SUMMARY: Plans, organizes and implements economic and community development functions from conception to completion, including business retention, business attraction and incentive programs, research and planning and organizational capacity and facility development; performs a variety of responsible administrative, professional and technical tasks. Implements economic development goals and objectives for the County, interfaces and coordinates with the development community, local businesses and various County departments and staff. 

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Assume management responsibilities for all county services and activities of economic development including attracting increased capital investments and expanding and diversifying employment opportunities; establishes and maintains a private/public partnership for positive long-term economic change and implementation of Fayette County’s core strategies: 

● Support Entrepreneurship Development 

● Workforce Development 

● Business Retention and Expansion 

● Business Recruitment and Marketing 

1. Development of short and long term economic and community development plans, as well as the gathering of information and preparation of studies, reports and recommendations to achieve such goals. 

2. Analyzes existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; review modern techniques for business attraction and retention and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; monitors program performance and provides reports to the County Administrator and Board of Commissioners. 

3. Becomes familiar with the existing inventory of available building and businesses in the County and the municipalities. This will include both public and private building and land areas. 

4. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of various economic development programs and efforts. 

5. Manages the development and implementation of economic change through retention, expansion, attraction of commerce and light industry and the creation of incentive zone/programs. 

6. Develop infrastructure (industrial parks, shell buildings, utilities, transportation, etc.) to support business growth and expansion. 

7. Represents the County at appropriate civic, cultural, charitable, business and community activities as well as serves on boards, commissions, committees and organizations related to the areas that are critical to the County’s goals and interest. 

8. Prepares and presents annual budget for approval by the Board of County Commissioners and County Administrator. 

9. Maintains a liaison with various local, state and federal agencies, coordinating projects with agencies as deemed necessary and appropriate. 

10. Provides information and make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, businesses, individuals, and the public on economic development issues, programs, services and plans. 

11. Oversees the administration of the County’s opportunity zone, Payment-In-Leui-Of- Taxes and other economic development programs. 

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12. Identifies workforce skill needs of the business community and coordinates action with educational and training institutions to develop and provide the appropriate training and educational programs. 

13. Provides project management direction and oversight. 

14. Other duties as assigned. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A strong communicator who expresses him or herself well and builds positive working relationships with other staff members, partners, consultants, funders and community members. 

• A solid background in leadership, management, budget oversight and supervisory experience, 

• Must have demonstrated experience successfully completing time-sensitive and/or high profile projects through collaboration, consensus and creativity. 

• A goal-oriented thinker who has the ability to set clear priorities among multiple tasks and stay focus on project benchmarks and deadlines. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of economic and community development issues, principles and techniques, including state and federal policies and programs, capital improvements programming, applicable regulations and regulatory devices, associated data sources and information systems. 

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related economic development or business field and five years substantial experience in planning, economic and/or community development, business or related field OR equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

• Experience managing projects and people in a nonprofit, public agency or private company. 

• Direct experience developing close working relationships with governmental groups at the local, state and federal level, and constituents/stakeholders which might include elected officials, board of directors, employees and other business and community support organizations. 

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

Must be able to communicate effectively (orally and written), possess excellent presentation skills and ability to lead discussions and meetings. 

 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

Basic knowledge of math skills and accounting required. Ability to formulate and evaluate financial proposals and analyze “deals” 

 

REASONING ABILITY: 

-Must be able to analyze data, determine trends and apply the results. 

-Ability to anticipate reaction from the public, elected officials, business community, governmental agencies to manage various situations. 

 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

Valid Driver’s License 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit and inspect meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although the job involves standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Position in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and 

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file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Work in predominately an office environment. Mobility to visit/tour construction sites, facilities, businesses, etc. required. Frequent travel (both local and out of the area) required. 

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

• Annual Salary: depending on qualifications, education, and experience. 

• Medical insurance and Retirement are provided, per program regulations 

• Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance are available 

• Government holidays 

• Sick and vacation days 

 

SELECTION GUIDELINES 

• Formal application 

• Rating of education and experience 

• Oral interview and reference check 

• Job related tests may be required 

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

Position is open until filled. 

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: 

Fayette County respects, values, and welcomes diversity in our workforce. It is the policy of Fayette County to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. That policy is one of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, age and/or disability. This policy is to be followed in respect to all conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, promotion, placement, training, transfers, discipline, compensation, employee benefits, layoffs, and terminations. 

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: 

Applicants for employment with the Fayette County shall be able to perform the essential functions for the position they seek, with or without a reasonable accommodation for a qualified disability, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A qualified, disabled individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, is capable of performing the essential functions for the particular job in question and meets the other requirements of the job and performance requirements, will be given equal consideration in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, and salary. 

The County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to allow disabled employees to perform their essential job functions. If you have a disability and require an accommodation in order to perform your job’s essential functions, please alert the human resources department. 

 

DATE WRITTEN: May 2023 

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For more information and/or to submit a resume, contact: 

Rhea “Skip” Taylor, County Mayor 

Fayette County Mayor’s Office 

P.O. Box 218 

13095 North Main Street 

Somerville, TN 38068 

Office – (901) 465-5202 

Email – mayor@fayettetn.us 

Website – www.fayettetn.us