JOB TITLE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT 2

JOB CODE: 16542

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional consultative work in the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

An employee in this job independently plans, organizes, and directs a broad range of international, federal, state, or local community or economic development programs and program services to foster the growth of Pennsylvania’s economy by retaining, expanding, or developing businesses and related economic services. Work involves providing consultative international economic development services for the export of commodities and services or the promotion of foreign investment in Pennsylvania, or for complex projects or programs at the federal, state, or local level that are large, visible, or politically sensitive. Work includes reviewing and updating program policies and operations; overseeing the development and coordination of program improvements; monitoring and advising on financial and technical assistance and negotiating Pennsylvania’s provision of financial and technical assistance resources; ensuring quality control of programs; and providing or overseeing highly visible community relations and liaison services. Work is performed with initiative, wide latitude, and independent judgment under the general direction of an administrative supervisor and is reviewed for effectiveness through reports, conferences, achievement of objectives, program effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Non-supervisory work is differentiated from the lower level job based on the responsibility for independently providing consultative services for international economic development programs or complex federal, state, or local community or economic development programs.

     • Work may involve supervising Economic Development Consultants 1 or positions at a comparable level.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Designs and implements strategies for providing projects, programs, and services to ensure Pennsylvania’s economic viability on the international, federal, state, or local levels.

• Provides consultative services to out-of-state and international companies to attract new businesses, expand existing businesses, and foster the growth of exporting commodities and services.

• Leads negotiations of state funded financial incentive packages for state, national, or international companies considering establishing, relocating, and expanding businesses.

• Responds to unsolicited business leads from office directors, regional offices, and the legislature regarding projects and services expected to involve increased complexity due to size, visibility, or political sensitivity, and assists companies in their establishment or expansion in Pennsylvania.

• Leads negotiations of state funded financial incentive packages for companies considering closure by meeting with corporate and Commonwealth officials to evaluate company status, determine financial support for business retention, and facilitate project through to completion.

• Markets Pennsylvania and provides technical assistance to out-of-state and international businesses to attract new or expand existing businesses to foster the growth of exporting Pennsylvania commodities and services.

• Works with real estate representatives, developers, and local and state agencies to identify sites and buildings for development and coordinates permitting, loans, and related transactions for communities.

• Analyzes, interprets, and recommends revisions to laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to community or economic development and assesses the impact on businesses and communities.

• Oversees the processing and analysis of grant and loan applications to determine feasibility of projects and ensure eligibility requirements are appropriate.

• Participates in trade shows, meetings, conferences, and seminars to discuss business climate and community or economic development services offered by Pennsylvania.

• Prepares or reviews reports and provides presentations on domestic or international trade and business development to public officials, special interest groups, trade associations, service providers, municipalities, c organizations, and the media.

• Functions as a liaison with the Governor's executive staff, agency representatives, local and regional community economic development officials and organizations, municipalities, and the public on issues pertaining to domestic or international trade and community or economic development.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to community and economic development.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of community and economic development.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of financial management.

• Knowledge of the resources utilized in economic analysis such as economic journals, working papers, and other data sources.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year of experience as an Economic Development Consultant 1 (Commonwealth title);

or

• Four years of professional experience in community or economic planning and development programs, and a bachelor's degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.