THE POSITION
The City of Modesto is hiring an experienced Economic Development Manager to lead transformative projects that shape our city’s future! We’re looking for a proven professional with at least five years of progressive administrative experience in community development, economic development, or redevelopment—including one year in a supervisory role. In this leadership position, you’ll oversee strategic initiatives, manage high-priority projects, and build partnerships that drive business growth and workforce development. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, apply today and help Modesto thrive!
Upcoming Salary Increases And Incentives
3% COLA effective 7/1/2026
2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree
5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree
The Economic Development Manager is responsible to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate Community and Economic Development policies; to manage sensitive, high-priority projects; to plan, organize, direct, and supervise administrative functions, including budget and personnel activities; to plan, organize, and direct economic development and redevelopment; and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Community and Economic Development.
Read full job specification.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" section of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME".
All applicants who meet minimum qualifications of the position will be placed on an eligible list and invited to a selection interview with the hiring department.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City. The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Read more in our comprehensive brochure!
Modesto Confidential and Management Association (MCMA)
Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).
HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours holiday credit.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: 80 hours per year for positions exempt from overtime.
VACATION: Accrued at the rate of two weeks during the first year, increasing to five weeks during the 21st year of service.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,200 hours.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,110.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 748.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above
minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With a matching contribution by the employee, the City will contribute 1.5% of salary, increasing to 2.5% at 9+ years of service, to a voluntary 457 Plan.
RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $130 per month.
LIFE INSURANCE: Coverage in the amount of $120,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.
DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Master's Degree Pay in the amount of 5% of salary. Bachelor's Degree Pay in the amount of 2.5% of salary.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE LEAVE: Employees who pass a review panel and are needed in this capacity by the department, will receive 3 hours of Bilingual Leave Time per pay period into their Compensatory Time Off (CTO) balance.
LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.
SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
01
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions. I understand these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application. I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.
02
Do you possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college with major coursework in business development, redevelopment, public administration, business administration, or business/development finance?
03
How many years of administrative experience do you have in community development involving administration, economic development, and redevelopment, or a related field?
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 - 2 years
- 2 - 3 years
- 3 - 4 years
- 4 - 5 years
- More than 5 years
04
Describe the scope of your supervisory experience. Include the number of employees supervised, your involvement in their performance evaluations and the job functions they performed. If you have no experience, indicate "N/A".
05
Please describe your education, experience, and work history, highlighting elements of your career that have prepared you for the position Economic Development Manager.
06
Describe your approach to economic development, including how you balance business retention, recruitment, and redevelopment.
07
What do you see as the greatest challenges and opportunities for this position and the City as it relates to economic development?
