Economic Development Analyst II

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.
The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.
Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Organizational Background
The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is a cross-sector membership organization serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, with 25+ years of leadership and collaborative history. The region’s service area includes 1,540 sq. miles, which cover approximately 22% of the Bay Area. The East Bay’s 2.5 million residents represent over a third of the Bay Area’s population, and it is growing faster than any other part of the Bay Area region.

As a regional economic development organization recognized by the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development, East Bay EDA represents a broad network that connects local community and business leaders to regional, state and national resources. East Bay EDA creates accurate, original information about the region through commissioned studies and economic reports, and promotes economic development efforts at the sub-region and city levels through regular peer engagement, assistance with data analysis, professional development and other support services for local government and business leadership. Companies in specific industry sectors and companies at various stages of development also benefit directly from business resources, services and introductions that East Bay EDA provides, implements and facilitates.

The East Bay Region & East Bay EDA
East Bay EDA is fortunate to be located in the middle of one of the world’s most dynamic economies and enjoys many advantages such as:

• Logistics and Transportation - the nation’s fifth largest container port, a FedEx regional distribution hub, an international airport, and a comprehensive freeway and rail system make the East Bay the logistics center that connects Northern California to the Asia/Pacific market, while BART and other public transportation systems make it a strong commuter hub.

Major leaders of these industries work together through East Bay EDA's Committees and partnerships to stay informed and collaborate on specific projects to enhance the infrastructure of the region.

• Research and Development – the nation’s highest rated graduate research institution, with the highest rate of venture capital investment, and three National Laboratories along with over 20 specialized research facilities and a number of privately funded research facilities launch R &D and manufacturing companies throughout our region.

East Bay EDA's annual Economic Outlook report is the sole source and highly valued research for information specific to the East Bay. It is frequently used by businesses, investors, educators, nonprofit organizations, philanthropists and government.

• Innovation – one of the nation’s most diverse and heavily concentrated clusters of clean technology development and a broad concentration of innovative companies annually attracting an average of $1 billion in venture capital investment – enough to rank the East Bay comparable among the top half dozen states in the country.

The annual East Bay Innovation Awards, championed and hosted by East Bay EDA, celebrates and strengthens the East Bay business brand and raises awareness of the tremendous synergy of innovation implemented across industry clusters growing in the East Bay region.

• Workforce – an ethnically diverse workforce that facilitates global business and that has 30% more college graduates and 40% more advanced degrees than the national average, is supported by a comprehensive regional workforce development system.

East Bay EDA convenes and participates in special research on the East Bay workforce and continues to encourage and support regional efforts that address business support, education, training and incentives that lead to sustainable employment. With its leadership, East Bay EDA champions the importance of STEM education and supports best models of employer-led engagement for workforce development.

• Space – the East Bay is home to the Bay Area’s greatest availability of affordable prime land and facilities for commercial, industrial and residential development and use.

East Bay EDA continues to build deeper cross-sector communication bridges to help inform and identify opportunities to enhance our regional capacity for business attraction and expansion.

• Quality of Life - a combination of urban and suburban amenities including the largest urban park system in the country, the nation’s best climate, renowned restaurant and entertainment venues, cultural diversity and preservation, and relatively lower costs explain why the East Bay has experienced the highest rate of population growth anywhere in the highly desirable Bay Area.

East Bay EDA creates opportunities for regional marketing for business relocation, expansion and growth, and promotes the assets of the East Bay through studies, the media and other communication tools.

East Bay EDA Leadership
East Bay EDA seeks out diverse members who recognize the extraordinary value of these resources and who can help the East Bay unlock its full potential as a global leader and an unrivaled place to live and work. Alliance membership includes Fortune 500 represented corporations, private sector businesses, counties, cities, special districts, foundations and nonprofit organizations. Chambers of commerce, workforce providers, business assistance organizations and educational institutions are partners of the Alliance. In all, 110 diverse organizations make up the Alliance’s membership to date. Members and partners participate in our eight Committees to lend their expertise and leadership to prioritize work and allocate resources to address business attraction and growth in our region. Current Committees include:

   Business Development & Resources

   Economic Development Directors’ Council

   Employer Advisory for Education/Workforce
   Development

   International Trade & Investment

   Land Use & Infrastructure

   Legislation & Advocacy

   Marketing & Communications

   Membership Engagement

 

 

The East Bay EDA's governing arm, their Executive Committee, is comprised of representatives from the Alameda and Contra Costa County Boards of Supervisors, their Mayor Conferences, their City Manager Associations, their Economic Development Directors’ Council, and also includes both County Administrators.

