Director of Economic Development

Hiring Range: $132,950.00 - $172,831.00

Salary Range: $132,950.00 - $192,777.00

Open until Filled

Summary
Working under the direction of the Town Manager/FURA Executive Director, directs, manages, and supervises all Economic Development Department activities. Facilitates business development and redevelopment for the Town of Firestone, including business attraction, retention and expansion, commercial development and redevelopment in compliance with the municipal code. The Director of Economic Development works closely with all members of management to ensure that his/her responsibilities are effectively and consistently discharged in a way that achieves and maintains the excellence standards set forth by the Town.

Click the links to view the Town of Firestone Employee Benefits Guide and Employee Premium Guide.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The below list is intended to illustrate the responsibilities of the position and is not all-encompassing. The Town may change these duties at any time.

• Plans, directs, coordinates and reviews the work plan for staff; assigns work activities, projects and programs
• Develops policies and procedures regarding economic development activities and makes recommendations to the Town Manager/FURA Executive Director
• Serves on committees and attends meetings of community partner organizations to further Department and Town goals and monitor the business environment
• Prepares and implements urban renewal and economic development goals and priorities; coordinates policy determination regarding re/development projects; manages urban renewal/business development projects
• Organizes and oversees the development of, and monitors all aspects of the Town’s Firestone Urban Renewal Authority (FURA) plan areas
• Prepares financial and technical analysis, economic and fiscal impact reports, and other planning, marketing and real estate analyses for consideration by Town staff, Board of Trustees, FURA Board and other groups when re/development projects and/or public investment are proposed
• Establishes and maintains a visible and accessible public profile
• Participates in public outreach, encourages community participation in development projects; actively markets opportunities for development
• Collaborates with the Marketing & Communications Department to create marketing materials for economic development and urban renewal efforts, social media content, and web pages, including tools available for re/development, business attraction, retention and expansion, and the community in general
• Oversees the development of statistical data, property inventories, feasibility analyses, business resources, and information related to re/development
• Responds to inquiries and provides timely follow-up to existing and prospective businesses, commercial and residential real estate brokers, developers and investors interested in re/development in the Town
• Serves as a liaison between developers, property/business owners and Town development review staff; provides assistance to potential incoming and existing businesses, and coordinates meetings
• Represents and promotes the Town at regional, State, and national events, meetings, trade shows and conferences
• Maintains knowledge of State statutes and local ordinances, procedures and trends
• Assists with applications for grants and associated agreements
• Oversees the preparation, coordination, and presentation of the department's annual budget
• Collaborates with and provides technical assistance to Town staff and any consultant teams related to re/development opportunities, economic and market analysis and implementation strategies
• Develops and administers the implementation of a development finance toolbox to support, encourage and catalyze public/private investment in physical re/development and business; creates and negotiates re/development and incentive agreements
• Participates in ongoing training for personal and professional development

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required:

• Knowledge of principles, practices and legal requirements of redevelopment, housing, commercial and mixed-use development, real estate finance, marketing, economic development and urban/regional planning
• Knowledge of core economic development principles, including business recruitment, attraction, and retention
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, and regulations governing development
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including providing training, guidance, mentorship and evaluation of performance
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and communicate municipal code regulations
• Knowledge of financial reporting and budget preparation
• Knowledge of statistical and research methods, including use of specialized software applications
• Ability to build effective relationships as needed with employees, government officials, contractors, vendors, and the public
• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely
• Ability to plan, coordinate and review work relevant to the Town’s Urban Renewal and economic development
• Ability to interpret municipal code relative to redevelopment and new development
• Ability to identify appropriate methods to provide effective and efficient urban renewal and economic development programs
• Ability to negotiate contracts
• Ability to prepare and analyze economic studies, data, financial statements, marketing studies, plans, specs and bid documents
• Acts in accordance with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation & IEDC code of ethics
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle confidential issues with tact and discretion
• Ability to make effective public presentations
• Ability to use a standard computer and software including word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications

Education and Experience:

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the administration of redevelopment, economic development, and/or land use planning programs with at least four (4) years of responsible project management experience is required
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Business, Public Administration or Economics or a related field is required, Master’s degree and/or Certified Economic Developer preferred
• Experience associated with initiating complex redevelopment projects is preferred
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Colorado Driver License and satisfactory driving record required

Physical Activities:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Body Movement:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is consistently required to sit, frequently stand and walk, use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, and rarely stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
On rare occasions, the employee may be required to climb and balance. The employee must occasionally carry, pull, push, or lift up to 20 pounds.

The employee must be physically able to operate various computers and office equipment successfully to fulfill the essential functions of this position.

Vision:
Employees must be able to consistently see with near and far acuity, depth perception, color vision, and field vision.

Hearing:
Employees must have the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds (e.g., machinery, telephones, doorbell, alarms); communicate clearly and effectively; understand and be understood; be able to consistently engage in ordinary conversations.

At the Town of Firestone, we recognize the contributions each employee makes to assist us in achieving Town-wide goals. Because of this, we are committed to providing our employees with a total compensation package comprised of benefits, financial security, and work/life balance. Our benefit package includes:

• Medical – You may choose from (3) Medical Plans under Cigna’s Open Access Plans (OAP) which includes (2) High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and (1) Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan
• Dental - Employees are eligible for 100% premium -employer-paid dental coverage through Delta Dental
• Vision - Employees are eligible for 100% premium -employer-paid vision coverage through VSP

Employer-paid supplemental benefits include:

• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Extended Paid Leave (EPL) accrued up to a maximum of 280 hours
• Thirteen (13) Paid Holidays
• Sixteen (16) hours of Paid Volunteer Leave
• HSA Contribution to Choice Plan HDHP
• Employee Education Assistance/Reimbursement up to $2,000 annually
• Membership to Firestone Anytime Fitness and Carbon Valley Recreation Center
• Training and development for Certification and Licensure programs
• National and/or Statewide Association Affiliation fees
• Professional Retirement Assessment Assistance
• Flu-Shingles-Covid Vaccination Clinics

You are also able to elect supplemental benefits at the employee's cost, which include:

• Accident/Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Coverages (employee elected/paid)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Coverage for Employee/Spouse and Dependents (employee elected/paid)
• Cyber Security Coverage through Norton LifeLock (employee elected/paid)
• SPOT Pet Insurance (employee elected/paid)
• Verizon discount program

In compliance with 41 CFR 60-2 The Town of Firestone provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and Town ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

The Town of Firestone expressly prohibits any form of unlawful harassment or discrimination. Any person with questions or concerns about the Town’s practices relative to equal employment opportunities is encouraged to bring these matters to the attention of the Human Resources department.

The Town of Firestone’s Affirmative Action Plan manages and ensures that equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees.