Economic Development Director

Description

First review after four weeks: 7/4/2025

CORE VALUE STATEMENT
The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT
We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers; leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; and emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Under general direction of the Community Planning Director, develops, implements, and manages the City’s economic development strategy plan. This position is responsible for the development, recommendation and implementation of policies, programs and procedures that accomplish the City's goals and objectives to ensure the economic health and vitality of the City. This position works collaboratively with Community Planning and Public Works for business recruitment, retentions, and
expansion. This position provides highly responsible support to the City Council, City Manager, and Leadership Team. Work involves the use of initiative, project management, and independent judgement. This is a single position classification. It is not part of a series.

WORK SCHEDULE
The initial work schedule for this classification will be full-time, Monday through Friday. Early mornings, evenings, and weekend work may be occasionally required. This classification is exempt under the FLSA.

Examples of Work Performed (Illustrative Only)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification but should not be considered all-inclusive. The incumbent will be expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

• Development of short and long-term economic development plans, as well as gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports, and recommendations to achieve such goals.
• Proposes measurable outcomes and manages efforts to achieve economic development, such as job creation goals established by the City Council; outreach to attract new and retain existing employers to the City of Kennewick; and entrepreneurial and business climate support in alignment with Council’s vision for our strategic opportunity centers.
• Responds to site selector and developer inquiries regarding locating in the City of Kennewick to include providing information on applicable real estate listings, market analytics, demographics, available utilities and other pertinent information. Including assisting selectors, developers, business owners, and entrepreneurs in coordinating with internal departments regarding their economic development interests.
• Provides coordination and leadership of economic development initiatives and Council priorities, such as rivershore conveyance, workforce development, placemaking activities, downtown revitalization, and tourism.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local businesses and property owners to facilitate economic development opportunities, supporting both business retention/recruitment efforts and property redevelopment initiatives that benefit all stakeholders.
• Plan and conduct business visits within target industries to generate job creating projects, opportunities for workforce training grants, and to support the needs of local business.
• Connects developers and businesses with the appropriate internal and external services to navigate the development process, business licensing, and municipal code compliance inherent in successfully doing business in Kennewick.
• Develops and manages the City’s Economic Development Marketing Plan based on the City Council’s goals and priorities, and collaborates with the Communication & Marketing Specialist to implement the plan.
• Researches, develops and recommends new emerging communication methods, technologies, and enhancements to better market the City of Kennewick as related to economic development.
• Assists in the management of the economic development website and social media postings. Responsible for creating and updating content for economic development and business recruitment efforts.
• Seeks local, state, and federal grants to support City priorities; communicates grant opportunities to City departments; and helps coordinate application for public and private grants.
• Provides technical expertise on issues such as incentives, regulations, and other issues pertaining to economic development.
• Provides leadership in the area of special events such as dedications, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and receptions; shop local initiatives; business appreciation events and campaigns; and legislative and site selector tours.
• Attends tradeshows to market the Tri-Cities region, with an emphasis on business recruitment to Kennewick; makes business contacts and follows up with prospects.
• Develops and implements business retention & expansion measures, intended to reduce businesses relocating outside of the City and attract new, complimentary businesses that create sector synergy and support entrepreneurship.
• Maintains partnerships and collaborates with regional economic development and planning organizations, ports, chambers of commerce, downtown association, tourism bureau, civic groups, business owners, and community development-related organizations and agencies.
• Assists in developing and managing the division budget.
• Coordinates the City of Kennewick’s Sustainability Program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in economic development, business/public administration, or related field and five (5) or more years of substantial experience in planning, economic and/or community development and strategic communications, preferably in a local government environment. In addition, various disciplines of economic development including primary sector recruitment, retention, and expansion are highly desired. The City may consider any combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties listed above.

• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Washington driver’s license.
• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of this classification.

Supplemental Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices including program development, implementation, and project management.
• Basic math skills and accounting. Ability to formulate and evaluate financial proposals and analyze “deals.”
• Principles and practices of advanced strategic planning, project planning, public communication, plan development, and the production of support materials.
• Principles and practices of public/media relations, public speaking, community relations, economic development, marketing, and advertising; research methods, techniques, and public involvement strategies; methods to develop strategic communication in a rapidly changing environment; implementing creative marketing plans and developing multi-media presentations.
• Communication techniques including verbal, written, online, media, and other technology, along with how to strategically apply them in a municipal environment.

Skills & Ability to:

• Organizational skills to effectively manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Must be able to analyze data, determine trends, and apply the results
• Ability to anticipate reactions from public, elected officials, business community, and governmental agencies to manage various situations.
• Utilize word processing and other software to efficiently carry out work assignments.
• Research, analyze, and compose reports, research papers, and documents that clearly communicate the subject matter.
• Work with a high degree of autonomy, exercising personal initiative.
• Maintain confidentiality of politically sensitive materials and information.
• Build and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external customers and contacts.
• Remain flexible to changing priorities, multi-task, and work independently.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements:
To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to meet the following physical requirements: must regularly talk, hear/listen, see/observe, sit, stand and walk; must regularly demonstrate fine motor skills; must occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.

The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time City of Kennewick Non-Contract employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through City Council or administrative action or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Paid Holidays
12 per year (9 scheduled; 3 “floating”)
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and three floating holidays selected by the employee. An employee will accrue one of the three floating holidays on each of the following days: February 1, February 12, and August 31. An employee will only accrue a floating holiday on these days if actually employed.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
The purpose of PTO is to compensate employees for absences due to injury, illness, vacation and personal business. In addition, the program is designed to provide employees with personal flexibility regarding the use of leave hours. PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual per Month:
0-5yrs 6-9yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30+yrs
12 hours 15 hours 17 hours 19 hours 21 hours 23 hours 25 hours

Retirement Plan
All City employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. ( www.drs.wa.gov )

PERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 6.36% 9.11%
Plan III Employee Choice (see booklet) 9.11%

Deferred Comp
The City contributes an equivalent of 5% of your regular monthly salary to Mission Square Retirement (previously ICMA) deferred compensation program. No employee match required, but employees may contribute towards plan if desired. ( www.icmarc.org )

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
The City currently pays the entire dental and vision insurance premiums for the employee and dependents. Employee current premium share is $200.00 per month for medical insurance to cover themselves and dependents.

Life Insurance
1.5 x annual salary (not to exceed $250K) provided by the City of Kennewick. Employee may purchase Voluntary Term Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Long Term Disability
The City pays the entire long-term disability premium for employees through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home. A City Wellness Committee promotes and provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Employee fitness center is open to all employees and their spouses.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Plan (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave
• Overtime
• Direct Deposit (paydays are 5th and 20th of the month)

Closing Date/Time: 7/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Kennewick

• (509) 585-4240

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