The Economic Development Director is responsible for directing and facilitating inclusive and strategic economic development initiatives to grow and maintain jobs and increase the tax base in the City of Prattville and surrounding areas. The professional is accountable for both commercial and industrial recruitment and support. Other responsibilities include: leading the economic development team; oversight of department operations; and developing and implementing an annual strategic economic development plan. The Director represents the City of Prattville during client meetings and partnership opportunities. FLSA status is Exempt.

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or logical assignments for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions in this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for this particular position.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

Serve as the lead professional to prepare and market the City of Prattville for economic development projects, both commercial and industrial, considering a potential location to create new jobs and increase the tax base of the community. These duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following initiatives:

Coordinate all economic development initiatives and strategies, prospect visits, existing industry and business expansions, product management.

Continuously build upon a creative target marketing action plan to attract specific sector- related businesses such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and fintech in order to build a diverse tax base and blend of local businesses.

Create and oversee all marketing platforms for economic development following the City of Prattville's guidelines and collaborating with the webmaster.

Work with the other economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, education institutions, governments, and business leaders on local, state, and federal levels to enhance the economic development environment of the community.

Develop, organize and deliver reports monthly to the Mayor of Prattville and others as allowed by confidentiality agreements with projects.

Develop and maintain a strategy for an alliance with the economic development organizations and representatives from across the country.

Promote and provide various sources of financing for qualifying projects.

Provide research, data, and appropriate guidance to local, state, and federal business and government leaders regarding the impact of economic development on the local tax digest.

Serve as a team builder and facilitator between all local, state, and federal officials as well as local and statewide utility and infrastructure vendors that impact the community.

Develop and nurture relationships with existing companies in order to keep current investments in the area. This shall include, but not be limited to:

Develop and maintain programs that encourage the expansion of existing businesses for job maintenance, creation, and additional investments.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Engage with education institutions to build and attract a strong talent development program for existing businesses.

Communicate talent development programs with local businesses on a consistent basis.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Work within the community to facilitate a strong quality of life and sense of place conducive to a pro-business environment.

Serve as a leader and innovator in building a strong and viable business environment through pro-business legislation that will impact the overall success of businesses in the community.

Operate as a resource and catalyst for affordable housing in the area that will create jobs and encourage the continued growth of the local economy.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT

Serve as the fiscal agent for all transactions relating to economic development projects relating to the City of Prattville, as authorized by the Mayor and Council, through governmental contracts and laws. These duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Develop and present for approval in a timely manner, on an annual basis, a budget that represents the goals and objectives of economic development for the City.

Follow City policies and procedures for financial transactions.

Consistently review options for additional funding sources to enhance the economic environment of the community. This shall include grants based on the needs of the community.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Lead, develop and empower a highly competent support staff, as allowed by annual budgets. These duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Recruit elected and appointed officials to assist in various tasks that may arise.

Follow City of Prattville Policies and Procedures in personnel actions.

Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Mayor of the City of Prattville relating to economic development.

Bachelor's degree, preferably with an MBA or other post-graduate work from an accredited university, or equivalent experience in economic development or a similar field.
Five years of leadership/management experience in economic development, business, government, or non-profit sector, or a combination of these fields.
A proven tenure in leading an organization through visionary growth and meaningful change to improve the business environment of the community.
An innovative, creative and strategic thinker who has experience in developing relevant programs and goals to enhance the quality of life in the City of Prattville.
Experienced team builder and leader who will effectively represent the City of Prattville in many environments.
A proven track record of successfully working with an economic development organization, governments, and community stakeholders.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the essential functions of this job, employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, drive a vehicle, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and is required to ask for help in lifting more than 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Position requires the ability to move throughout the City of Prattville's service area and to meet with various constituents in their respective locations.
This is a diversified job requiring sustained mental effort related to public contacts, organizational issues, mediation, planning, and technical areas as well as travel, public speaking, and non-standard business hours.