The Executive Committee also includes “E” and “C” level business representatives comprising half of the governing arm, and representatives from K-12 education, post-secondary education, labor, utilities, National Laboratories, environmental organizations, special districts, the Port of Oakland, regional nonprofits and regional philanthropy. The Executive Committee has operational and fiscal oversight of the organization, and oversees the work of the eight Committees to ensure their work is relevant to current issues, seeking appropriate resources and partnerships, and impacting business success.

East Bay EDA is a member-driven organization, and the East Bay EDA team serves to implement work that supports goal priorities directed by the East Bay EDA Committees, that become the organization’s Strategic Plan.

The East Bay EDA Team
Fully staffed, the East Bay EDA team represents 7.0 FTE. The Economic Development Analyst II is a senior position on the East Bay EDA team. Although each team member has his/her key areas of responsibility, the team environment allows for support and assistance from and to fellow team members as needed.  The Economic Development Analyst II shall, from time to time, be assigned to be a project manager for a specific activity and may supervise other team members.  The Economic Development Analyst II shall be the key staff support for a number of East Bay EDA Committees and will be expected to work closely with Committee Chairs and/or Co-Chairs.

For this specific position in the Economic Development Analyst II classification, advanced skills and experience in communications, government affairs and committee/board staff are highly desirable.

Key Areas of Responsibility for the Economic Development Analyst II
Typical areas of responsibility may include:

 · Serves as the key staff support for East Bay EDA’s Legislation & Advocacy, Land Use & Infrastructure, and Marketing & Communications Committees.  

· Represents East Bay EDA in legislative-related committees and meetings, such as those associated with the  R.E.A.L Coalition, the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Alameda and Contra Costa Mayor Conferences, transportation and goods movement advisory committees, and other such entities.

· Conducts presentations on the economic development climate of the East Bay, indicators and other related data to organizations such as the League of California Cities, the county Mayor Conferences, local educational institutions, county Leadership Academies, chambers of commerce, city economic development committees, and other entities related to East Bay EDA members and partners.

· Conducts economic development trainings for the Economic Development Directors’ Council, county workforce development board staff, county social services staff, and other groups benefitting from East Bay EDA developed curriculum to advance professionals in economic, community, workforce and business development fields.

· Leads the East Bay EDA team as the project manager of its annual Legislative Reception, honoring legislators and engaging members and special guests with legislators and their staff.

· Serves as the key East Bay EDA team member cultivating legislative staff relationships to secure legislators’ participation in visits to Sacramento, local business roundtables, Committee meetings and events.

· Tracks, reviews, interprets and monitosr legislation related to land use and infrastructure, business development, workforce development, housing, international trade, and other priority areas of East Bay EDA for the purpose of educating Committees of the need for studying, endorsing or opposing support.

· Creates and implements educational forums for East Bay EDA leadership, members and partners on legislative concerns and measures.

· Reviews and updates the East Bay EDA Legislative Platform as needed, and develops an organizational position on non-candidate ballot items with East Bay EDA leadership.

· Partners with entities such as the League of California Cities, CALED, the R.E.A.L. Coalition, the Bay Area Business Roundtable, the East Bay Broadband Coalition and other groups who track legislation related to East Bay EDA priorities.  

· Creates press advisories and releases related to East Bay EDA initiatives, events and leadership actions, and cultivates strong relationships with local media representatives.

· Uses advanced writing and editing skills to create and proofread reports, external communications,  legislative endorsement letters, editorials, media articles, Committee materials and notes, formal letters, presentations and other materials generated from East Bay EDA.

· Works collaboratively with other East Bay EDA team members, Executive Committee members, Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs, and general members in a manner that is respectful, flexible, responsive and professional.   

The Ideal Candidate
East Bay EDA’s unique cross-sector leadership and infrastructure requires a team that is comfortable communicating with diverse sectors in regional, collaborative efforts.   Team members have frequent interface with high level representatives from business, government, special districts, the non-profit community, organized labor and education.  Officers and Executive Committee members include a high number of elected officials and executive-level business persons.  The ideal candidate will have previous experience with each of these groups, and work tenure in the private and public work environments, in a way that builds consensus and identifies and helps achieve mutual goals.

All candidates will have a proven track record of providing professional level administrative and technical support in the area of economic development and analysis in a cross sector environment.  Previous experience supervising staff and serving as an executive assistant is highly desirable.

