Definition

Under direction of the Deputy City Manager or their designee, supervises, organizes, and participates in support activities for the Economic Development Divisions; performs a variety of complex professional tasks involved in the development, analysis and evaluation of Economic Development programs and budgets; and conducts special studies and analysis as required.

Position Snapshot/A Day in the Life: The Economic Development Analyst serves as the face of the city to the business community, fostering relationships and guiding businesses through critical processes. This role involves fielding business inquiries, conducting proactive outreach, and assisting new businesses in navigating City approvals, including permitting, licensing, and other regulatory processes. The Analyst performs complex market studies to identify growth opportunities, participates in discussions on land acquisitions, and evaluates development prospects. Financial responsibilities include managing property-related budgets, conducting cost analyses, negotiating leases, and monitoring property performance. Additionally, the Analyst supports property management tasks, such as coordinating with tenants and reviewing contracts, while ensuring compliance with City policies. By collaborating with businesses to identify and secure resources like grants and incentives, this position directly contributes to the department’s mission of improving the quality of life for Fontana residents through job creation, business attraction, and sustainable economic growth.

Essential Functions

The incumbent must have the ability to:

Point of contact for organizations, private businesses, developers, brokers, public agencies, property owners, and the general public for economic development enterprises.
Plan, organize, and oversee the attraction, expansion, and retention of economic development City-wide.
Plan, prioritize, coordinate, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the analysis and development of Economic Development programs and services, including those that encourage commercial and industrial development; schedule and review activities to ensure that work is completed in a timely and appropriate manner; direct and participate in special studies.
Remain abreast of emerging trends in economic development; attend conferences and trade shows.
Develop and review budget allocation proposals for Economic Development Division; develop and coordinate policies and procedures for the budget development process; monitor Division expenditures.
Evaluate operations and activities of Economic Development Division; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
Lead and participate in complex financial analyses of proposed policy changes; serve as a liaison between departmental management teams; provide information and analytical support involving major projects of City-wide interest.
Answer questions and provide information to department staff concerning technical or statistical issues; investigate problems and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve problems.
Design, plan, supervise, and participate in a variety of studies; provide recommendations for improving the efficiency of Economic Division.
Coordinate unit activities with those of other departments and divisions.
Attend and participate in meetings and committees.
Coordinate departmental purchasing activities including negotiation with vendors and suppliers of necessary department materials and equipment.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to technical as well as non-technical individuals.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
Other duties as assigned.
This position is always evolving. Therefore, employer reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

Working Conditions: Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing statistical reports and data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near vision in reading correspondence, statistical data and using a computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone service and communicating in person. The need to lift, drag, and push files, computer reports, or other materials weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Required

A combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The incumbent must have knowledge of:

Principles and practices of public administration and public finance
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation
Commercial real estate best practices and land use development
Principles and practices of budget development
Principles of economics, financial analysis, and cost-benefit analysis
Principles of statistics and research
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations

Experience: Three (3) years of responsible experience in the evaluation of management systems, programs and budgets including one year of lead responsibility. Demonstrated experience in commercial real estate best practices and land use development.

Preferred Qualifications

At least three (3) to five (5) years of experience in economic development, urban planning, or a related field.
At least three (3) to five (5) years of experience in managing contracts, budgets, and property performance.
Recent similar experience with another municipality.
Bachelor’s degree in economics, urban planning, public administration, business administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is a plus.
Knowledge of residential and commercial best practices.
Knowledge of land use.
Experience analyzing the current availability of space for commercial and industrial use and matches available properties with prospective tenants.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience.
Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including businesses, property owners, tenants, and city officials.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, personnel or a related field. Work experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis, with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience equating to a bachelor’s degree, equating to eight (8) years total work experience.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of, and continuously throughout employment, a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent.

Supplemental Information

Successful candidates will be required to pass a drug screening, fingerprint screening, and physical examination. In addition, incumbents are required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest Form (700 Form) annually and ethics training bi-annually, pursuant to AB 1234.

The City of Fontana has a flexible benefits plan. This plan allows for employees to select benefits based upon their individual needs. Full-time and Classified Part-time employees are eligible for benefits.

Please click here to view our excellent employee benefit options.

01

What is your highest level of education?

High School graduate or equivalent
Some college
Trade school graduate or Apprenticeship
Associate's degree in related field
Bachelor's degree in related field
Bachelor's degree or higher in non-related field
Equivalent to Bachelor's degree in related field
Master's degree or higher in related field
None of the above

02

Please indicate how much experience you have in economic development, urban planning, or a related field.

No experience
Less than one (1) year.
One (1) year or more year(s) but less than three (3) years.
Three (3) or more years but less than five (4) years.
Five (5) years or more.

03

Please describe your experience economic development, urban planning, or a related field. Please include a) the name of the employer, and b) describe your experience. If you don't have any experience, please type "N/A".

04

Please indicate how much experience you have in managing contracts, budgets, and property performance.

No experience
Less than one (1) year.
One (1) year or more years but less than three (3) years.
Three (3) or more years but less than five (5) years.
Five (5) or more years.

05

Please describe your experience managing contracts, budgets, and property performance. Please include a) the name of the employer, and b) describe your experience. If you don't have any experience, please type "N/A".

06

Do you currently possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License?

Yes
No
Required Question

City of Fontana

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Economic Development Analyst