Join Our Team as the Economic Development Manager!
Are you ready to seize the moment and lead Carson through an exciting period of transformation? As our city prepares to shine on the world stage as a training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and an Olympic venue for the LA28 Olympics, we're looking for a passionate and visionary Economic Development Manager to take full advantage of these unique opportunities.
The ideal candidate will:
Champion Carson's Interests: Be the face of our city's dynamic growth and communicate our vision with both internal project teams and the public.
Lead with Purpose: Plan, organize, and manage all Economic Development services and programs that bring Carson’s Economic Development Strategic Plan to life.
Foster Innovation: Cultivate a business climate that welcomes innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.
Collaborate for Success: Work with key partners to implement policies and programs that promote local business growth and ensure equitable outcomes for all.
Promote Carson: Lead and direct staff to showcase our city's assets and market Carson regionally and nationally.
Team Up: Collaborate with other City departments and partner organizations to drive forward Carson’s Economic Development agenda and programs.
Job Summary:
Under general direction of the Director of Community Development, performs complex administrative duties and supervises staff responsible for programs and projects designed to promote a sustainable economy through business development, retention and attraction including the promotion of City-sponsored projects and initiatives.
These functions are representative and may not be present in all positions in the class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind related duties and work assignments.
- Manages the development and implementation of economic change through business retention and expansion, attraction of commerce and light industry, and the creation of incentive zones or programs and small business grant/loan programs;
- Plans, organizes, administers and coordinates strategies, programs and projects in support of economic development and business development, retention and attraction;
- Supervises staff assigned to implement projects that further the objectives of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan and other programs;
- Participates in the negotiation, preparation, and processing of documents and implementation of such documents as development agreements, owner participation agreements, contracts, grants, resolutions, and requests for proposals, etc.;
- Oversees maintenance of inventory of available properties for businesses to occupy including retail, industrial space and open land. Coordinates and supervises staff to match businesses to available space when possible and solicits and packages responses to RFIs from the Governor’s Office, the LAEDC, and other regional organizations;
- Analyzes, formulates and implements policies and administrative procedures for activities, projects and programs within the area of responsibilities; and monitors the effectiveness of those activities;
- Participates in the evaluation of real property development projects that involve public and public-private partnerships;
- May provide assistance in the facilitation and negotiation of leases and/or purchase and sale agreements and other contracts with developers;
- Prepares and reviews staff reports for Economic Development Commission and City Council on policy and project matters;
- Prepares requests for proposals for professional services, evaluates bids and products, makes recommendation for selection, evaluates and monitors quality of vendor or contract services;
- Reviews and edits materials, including draft reports and staff correspondence;
- Serves as liaison and facilitates communication between staff and other City departments, community groups and non-profit agencies regarding community-wide economic development initiatives;
- Participates on interdepartmental and intradepartmental teams, committees and boards as required;
- Performs other related duties, as assigned;
- Serve as City Liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, South Bay Workforce Investment Board, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments Economic Development Managers Group, and other external organizations as needed;
- Serve as staff to the City's Economic Development Commission.
A typical way to obtain the requisite qualifications to perform the duties of this class is as follows:
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, real estate, finance or a closely related field; and four (4) years of full-time, paid experience in small business lending, commercial real estate, economic development, housing development, marketing, or a related field, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or manager capacity. Experience and/or education in a related field may be substituted on a year for year basis.
Knowledge of:- Principles and practices of real estate finance and development;
- Principles and practices of small business assistance and expansion, including lending programs and grants;
- Federal, State and Local economic development programs and regulations;
- Principles of zoning and land use regulations;
- Basic principles and practices of Federal and State environmental law;
- Principles of business attraction and community marketing;
- Contracts management;
- Research techniques;
- Public and private funding sources and requirements;
- Budget development and management;
- Projects and program management;
- Supervisory principles, practices and techniques;
- Effective customer service techniques;
- City and department mission, including strategic goals and objective;
- General City operations;
- Principles and techniques of public speaking and public relations;
- Personal computer software and hardware.
Skill and/or Ability to:- Plan, supervise and coordinate the activities of the Division;
- Select, train and supervise staff;
- Prepare analytical and financial reports;
- Make accurate calculations and revenue estimates;
- Formulate, interpret and apply relevant public policies, laws and regulations;
- Develop and implement innovative programs and projects;
- Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Make effective oral presentations to City Commissions, the City Council and other groups;
- Analyze complex issues and synthesize cogent policy recommendations;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals contacted in the course of work including business owners, developers, building industry professionals, department staff, members of other city departments, government officials, community groups, boards and commissions and the public;
- Provide effective customer service;
- Promote community participation in programs;
- Develop and maintain a budget;
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:Employee accommodations for physical and mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Positions in this class normally:
- Work is primarily performed indoors in an office setting. Requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as computers and calculators. Tasks require sound and visual perception and discrimination, as well as oral communications ability. Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
- Require vision (which may be corrected) to read small print.
- Require the mobility to stand, stoop, reach, and bend.
- Require mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects.
- Perform lifting, pushing and/or pulling which does not exceed 20 pounds and is an infrequent aspect of the job.
- Require the ability to stand and/or walk for long periods or distance.
- Is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
- May be required to work evenings and/or weekends.
- May be required to use city and/or personal vehicle in the course of employment.
Recruitment ProcessApplications will be screened and evaluated for relevant training and experience. Applications must be complete and include any and all required documents. Only those applicants determined to be among the most qualified may be invited to participate in the selection process which will consist of the following sections:- Supplemental Questionnaire, no weight
- Oral exam, weighted at 100%
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to adjust, modify, delete and/or change the above exam types and/or weights. Supplemental questionnaires are used to evaluate applicant’s indicated abilities with the ideal candidate profile. Applicants must achieve a cut-off score of 70% or above on the written, performance and oral examination to be placed on the eligibility list. Passing the written, performance and oral examination does not guarantee an invitation to the selection interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to invite those amongst the highest scoring to the next phase of the recruitment.Revisions to a testing component during a recruitment process can be made at the discretion of the Human Resources Department. Applicants will be notified by email if a revision is made. An eligibility list will be established in accordance with the City's Personnel Rules, Rule VI, Employment List Procedures.OTHER INFORMATION
The City of Carson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call Human Resources for assistance at (310) 952-1736.APPOINTMENT
Any offer of employment, or acceptance of an employment offer, is contingent upon passing live scan, background check and other tests. All new employees are required to take a loyalty oath.The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice. All statements made on the job application are subject to investigation and/or verification. Inaccurate and/or false statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligibility list or discharge from employment.IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS POSITION IS OPENCURRENT CITY OF CARSON EMPLOYEES
Please do not use your City of Carson email address as part of this application. You must indicate a personal email address in order to receive communications and/or notices from Human Resources throughout the recruitment process.
