Economic Development Officer - CLOSES: February 10, 2023

Position:	Economic Development Officer
Department:	Community Services and Strategic Partnerships
Division:	Economic Development and Tourism Services
Reports To:	Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Services

Community Services and Strategic Partnerships:
 

This department is responsible for developing and implementing Economic Development, Tourism and Communication strategies for the City. The department is also responsible for the management of all City facilities which includes the day-to-day operations of our Arenas and Marina. In addition, the department will be actively involved with developing and maintaining numerous strategic partnerships with various groups and organizations with whom the City of Quinte West engages.

 

Purpose and Scope:

 

Reporting to the Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Services, the incumbent will provide support to the Manager in the coordination and implementation of programs, objectives and policies to attract and support business investment.  It will include the promotion, growth and development of the municipality’s economic base through retention and expansion of existing businesses as well as business attraction activities to support business investment. It will include formulating marketing strategies for economic development initiatives, in conjunction with City staff and regional agencies.

   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, support and encourage new business investment.
• Coordinate the implementation of various projects and activities in the Economic Development area.
• Develop policies and administer programs and initiatives to attract investment opportunities and strategies to support growth in targeted areas.  This includes implementing the City’s Community Improvement Plans.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Community Engagement Division to analyze promotional and marketing campaigns to identify improvements, maintain and develop economic development content for the City website, and prepare content for the community profile and other economic development marketing materials.
• Develop and maintain  relevant reference material including up-to-date statistics and information on the community, including an industrial directory, brochures and buildings/lands inventory.
• Coordinate the promotion and sale of City industrial lands.
• Prepare reports related to economic development initiatives and land sales as required.
• Respond to daily inquiries; and oversee the coordination of economic development events/seminars, meetings and career fairs.
• Liaise with regional economic development professionals to implement regional economic development initiatives.
• Develop and maintain active contact with local businesses and economic development organizations and government agencies in order to be informed of current programs and services.
• Respond to inquiries and follow-up items resulting from committee and council meetings.
• Process all incoming revenues, accounts receivables/payables related to the delivery of economic development projects and functions and assist in the preparation of requests for quotations.
• Attend and represent the City at trade shows/conferences as deemed appropriate by the Manager.
• Coordinate and oversee the Front Street Farmers’ Market operations and act as the City liaison with the Market Clerk and vendors.
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning and overall professional development.
• Follow all guidelines for employees and employers as legislated under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, other applicable legislation, best practices, City policies and procedures where applicable.

  

The position will provide:

Customer Service

• Recognizing and understanding customers’ needs and delivering in a manner that meets customers’ reasonable expectations.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Effectively work and collaborate with others toward a common goal.
• Build and maintain cooperative work relationships with others.
• Complete tasks for group projects in a timely and responsible manner and directly contribute to reaching the group goal.
• Align with the strategic directions and departmental plans.

Planning and Organizing

• Effectively organize and plan work according to organizational needs by defining objectives and anticipating needs and priorities.
• Effectively handle multiple demands and competing deadlines.
• Identify goals, develop plans, estimate time frames and monitor progress.

Delivering Results

• Maintains a high level of commitment to get things done, is dependable and responsible.
• Takes responsibility for achieving outcomes and works effectively with little direction.

Problem Solving

• Solve challenging problems through careful and systematic evaluation of information, possible alternatives and consequences.
• Generate good solutions to difficult problems, considering many sources of information, systematically process and evaluate information against possible courses of action, and carefully deliberate before a final decision is made.

Note:  Above duties are representative of a typical position and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.

   

Contacts:

 

The position will have direct contact with:

 

Internal:         Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Services, Director of Community Services and Strategic Partnerships, City staff, Council members, and Committees of Council where required.

 

External:        General public, local business leaders, Business Organizations i.e. Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), Quinte Economic Development Commission (QEDC) and Federal and Provincial agencies, representatives of other municipalities, consultants where required.

Education/Specialized Training/Skills:

The position will require:

• A minimum of a three (3) year post-secondary degree or diploma specializing in Economic Development or Business.
• Must be capable of organizing work responsibilities associated with the position.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral including presentation skills.  A highly developed sense of tact and diplomacy when working with business leaders.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and team-building skills.
• The ability to manage and respond to stringent deadlines and to prioritize the same.
• Strong computer skills including Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Dayforce (or other similar systems).
• Strong and effective analytical, strategic, critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
• A valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence and clean driver’s abstract.

 

Nice to Have:

 

Although not required, the following would be considered a preferred asset to the position:

• A Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) designation from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) would be considered an asset.

 

Work Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in economic development or related field, within a municipal environment is required.

 

Decision Making:

The position is responsible for providing timely, accurate information, advice and reports to the Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Services, Director of Community Services and Strategic Partnerships, department staff and other City departments where appropriate.

Supervision:

• The position is responsible for the day to day supervision of staff within the division, as required; however has no formal supervisory responsibility over these staff, with respect to human resources, disciplinary, or budgetary matters.
• The position is required to undertake the administration, training and guidance of Market Clerk, students and staff.

Work Environment:

• Position works within an office environment.
• Work in an office environment on a regular basis.
• Work in an office environment with occasional exposure to outside elements.
• Regular requirement for extended hours (evening meetings, business events etc.).
• Attend evening Committee meetings when required.
• Occasional travel outside the municipal boundaries will be required on occasion.

Personal information and any supporting material are collected and administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The City of Quinte West is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 613-392-2841 ext. 1106 or hr@quintewest.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.  Applicants will be required to consent to the completion of a criminal reference check and the completion of a driver’s abstract, if deemed a requirement of the position.

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