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BC Local Government Job Posting Service
City of Revelstoke
Director of Community Economic Development
POSITION PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Director of Community Economic Development is expected to provide leadership, through broad community involvement, which promotes the economic well-being of the community while understanding that a social and environmentally healthy community is vital to creating a diverse and prosperous local economy for the City of Revelstoke and Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area B.
The Director will demonstrate innovative and effective community and economic development leadership to ensure ongoing and improved community sustainability for the City and Electoral Area B of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD).
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Community Economic Development is a key player in building community capacity, vitality, empowerment, self-reliance, and sustainability. The Director is responsible for effective liaison and partner relationships with a broad range of community organizations and agencies including Community Futures Revelstoke, the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Revelstoke, Revelstoke Accommodation Association, the CSRD’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) and others.
In addition to the community development role, the Director will work with the City and its Council, and the EDC to define strategic direction and develop an economic development strategy and associated business plan and budget. Key aspects of this work include strategic planning; economic analysis and planning; business attraction, retention and expansion; investment attraction; marketing and promotion; identification of regional and local business opportunities; consultation and advisement to businesses, organizations and investors; and associated media relations.
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
The Director reports to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for staff direction but works with the EDC and partner agencies and organizations to develop and implement a community economic development strategy within the context of a business plan, budget, and annual work plan. The community economic development strategy, annual business plan, budget and work plan will be reviewed by the EDC and submitted to City Council for consideration of approval.
The Director will prepare regular reports to Council on matters pertaining to community economic development, matters referred to the position by Council, the EDC, or the CAO. Final approval for all plans, activities, and the annual budget for the Department rests with City Council.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Provides for sustainable community economic development programs and services by:
- assessing and planning for community development needs.
- developing and implementing economic development and other strategic plans in balance with the Official Community Plan, Vision Statement, the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and other relevant data and the public.
- monitoring local economic conditions, activities, and strategic planning processes.
- providing advocacy and support to new business proponents, industry, community services and community organizations.
- undertaking special community development projects related to assessment, planning, monitoring, and liaison.
- supporting community organizational capacity building to achieve community priorities and objectives.
- Supports economic initiatives and business retention and development by:
- providing economic and business development information to interest groups, other levels of government, and business development proponents.
- promoting and supporting the continued development of our natural resource strengths.
- assessing information of significant economic impact and identifying issues for the community initiatives.
- maintaining relations and communications with existing business and industry while encouraging retention and expansion.
- encouraging the development or startup of new businesses to support existing industry.
- working towards the enhancement of community infrastructure including transportation and technology improvements.
- Develops and implements relevant marketing strategies and initiatives for the economic development of the City of Revelstoke and Electoral Area B by:
- identifying and utilizing marketing expertise to design and implement marketing campaigns consistent with community development strategies.
- developing resources required to support, implement, and monitor effective marketing campaigns.
- preparing applications on behalf of the City for community, business, and industry awards significant to the community's further promotion and attainment of status.
- Manages the community economic development function including:
- prepares applications for funding relevant to community economic development annual activities and programs.
- budget preparation and management.
- attendance at Council meetings, monthly Economic Development Commission meetings and designated task force, committee and external organizational meetings as required.
- supervision of staff.
- accessing and preparing reports on economic development activities.
- performance-based assessment and monitoring of activities and programs.
- communicates with and oversees the administration of contractors and consultants engaged in community economic development activities.
- implements systems and processes required for effective administration and collection of data.
- maintains an inventory of business community contacts.
- Provides support for City of Revelstoke and Electoral Area B initiatives and major projects by:
- supporting, administering, and managing City business activities related to major community development projects.
- supporting lobbying efforts of Council on economic development and community matters.
- undertaking special projects related to community development.
- coordinating and administering consultant, legal and other services necessary to meet the Department's business objectives.
- Undertakes activities which support effective communication of the community economic development function including:
- development and implementation of effective communication strategies.
- establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with Council, other public bodies and the volunteer based Economic Development Commission to be knowledgeable of the communities social, economic, and environmental goals and objectives.
- providing consultation, expertise, data, and interpretations of social/economic data.
- developing key contacts with governments and their agencies having expertise and/or resources for economic development initiatives or activities.
- representing the City of Revelstoke as assigned and initiated with economic development proponents, industries, governments, and prospective residents.
- liaison with regional, provincial, federal, and other municipal Economic Development Officers and professional associations with a view to sharing information, accessing resources, preventing duplication, and streamlining delivery of service to the community of Revelstoke.
- regular reporting of activities and program status updates to Council, outside agencies, and the community.
- extensive contact daily for the purpose of initiating, promoting, facilitating, and coordinating economic development within the Revelstoke area. Contacts include the business community, banks, utilities, the services and transportation sector, local business and developmental agencies including the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Revelstoke, Community Skills Centre, Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation, Columbia Basin Trust, Tourism Revelstoke, and Revelstoke Accommodation Association.
EDUCATION / TRAINING
- Personal Attributes
- ability to provide visionary leadership while making individual contributions to team projects and tasks.
- development of effective working relationships with individuals and groups having diverse interests, while finding innovative and practical solutions to challenges.
- excellent communication skills, listening, oral and written.
- proven personal judgement, discretion, and credibility.
- problem solving, consensus building, facilitation brokering, and entrepreneurial skills are assets.
- compassion and respect for less fortunate people coupled with a demonstrated commitment to assisting in improving their social and economic well-being.
- a broad general knowledge of business and government coupled with an ability to handle a variety of projects and tasks which must be completed within time deadlines.
- Knowledge and Experience
- a degree in community development, business, commerce, economics, or a related discipline.
- a minimum of five years of progressively responsible community economic development leadership.
- a member in good standing with the BC Economic Development Association or Economic Development Association of Canada.
- Certified Economic Developer Designation (Ec.D.) considered an asset.
- sound training in economic development, business management and public administration.
- development of effective processes leading to the successful implementation of community-based plans and strategies.
- negotiation and incorporation of collaborative-cooperative partnerships between the private, public and community sectors.
- negotiation of development contracts and the incorporation and governance of legal entities.
- an ability to undertake research projects and to prepare comprehensive written reports.
- application of Community Economic Development frameworks, principles and processes leading to the building of sustainable local economies.
- experience in developing and/or working with marketing strategies.
- Other
- proficient in the use of current information technology.
- valid BC Driver’s License.
- may be required to attend Council and Committee and other meetings (sometimes outside of regular working hours).
The City of Revelstoke offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, a supportive team-oriented work environment and opportunities for career and professional development.
Salary: $112,000 - $129,400
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please submit your resume and a covering letter including three references by 4:30pm on Friday, May 17th, 2024 to:
Jodie Allen, CPM, CPHR
Manager of Human Resources
PO Box 170, 216 Mackenzie Avenue
Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0
E-mail: [email protected]
The City of Revelstoke wishes to thank all applicants in advance for their interest.
However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Employment Length: Permanent
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Experience: 5 years or more
Rate: $112,000.00 to $129,400.00 Year