The City of Prattville offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, sick, and holiday leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and short term disability insurance.

Benefits coverage is effective on the first day of the month following a 30 day waiting period for new hires. Late enrollees are subject to approval by the insurance company.

Group Medical Benefits-Through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, benefits provide members with hospitalization, office visits, and Prescription drugs (Administered through Express Scripts). Family, 2 person and individual plans are available. Complete benefits information is available in the plan document.

CareHere Wellness Center-The City of Prattville offers an on-site wellness center to employees covered under the group health insurance plan. The Wellness Center offers convenient, co-pay free medical and prescription drug coverage for employees and their dependents.

Group Life Insurance-all regular employees receive a life insurance policy. Employees with less than 10 years of service receive a $10,000 policy and employees with 10 years of service or more receive a $20,000 policy.

Retirement-Through the Retirement Systems of Alabama, this benefit requires mandatory enrollment for all regular employees as of the first day of employment. Employees are classified as Tier I or Tier I (A) with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The employee pays a percentage of all gross income specified by RSA. The City provides a matching amount determined by RSA.

A Tier I employee is an employee who was a member of the Retirement Systems of Alabama prior to January 1, 2013. A Tier I employee may retire if he/she has 25 years of retirement service, or is age 60 with 10 years of service with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. (Regular Members 5% of earnable compensation; Full time, Certified Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers 6% of earnable compensation.)

A Tier I (A) employee is an employee who became a member of the Retirement Systems of Alabama after January 1, 2013, and by local resolution and Act 2019-32 by the Alabama Legislature became a Tier 1 employee. A Tier I (A) employee may retire if he/she has 25 years of retirement service, or is age 60 with 10 years of service with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. (Regular Members 7.5% of earnable compensation; Full time, Certified Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers 8.5% of earnable compensation.)

Deferred Compensation (457 Plans)-Voluntary participation allows the employee to lower taxable income, and pay tax on the deferred income in the year of distribution. The City has 457 Plans through Nationwide Retirement, AIG Valic Financial Advisors, RSA-1, and Alabama Deferred Compensation. The employee may contribute up to the current allowable limits. All regular employees are eligible on the first day of employment.

Supplemental Insurance-Employees may obtain coverage for Dental, Cancer, Disability, Accident, and Life Insurance. The City of Prattville offers payroll deduction for supplemental insurance. The employee pays for all supplemental insurance coverage. You are eligible upon purchasing coverage and meeting eligibility requirements.


Flexible Spending Account-Allows employees to lower their taxable income by placing certain insurance premiums under this plan. Also, offers unreimbursed medical/dental expense benefits, as well as daycare expense benefits.


Vacation Leave-Vacation leave is earned at the following accrual rates for regular full-time employees.
Completed 6 months - 40 hours (5 days)
Completed 1 year 40 hours (5 days)
Completed 2nd year through 9th year accrues 80 hours (10 days) per year
10 years through 15 years accrues 120 hours (15 days) per year
16 years and over accrues 160 hours (20 days) per year
The maximum vacation leave that may be accrued is 360 hours for 8-hour shift employees. Fire and Wastewater employees should consult the Policies and Procedures Manual for accrual rates for 12 and 24-hour shift employees. The City administers the time and pays for accrued leave time.

Sick Leave-Sick leave is earned at the rate of 80 hours per year with no accrual limit. Retiring employees have the option of receiving payment for the accrued sick leave (up to 360 hours) or converting the leave to service time. Fire and Wastewater employees should consult the Policies and Procedures Manual for accrual rates for 12 and 24-hour shift employees. The City administers the time and pays for accrued sick leave. You are eligible upon completion of the first pay period after your hire date.

Holidays-Eleven paid holidays per year. The City Council determines the holiday schedule for each fiscal year.

For Detailed Benefits information please visit our Benefits Web Page at www.prattvilleal.gov