Economic Development Analyst

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

Required Question