Economic Development Director Job Posting

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

THE COMMUNITY Weatherford, Texas, is a strong, progressive community of 30,000 citizens located approximately 30 miles west of the City of Fort Worth and approximately 60 miles west of the City of Dallas. This safe, family-focused city with a high quality of life and a healthy economy is quickly becoming one of the premier places to live in the North Texas area. The City’s small-town feel and convenient access to big city amenities make it one of the most livable communities in the area. We have also received a “Film Friendly” certification.

Weatherford was founded in 1858 and values its historic traditions while strategically planning for its future. Its rich historical heritage combined with modern-day growth have made Weatherford one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. The City takes pride in its strong sense of place and fosters a collaborative environment that will create a future that honors and preserves its heritage, while encouraging continued sustainable growth.

The City provides a wide array of family-friendly recreational, cultural, and entertainment opportunities. For outdoor enthusiasts, Weatherford offers a mountain bike trail, disc golf, an all-inclusive park for kids, a lake, access to over nineteen parks, and a hike and bike trail system that is over twenty miles. Amazing outdoor concerts and popular annual events, including its unsurpassed Fourth of July celebration and parades, provide entertainment for all ages.

Weatherford has a commitment and pride in its Strong Community philosophy and recognizes the importance of working with citizens and local partners such as the college, businesses, and realtors and homeowners’ associations on economic development projects. With an Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of 180 square miles, approximately 2,718 businesses, the City is expanding in many areas and is expected to reach a population of 160,000 by 2070.

The downtown area is currently experiencing various renovations and provides additional entertainment opportunities for the community. Visitors to Weatherford enjoy the City’s many unique treasures, including a historic shopping district full of antique, boutique, and specialty stores, as well as quality restaurants. The City-owned and operated Chandor Gardens and the love-story to be discovered within its walls provide a place for residents and visitors to escape the hectic pace of modern society. The old-time Farmers’ Market, First Monday Trade Days, and a bounty of Victorian-era homes draw visitors from throughout the region to the City.

Weatherford ISD provides an exceptional education experience for the City’s students. The system offers a variety of youth sports and programs to meet the needs of all its students. For those seeking higher education, Weatherford College provides superior opportunities in a convenient location.

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Our Vision Weatherford is a family focused community known for valuing historic traditions while planning for the future. It is a safe, livable city with a healthy economy that recognizes the importance of working with citizens and local partners.

We Believe “Government is a trust, and the officers of government are trustees, and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.”

-Henry Clay

GOVERNANCE & ORGANIZATION Weatherford operates under the council-manager form of government. The City Council consists of four members and the Mayor. The Mayor and Council members are elected at-large and serve staggered terms of three years. It is the responsibility of the City administration to dutifully coordinate and oversee the efficiency of all City departments under the direction of the City Council and implement policies, procedures, and programs as set forth by the City Council. The Council hires a professional City Manager to manage the day-to-day operations of the City.

The City Administration and City Council have a strong and stable working relationship. In making decisions for one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, the City Council prides itself on working toward its vision in a unified effort with City staff to prepare for the Weatherford of tomorrow. In doing so, the City is careful to maintain its heritage in a safe environment where families and commerce are the center of focus for City leadership.

The City of Weatherford organization is made up of more than 365 full-time employees, working in more than 19 departments to serve the citizens of the Weatherford community. The City of Weatherford also operates its own electric utilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, and has non-union and non-civil service fire and police departments.

ABOUT THE POSITION Under direction of the City Manager, the Economic Development Director is responsible for retaining and expanding the economic viability of the City of Weatherford by interacting with business and industry. This executive position leads the Economic Development personnel, programs, budgets, and activities in a manner consistent with the City’s vision, mission, values, and culture. A primary objective is implementing an effective program of economic development to recruit primary business and industry and create primary and secondary employment opportunities and capital investment in the community.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Represent the City of Weatherford community in an effective and positive manner to target industries for alignment with strategic direction.

• Oversee the development of the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program to assist local, exiting business and industry and retain/expand primary and secondary employment opportunities.

