Economic Development Assistant for Small Businesses

The Economic Development Assistant for Small Businesses will serve as the City’s first point of contact for start-ups and small businesses located in or seeking to locate in the City. Position researches, markets, recruits, plans, and manages the development of new and expanding small businesses; creates and implements research strategies and implements programs to support small business economic development efforts, including compiling and analyzing data; supports small business efforts by providing research, data, and marketing the City; develops and implements marketing strategies and establishes relationships with the small business/development community;

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, assisting senior staff with the in the creation and implementation of revitalization plans in those areas of the City targeted for growth under the “SomerVision” master planning document. The SomerVision plan identifies a number of goals, perhaps the most important of which is to strengthen and grow the City’s economic base, one that relies more upon commercial interests, rather than the traditional residential standing.

Somerville is a city that is defined by its values, its goals and its history. As we embraced that history, so do we embrace the future.  We’re known as the “Innovation City”, in part because a substantial portion of the region’s clean energy industry, the maker movement and the creative economy have chosen to call Somerville home. We’re committed to mixed use development tied to recent and future infrastructure improvements. Working with this creative economy-to encourage them to locate in Somerville and to remain here as part of their evolution and growth-will be one the most important responsibilities of this position.

Essential Functions:

• Provides support to senior staff and technical assistance to staff and elected officials regarding planning, development and implementation activities in the city.
• Interfaces with members of the local small business development community, including lenders, on a regular basis.
• Provides technical assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs
• Supports and manages initiatives that support small business growth.
• Manages consultant contracts.
• Interfaces with local community, other city department, and state/federal agencies.
• Prepares written project analysis/response.
• Manages the public process dealing with planning initiatives
• Prepares staff reports for a variety of Boards and Commissions
• Presents case information at a Board and Commission meetings
• Coordinates community outreach and participation processes
• Works in close cooperation with the other divisions (Planning and Zoning, Transportation and Infrastructure, Housing and Inspectional Services) that comprise the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning.

Education and Experience: College Degree and two  (2) years experience, particularly as it pertains to business, real estate development, economic, entrepreneurship, social media or the creative economy; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

This position requires a person to be detail oriented, to be self-motivated and able to handle multiple assignments at the same time.

Knowledge: Knowledge of community, action groups, politics (local), neighborhoods and business concerns; considerable knowledge of small business development, entrepreneurship, small business financing and graphic presentation as applied to economic development. Considerable knowledge of economic, sociological and environmental aspects of planning; particular knowledge and experience with relation to design, construction and permitting problems commonly met in connection with municipal planning activities. Working knowledge of personal computers and GIS applications; thorough knowledge of urban or regional planning principles and practices; thorough knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement.

Abilities: Ability to organize and direct the preparation of comprehensive research studies, analyze problems, prepare technical reports and formulate recommendations; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with business owners, property owners, developers, contractors, bankers, supervisors, employees, and the public.

Skill: Skilled public speaker; excellent customer service, planning and financial analysis skills

Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements.  Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant.  Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills: Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing.  May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and computer paper (up to 30lbs.)

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills: Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Send your resume and cover letter by Tuesday, April 18, 2017 to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.