JOB TITLE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT 3

JOB CODE: 16543

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

An employee in this job independently designs and implements strategies to provide a comprehensive range of community or economic development programs for businesses and manages a portfolio of projects intended to promote economic development or private sector job retention and creation. Work involves overseeing programs or program services intended to foster growth of Pennsylvania’s economy, advance international trade development, generate community development activities, promote foreign investment in Pennsylvania, or develop domestic or international tourism marketing programs. Work includes creating, reviewing, and updating program policies and operations; overseeing the development and coordination of program improvements; overseeing finances and expenditures; ensuring quality control of programs; and providing or overseeing the most visible community relations and liaison services. Work is performed with initiative, wide latitude, and independent judgment and is reviewed by an administrative supervisor 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 and managing portfolios for highly complex international, federal, state, or local community or economic development programs. Highly complex programs are generally programs with the highest economic impact, visibility, and political sensitivity.

• Work may involve supervising Economic Development Consultants 2 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.)

• Manages a portfolio of highly complex programs by formulating strategies and proposals for businesses and communities.

• Oversees the administration of programs that support community or economic development projects which include the development and enhancement of housing, community infrastructure, downtown renewal, and other social and economic programs.

• Directs the relocation or expansion operations in an assigned geographic region in the Commonwealth and evaluates the project validity to determine its impact to Pennsylvania’s economy.

• Identifies, qualifies, underwrites, and conducts due diligence on projects to recommend appropriate financial incentive packages for approval.

• Directs work with real estate representatives, site location advisors, developers, and local economic development organizations (EDOs) to identify available sites and buildings best matching requirements and coordinates field visits, permitting, loans, and related transactions for communities.

• Leads additional Commonwealth agencies and service providers in the process of responding to business interest in Pennsylvania including, but not limited to, environmental permitting, transportation improvements, workforce training, and business tax issues to provide accurate and prompt service.

• Leads the negotiation of state financial incentives with company executives or their representatives.

• Oversees negotiations with corporate and Commonwealth officials and the development of strategies and proposals to prevent businesses from closing or relocating.

• Designs and implements strategies to ensure Pennsylvania’s economic viability on local, state, or international levels.

• Evaluates models that involve key statistics and metrics driving leadership decision-making and strategy and provides input to senior leadership and other agency officials in the formulation or modification of programs or policies.

• Directs and supervises the development of domestic and international marketing plans and strategies to attract new or additional business and promote tourism.

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

• 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, community economic development organizations, and the media.

• Oversees statewide research and marketing projects to ensure thorough and accurate demographic information is provided to clients for site selection.

• Functions as a liaison with the Governor's executive staff, agency heads, local and regional community economic development officials and organizations, municipalities, and the public on issues related to domestic or international trade and business 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 other related duties 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 techniques used to analyze and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of agency programs and policies.

• 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 2 (Commonwealth title);

or

• Five 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.