Chief Economic Development Officer

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to: Greg Nelson | |

City

Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on, visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.

Position

Under the general administrative direction of the City Manager, plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations that are broad in scope and involve highly sensitive and publicly visible operations, projects, and processes that require a high degree of policy, program, and administrative discretion, and high ethical standards. Provides advice and strategic leadership to the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, and other department directors in the development of short- and long-term strategic plans. This position collaborates with a broad range of officials, both internal and external to the organization, business leaders, development professionals, and the general public to achieve the City’s goals and objectives.

As a member of the City's unclassified service, this is an "at-will" position, and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the City Manager.

• Assume full management responsibility for services and activities including economic development, redevelopment, and business programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of strategic goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned area.
• Establish, within City policy, appropriate services, and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Create and implement economic development strategies and policies which capitalize on existing assets and identify new development opportunities for maximum economic vitality and value; and proactively identify existing business assets and needs, and provide outreach strategies to facilitate development consistent with those opportunities.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Office of Economic Development department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Negotiate, administer, and measure third-party entity performance related to contracts and agreements. Perform selection processes for consultant services, contracts, and development agreements to ensure fiscal compliance and delivery of desired results.
• Develop and manage the economic development strategy for the City; manage continuing efforts in redevelopment and community development strategies.
• Oversee the operations and implementation of a variety of public programs.
• Promote redevelopment activities within the City; persuade property owners to enhance their property, persuade business developers to invest in the City; assist business owners in securing appropriate business locations.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Represent the Office of Economic Development to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the City Manager, participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of economic development, redevelopment, and business programs.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the “Work Experience” section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. “Full-time work” means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as “desirable” or “preferred” are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible economic development experience, including one (1) year of management and administrative responsibility, is required.
• Experience working in a public sector agency is preferred. (Public sector agency includes State, County, School, or City Government, Law Enforcement, or other Public Sector Agency.)

Training

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in economics, community development, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

License or Certificates

• Possession of or an ability to obtain at the time of appointment, an appropriate valid California driver license with a satisfactory driving record is required.
• Real estate and/or property management license/certification is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Must be willing and able to work various hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Incumbent will be enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation, physical, and drug screen.

Working Conditions

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions and expectations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an office environment and travels from site to site. Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical conditions necessary to sit, stand, walk, talk, or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, and feel computers and standard business equipment; operate a motor vehicle; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process Information

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam, and department interview.

Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé below no later than Monday, August 24, 2024.

The City offers an excellent benefits package and retirement plan through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Palm Springs, CA 92262

3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we encourage all persons to file applications.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.