• Continually monitor business opportunities in order to drive the long-term strategic growth of Weatherford.

• Initiate contact between real estate owners, or their realtors, and potential industrial site selectors.

• Serve as the point of contact of business and the industrial community.

• Work under direction of the City Manager, area businesses, civic groups, and the general public to ensure support and coordination of economic development activities.

• Represent the view of industry contacts to City Officials with the purpose of helping to ensure suitable infrastructure and community atmosphere is in place to attract new businesses.

• Work closely with Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas and local college and school district to facilitate workforce needs in Weatherford.

• Prepare and present to the City Council and the Weatherford Economic Development Board.

• Assist and support in the research, compilation or comprehensive target industry information and resources. Maintain knowledge of inventory sites and buildings, economic and community data, workforce, local and state resources and local business trends for target industry needs.

• Develop and implement direct marketing programs and materials designed to recruit, retain and expand new and existing “primary” and commercial business and industry. Compile customized business proposals and maintain confidentiality of all business and industrial inquiries.

• Develop correspondence, memorandums, reports, and respond to inquiries related to the direct target industry recruitment programs such as attending staff, Board meetings, and other events. Participate in functions outside of normal business hours to assist in creating public awareness of the economic development program.

• Supervise, direct, and evaluate staff.

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GROWING WITH TRADITION KNOWLEDGE & SKILL REQUIREMENTS • Extensive knowledge of economic development operations as well as the principles and practices of effective supervision and management of organizations and personnel.

• Must have excellent management skills in the areas of economic development.

• Must have excellent organization analysis, leadership and problem-solving skills.

• Must have excellent oral and written communicative skills to include English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure skills. Must have the ability to prepare and make various types of presentations to large groups of people.

• Must be able to work well under pressure and stress, meet deadlines, plan, organize and prioritize multiple work assignments, exercise sound judgment, and make competent decisions in all matters.

• Must maintain confidentiality when necessary.

• Must be able to work extensive hours including weekends and evenings, as required.

• Ability to read and interpret charts, tables, Federal and State regulations, Ordinances or Statutes, organizational policies or regulations, financial data, and legal instruments.

• Must have knowledge of land use, urban planning, land development, marketing, sustainability, infrastructure planning, and community relations.

• Ability to effectively administer Federal or State regulations, City Ordinances, State and Local Statutes, to ensure compliance with City Charter and/or City Council and Municipal Utility Board approved policies.

• Ability to perform more complicated mathematics such as business math, simple algebra, simple geometry, or elementary statistics.

• Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory work relationships with City Manager, City Council members, Municipal Utility Board members, Department Directors, City employees, other government agencies, community businesses, citizen and civic groups, and citizens of Weatherford.

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EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Minimum Education and Work Experience:

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and at least fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development programs in industrial, commercial and residential business recruitment, business retention and expansion, and incentive negotiations. Prefer CEDC certification.

You must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and your driving record must meet or surpass guidelines as set forth by the City of Weatherford. You must also pass a pre-employment drug screen and physical exam.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary for the position is dependent on qualifications and experience. The City of Weatherford values its employees and strives to provide a highly competitive benefits package. The City participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a 7% employee contribution and a municipal matching of 2:1 and also participates in the Social Security program. Other benefits include a very low out-of-pocket medical insurance coverage and no-cost dental insurance for the employee, a personal time off leave plan, longevity pay, and an optional deferred compensation plan.

APPLICATION PROCESS For more information on this position please submit a resume to: Tim Todd, Human Resources City of Weatherford P.O. Box 255 Weatherford, TX 76086 Email - ttodd@weatherfordtx.gov Phone - (817) 598-4240 This position is open until filled.

The City of Weatherford supports inclusiveness and diversity by not discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, race, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any protected class.

We are a supporter of a drug and smoke-free workplace.

RESOURCES City of Weatherford weatherfordtx.gov

Chamber of Commerce weatherford-chamber.com Experience Weatherford experienceweatherford.com Choose Weatherford chooseweatherford.com Weatherford ISD weatherfordisd.com Heritage Square Weatherford heritagesquareweatherford.com