Furthermore, qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, city and regional planning or a related field.  Qualified candidates must have also completed a Basic Economic Development Course (or other courses of similar content and depth) and attended at least one CALED Annual Conference.  Other courses of similar content and depth, or the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible full-time professional level experience in economic or community development, program administration, research or a closely related field may be substituted for course and conference completion. 

In lieu of the above, the ideal candidate must have the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible full-time professional level experience in economic or community development, program administration research or a closely related field.  Possession of a Master’s degree in a related field, can be substituted for one year of experience.

In addition to the minimum qualifications stated above, the ideal candidate for the position of Economic Development Analyst II will have a professional reputation as follows:  

· A strategic thinker, able to determine long-term goals and then identify the best approach to achieve those goals.

· A leader known for managing work groups by inspiring and advising participants, facilitating goal accomplishments, tracking and evaluating performance to ensure success, and utilizing inclusive and collaborative processes.

· A respected communicator and listener, quick and clear in thinking, transparent, and calm under pressure.

· A flexible team member able to perform while experiencing changes in work priorities and addressing multiple, simultaneous tasks, taking prompt, but thoughtful action to accomplish objectives.

· A resourceful worker, knowledgeable of regional efforts and leaders, with the ability to avoid duplication and develop partnerships as needed.

· A self-directed problem-solver with high standards for quality, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to public service.

· A professional who values the time, resources and commitment of others, and who can position leadership for appropriate acknowledgment.

· An innovative thinker who combines ideas in unique ways and who can explore situations from multiple perspectives while quickly calculating risks and initiating action to achieve a recognized benefit.

· An organized worker who is goal oriented, and who ensures that work activity is consistent with agreed upon priorities and metrics for success.

Economic Development Analyst II:

Either I

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the class of Economic Development Analyst I in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a related field of economics or city regional planning preferred. The completion of a Basic Economic Development Course (or other courses of similar content and depth) and attendance at least one CALED Annual Conferences (or other courses of similar content and depth.

Or III

The equivalent of three years of progressively responsible full-time professional level experience in economic or community development, program administration, research or a closely related field; a Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of experience.

And

A recommendation for selection by an Independent Review Board that conducts an oral and written examination will be required of all candidates.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The ideal candidate should possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities.

• The principles, practices and issues of economic and community development including industrial retention, development and recruitment, strategic planning, resource development and marketing.
• Federal, state and local economic development/business resource programs.
• Resources and practices utilized in urban, regional economic development programs.
• The preparation, review and dissemination of technical reports (technical writing skills).
• Statistical and analytical techniques applicable to economic and demographic data. 

Working Knowledge of:

• Fiscal and budgetary practices and funding sources.
• Principles of administration, organization and management.
• Techniques used in group dynamics, negotiation and consensus building.
• Computers and software (Microsoft Word, Access, Excel & Outlook and Adobe Acrobat).
• Use of the internet to conduct research, access data, reports and related news.
• The principles and techniques of report writing and organizational and operational analysis.

Desired Knowledge of:

• Federal, state and local environmental agencies and their role with other agencies and the business community.
• How to utilize website editing and publication software like Microsoft FrontPage, Expression Web or Dreamweaver to maintain and create webpages or websites on the internet.
• How to utilize a database program like Microsoft Access to import, format, analyze, create queries, link to, manage and update information.
• How to design, use an RFP and manage a contract with consultants and service providers.
• How to develop and implement a regional economic development program, including proactive outreach and communications, marketing strategies and collateral materials.
• Research  and its use to prepare complex economic development proposals.

Ability to:

• Analyze technical, legal and financial documents and interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, laws and ordinances.
• Organize work, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines and use creative ways to resolve issues.
• Work effectively with public officials, business leaders, financial institutions, citizen groups and department managers in interdepartmental and diverse team environments.
• Effectively communicate technical information, verbally and in writing, to the business community, news media and through public presentations.
• Establish and maintain a positive customer service attitude and work effectively with internal and external customers, in a highly visible position.
• Maintain assignment flexibility and be able to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Learn new software programs and communications systems.
• Utilize letters, newsletters and the internet to communicate effectively with staff, members, business clients and prospects.

The examination will consist of the following steps:
A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process; review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. Those candidates scoring highest on the screening for best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process, an oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.  We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing:                                                     5:00pm, Friday, May 20, 2016
Review of Minimum Qualifications:                                                       June 3, 2016
Review of SQ for best qualified:                                                          June 17, 2016
Panel Interviews:                                                                                 June 28, 2016

*The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance (Employer Credit)
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Group Legal
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments.

You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page. Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs.

You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Sam Gee,
Personnel Services Manager
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-267-9492

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer