Salary Information
$82,116.38 to $122,065.35 annually depending upon qualification; excellent benefits (Note: Benefit information is available; please call Human Resources at 352-483-5472). Only applicants with the most job-related qualifications will be selected for interview and further consideration. Additional consideration may be given to applicants with more extensive education, training, or experience. Following a thorough background investigation including a criminal history and driver’s license check, the candidate will be given a conditional offer of employment. The final candidate may be required to pass a drug test and medical exam, if applicable for the position. Please read important section below.
The City of Eustis, Florida, is accepting applications for its Economic Development Director. The Economic Development Director is a key position reporting directly to the City Manager and the City is seeking an energetic individual with successful experience. This director must be an astute strategist who can establish relationships, build networks, and generate resources to meet the needs of local business. This highly responsible, self-directed position will have the unique and exciting opportunity to create and maintain a premier place to live, work and play in Central Florida. The Director serves as the City’s Administrator to the Eustis Downtown and East Town Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The Director of Economic Development also supervises the Public Relations Coordinator.
The Community
The City of Eustis is ideally located on beautiful Lake Eustis within easy driving distance of Orlando, Atlantic and Gulf coast beaches, the Ocala National Forest, and the Florida Space Coast. The current population is approximately 21,000 and the City’s goal is to reach 36,000 over the next ten years.
Background
The City already has many tools in place and is seeking a director who can make things happen. Here’s what is already in place:
- The City has a downtown Master Plan to create more residential density and commercial intensity of land use. Implementation of the plan has already begun with a multi-million-dollar streetscape improvement and a stormwater system that manages the downtown drainage and improves the water quality of Lake Eustis. There are numerous opportunities for both redevelopment and new development in downtown, with several empty blocks and parcels;
- The City has an expedited review process for site plans, subdivisions and building permits;
- The City has a form-based code for land development regulations that facilitates mixed use development and urban design;
- The City is currently marketing several large, City owned properties for sale or for private/public partnerships;
- The City has excess water and wastewater capacity;
- The City has a large Community Redevelopment Area including the downtown urban core and residential areas extending eastward;
- Part of the Lake County Enterprise Zone is located in the City;
- The City has an active Chamber of Commerce and downtown Business Alliance;
- The City hosts a First Friday street party each month and numerous other special events throughout the year;
- The GeorgeFest celebration of George Washington’s birthday has been held in Eustis for the past 120 years and is the longest consecutive celebration of Washington’s birthday in the United States. The event brings thousands of participants and visitors to Eustis;
- The City helps support Trout Lake Nature Center on the north end of town and it sponsors a variety of environmental educational programs.
Essential job functions
- Directs the City’s economic development planning and implementation;
- Provides a high level of customer service using a proactive approach towards solving problems and expediting development, as well as assisting developers, businesses and property owners to work out problems with the City and other agencies;
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Economic Development, Metro Orlando EDC, Enterprise Florida, Inc. and other local organizations associated with area economic development;
- Develops targeted markets for business development;
- Provides local industry support by developing relationships with local businesses to monitor the vitality of the local economy and to provide information and resources to assist in their business growth;
- Evaluates local resources, needs, goals, and opportunities in the area;
- Leverages finances from the public and private sectors to attract new businesses, facilitate enterprise development, and assist existing businesses with expansion and troubleshooting;
- Facilitates business partnerships;
- Markets City-owned buildings and land;
- Makes presentations to the City Commission, CRA Board and community organizations on activities related to economic development and CRA activities;
- Coordinates the operation of the CRA and prepares the CRA annual report;
- Assists in developing the work-plan, budget and expenditures of the CRA;
- Attends public meetings to provide information regarding the activities associated with economic development;
- Develops citizen goodwill and positive public relations;
- Supervises Public Relations Coordinator;
- Writes reports and makes presentations;
- Provides accurate, up-to-date demographic information and monitors and assesses the economy and local business climate in order to be proactive and perform effectively;
- Tracks vacant industrial sites and facilities inventory;
- Provides business familiarization tours for potential new businesses;
- Networks existing business and conducts regular visitation;
- Administers and manages incentive and loan programs;
- Attends professional workshops and conferences;
- Promotes the City and its activities;
- Assists the City in the preparation for and aftermath of a major emergency such as a hurricane or other storm or disaster, as needed; works on-call, as needed, during emergency situations such as hurricanes, severe weather, etc;
- Performs other related duties as required.
Requirements
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
- Extensive knowledge of and successful previous experience in economic and/or community development;
- Extensive knowledge of real estate marketing and land development;
- Extensive knowledge of business principles;
- Thorough knowledge of municipal and business finance;
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely;
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others;
- Ability to solve problems and engage others;
- Good professional judgment and ethics;
- Excellent communication skills – oral, written, and social media.
Working hours
Generally, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, employee must have flexibility in schedule with ability to work on-call, as required, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Physical Demands
Some light physical effort is required: sitting for long periods; frequent walking, sitting, standing, climbing, stooping, reaching, bending; good finger/hand dexterity & hand/eye coordination; good eyesight, hearing, & speech; working in adverse environmental conditions periodically; regular driving of vehicle.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business, or related field, is required; Master’s degree highly desirable; supplemented by extensive (i.e. 5 years or more), progressively responsible, and successful professional experience in economic development and community redevelopment/development are essential. Designation as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is desirable. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered. A valid Florida Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record is also required as a condition of initial and continued employment.
Closing Date: Open until closed by the City
Contact Information
Human Resources Department
City of Eustis
Physical Address
109-A East Orange Avenue
Eustis, Florida 32726
Mailing Address
Post Office Drawer 68
Eustis, Florida 32727
Phone number
352-483-5472
Fax number
352-483-0492
Email address
personnel@ci.eustis.fl.us
Important Information
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 pm on the closing date as listed above. The City may close positions that are posted with an Open closing date at any time, without prior notice. The City’s application is required. After submitting an interest request via a career site, you should receive an email with the application link and further instructions from Human Resources. If you do not receive an email from Human Resources within one business day, contact 352-483-5472 or personnel@ci.eustis.fl.us. The online application is the preferred method but printed applications are also available in person at 109-A East Orange Ave, Eustis. Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. For assistance or more information, please visit Human Resources at www.eustis.org or call 352-483-5472. Under Florida Law, all application materials are public record and subject to public scrutiny.
The City of Eustis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel action because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, age, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other factor protected by law. The City provides Veteran’s Preference per Florida Statute 295.07. When a preference-eligible applicant receives notice of a hiring decision and believes that he or she was not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, the applicant may file a written complaint requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33708. Such complaint shall be filed within 60 calendar days from the date that the notice is received by the preference-eligible applicant pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statute. Applicants claiming Veteran’s Preference must complete a City of Eustis application identifying themselves as an eligible veteran and submit FDVA form VP-1, VP-2, or VP-3 along with documentation, as soon as possible (contact HR for forms). The City encourages applications from qualified individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation to the extent provided by law. If accommodation is needed for applicant testing or interview, please inform the City, prior to the testing or interview date.
