City of Fort Wayne

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the UEA/SEED Manager, incumbent assists in the development, implementation, and administration of business assistance and development opportunities to further the city’s economic development efforts. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism and the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and Hard Tech staff support for the development, implementation, and management of multiple business development incentives and grant programs such as façade grants, SEED grants, and CEDIT Grants;
• Monitors and coordinates various economic development projects including business expansions and business attraction efforts in conjunction with other economic development partners;
• Acts as an advocate for businesses needing special assistance with the city and other agencies when such advocacy is consistent with economic development interests;
• Visits local businesses to ascertain concerns, future plans, and provides information regarding available business assistance programs;
• Develops and maintains favorable business relations including job creation activities;
• Acts as an advocate for new businesses needing special assistance with the City and other agencies when such advocacy is consistent with economic development interests;
• Monitors and coordinates various entrepreneurial and/or innovation activities to support the city’s goals for new business development;
• Provides staff support for “starting a business” inquiries;
• Serves as liaison to local, regional, state and federal Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs);
• Attends various meetings, making presentations when required;
• Maintains department database, spreadsheets, and word processing files;
• Answers inquiries and refers specific problems to the appropriate department, organization, or agency;
• Prepares handouts, reports, articles, and special projects as required;
• Develops and implements programs/events to strengthen local business opportunities under division direction;
• Assists with Community Development Division special projects as needed.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The incumbent is responsible to manage their performance in accordance with this job description and the performance expectations provided to them by management. If at any time the incumbent is unsure of their role or specific responsibilities, it is the incumbent’s responsibility to refer to their job description and ask for clarification from their supervisor. Management will work with the incumbent, as needed, to ensure performance expectations are clearly communicated and performance goals are achieved.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

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

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from a four-year college or university and one to two years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and/or ABILITIES                                          

• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing;
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of economic development;
• General knowledge of local government and its impact upon economic development in the public and private sectors;
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common economic development and community development journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquires or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community and citizens. Ability to effectively present information to managers, colleagues, elected officials, private organizations, and groups and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations and the ability to use such concepts in generation of computer database, spreadsheets and word processing documents.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Indiana Driver’s License, if City vehicle is used.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of 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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hand to find, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIROMMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.