ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Beautiful Coastal Community
Mediterranean Climate
Excellent Quality of Life Environment  

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Under administrative direction, to implement the goals, strategies, policies and programmatic framework for economic development in the unincorporated areas, in order to build on the economic base, enhance financial sustainability of the County, and promote community values for quality jobs, a protected environment, and a robust business climate. The incumbent will plan, direct, and evaluate the efficacy of economic development and revitalization strategies, programs and activities which will be undertaken in collaboration with public agencies, the cities, educational institutions, businesses and community groups in the region, and to do other work as required.

THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz County has approximately 272,000 residents and is situated in the northern area of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. The County’s natural beauty is apparent in its pristine beaches, redwood forests, rich farmland and vineyards. It has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and 300 days of sunshine a year. There is a multitude of culture and recreational activities, including theatre, music, art, golfing, surfing, hiking, and biking, restaurants and wineries. Higher education includes Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two additional State Universities less than an hour’s drive away. These elements of high quality living make Santa Cruz one of California’s most desirable living areas.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in economics, business, finance, or a closely related field. (A master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.)

AND

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic development or a closely related field. A master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of professional experience.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of economic/business development strategies, program administration, and resources, including methods for business attraction and retention; organizational and management principles and practices used in the analysis, evaluation, design, planning, construction, and project management of large-scope development projects; the principles and practices of researching and analyzing the economic feasibility of local community and business development projects; the principles and practices involved in the acquisition, disposition, relocation, demolition, construction and rehabilitation of real property; methods of financing economic development projects, the financial mechanics involved in real property transactions, and redevelopment finance trends and practices; the principles and practices of Request for Proposal/Qualification planning, development, administration and evaluation; the principles and practices of contract negotiation methods and techniques, contract development and contract administration; the principles and practices of grant writing, application, and administration; marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used in economic development; the principles of planning, including the general plan, zoning, and design review; and the functions and relationships between private and public sector groups in the economic community. Working knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of economic research and statistical analysis; occupational fields and labor market opportunities and trends; approaches for linking employment training and economic development programs; the principles and practices of financial forecasting, budget preparation and budget administration; land-use planning principles, practices, and trends at the local level; and federal, state and local policies, laws, rules, and regulation relating to economic development and financing. Some knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; the principles and practices of conflict resolution; codes and regulations covering commercial development; and local government organizational structure, functions, and management.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation, approved by the appointing authority.

VACATION – 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years service. Available after 1 year service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE – One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accrued each year; can be taken in cash or time off.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE – Six days per year; after 6 months.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with PERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $50,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN – Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum.
DEPENDANT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
FLEXIBLE HEALTH ALLOWANCE (FHA) – A portion of the County’s contribution to employee health insurance that allows employees to have health plan purchase options. Employees who are enrolled in a County medical plan can participate in this program.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
AUTOMATIC CHECK DEPOSIT – Required for all employees in this bargaining unit.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Application Deadline:                                                                      Friday, August 14, 2015

Review of minimum qualifications
and competitive screening based
on experience, education and
response to supplemental questions:                                          Approximately week of August 17, 2015

Examination*:                                                                           Approximately week of August 31, 2015

*You may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application.

APPLICATION PROCESS

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.  Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer