Occ. Code 8556610

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 18	8556610
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 23	8556620
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3, GRADE 27	8556630
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 1, GRADE 29	8556810
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 2, GRADE 31	8556820
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 3, GRADE 33	8556830

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

          Positions in this series apply business knowledge, training and experience to provide a wide range of professional and management level economic development services for the promotion of business, tourism and international trade in New York State.  Incumbents provide technical advice and problem-solving assistance to economic development organizations and businesses by conducting business-to-business marketing programs, and promoting, publicizing, and developing strategic plans and initiatives related to the business and economic development services of the Department.

Positions in this series are found only in the Department of Economic Development, whose operational efforts were consolidated with the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) in 1995; combined they are known as Empire State Development (ESD).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The following positions may be supervised by a higher level classified service (DED) and/or unclassified service (ESDC) position.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1:  entry level professional; non-supervisory; member of project teams.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2:  advanced performance level; serves as project team lead to promote business/economic development and may supervise Economic Development Program Specialist (EDPS) 1.

          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3:  may supervise EDPS 1 and 2 levels; provides more complex professional economic development support services; and may assist in managing a regional office or business/economic development programs.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 1: manages a smaller regional office or business/economic development program; directs the activities of EDPS 1-3 and related staff. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 2:  manages a larger regional office or business/economic development program; directs the activities of EDPS 1-3 and related staff, and Economic Development Program Administrator 1 staff.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 3: one-position class; manages the activities of all regional offices under the general direction of executive agency management. 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1

Under the direct supervision of a higher-level position, provides technical advice and problem-solving assistance to economic/business development organizations and businesses or prospective businesses concerning a broad spectrum of economic development problems and issues.

• Researches and reports on significant regional and Statewide economic development issues and problems.

• Compiles economic/business development information needed for program management and client service delivery purposes.

• Markets and promotes or publicizes the business and economic development services of the Department.

· Administers aspects of specialized business/economic development and promotional programs and projects such as grant programs, tax-based incentives, Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), trade shows, site visit programs, etc. 

• Provides technical assistance and problem-solving to business/economic development organizations and businesses on a broad spectrum of economic development issues.

• Develops and presents resource materials for use at promotional seminars and workshops.

• Represents the Department at trade shows and conferences.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

Under the general supervision of a higher-level position, performs many of the same activities and tasks as an Economic Development Program Specialist 1.  Additionally:

• Prepares specialized information on incentives and other economic development tools specifically tailored to facilitate client business development (e.g., expansion, product or market diversification, etc.).

• Works closely with community leaders to form and promote local business/trade/tourism development agencies, assists with program development and serves on committees and special task forces as required.

• May supervise Economic Development Program Specialists 1.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3

Under the general supervision of a higher-level position, performs many of the same activities and tasks as Economic Development Program Specialists 1 and 2.  Additionally:

• Develops and conducts complex business-to-business marketing and other promotional programs;

• Develops strategic plans and initiatives related to business development domestically and/or internationally;

• Performs a wide range of special business/economic development related and administrative assignments;

• Supervises subordinate staff, either as an Assistant Program Director or on a project or team basis, to ensure effective program development, service delivery and administrative operations;

• May assist an Economic Development Program Administrator in managing a regional office or other business/economic development program. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 1 

Under the general direction of a higher-level position, manages a smaller regional office or business/economic development program and directs the activities of subordinate professional level staff.

Plans, develops, implements and manages economic development projects and programs.

• Develops technical, strategic and economic climate information concerning assigned program(s).

• Develops and provides information to potential customers who are considering new locations, markets, expansion opportunities and related business development opportunities in New York State.

• Coordinates the preparation of customized economic development proposals for clients to address their specific business needs (e.g., expansion, product or market diversification, etc.).

• Works with clients, Department executives, business leaders, industry associations, heads of global, federal, regional and local community economic development associations, banks and related organizations on all aspects of program development and implementation.

Assists immediate supervisor and agency executive management in formulating economic development plans, programs and policy.

• Reviews and analyzes the impact on assigned program and/or office operations.

• Develops strategic plans and programs for targeted economic and business development initiatives, focused on domestic and/or international markets;

• Prepares reports identifying critical program and significant operating problems; recommends solutions and both short-term and long-range policy initiatives.

• Makes necessary program adjustments and revisions based on changing economic or technological conditions affecting program services.

Manages program operations.

• Directs, trains and evaluates subordinate program managers and staff to ensure effective program development, service delivery and administrative operations.

• Establishes and implements goals, standards, policies, procedures and priorities.

• Delegates assignments and follows up to ensure they are being carried out in accordance with operational guidelines.

• Oversees budget preparation and management reporting.

• Coordinates with other division and Department managers to ensure that interfacing operations are functioning efficiently.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 2

Under the general direction of a higher-level position, performs many of the same activities and tasks as Economic Development Program Administrators 1.  Additionally:

• Manages a larger regional office or business/economic development program.

• Directs the activities of subordinate professional level staff.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 3

Under the general direction of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or other Senior Executive provides executive management for the agency’s most significant business/economic development operations, and/or the activities of the Department’s regional offices.

• Establishes overall program goals and objectives and directs strategic business development, global business development, or regional office/program operations to ensure effective cooperation and teamwork in all program areas.

• Determines operational policies governing interregional relationships and resolves major issues and/or establishes priorities affecting one or more regions.

• Meets with global, federal and regional economic development entities in order to advance NY economic development interests.

• Acts as a liaison with other divisions within the Department, other State and federal agencies, and key industry executives of New York State, other states and countries to further define and resolve problems which are barriers to the enhancement of business and economic development in New York State.

• Directs subordinate Economic Development Program Administrators 1 and 2 and staff to ensure the effectiveness of program development, operation and administration processes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1

Promotion: appointment from the PATT or PCO eligible list and completion of a two-year traineeship.

Open Competitive: six years of professional economic development experience* in a subdivision of government, not for profit organization or economic development office of a public utility firm;

OR six years of professional experience** with a private business which has as its principal business activity real estate development, site selection or economic development consulting;

OR a combination of the above which must total six years; 

          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as an Economic Development Program Specialist 1.

Open Competitive: seven years of professional economic development experience* in a subdivision of government, not for profit organization or economic development office of a public utility firm;

OR seven years of professional experience** with a private business which has as its principal business activity real estate development, site selection or economic development consulting.

OR a combination of the above which must total seven years.

          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as an Economic Development Program Specialist 2.

Open Competitive: nine years of professional economic development experience* in a subdivision of government, not for profit organization or economic development office of a public utility firm;

OR nine years of professional experience** with a private business which has as its principal business activity real estate development, site selection or economic development consulting;

OR a combination of the above which must total nine years. 

          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 1

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service as an Economic Development Program Specialist 3. 

Open Competitive: ten years of professional economic, commercial development, tourism development/promotion or international business experience**, including one year at a managerial level and five years in one or more of the following areas:

· principal or sole responsibility for the development of major projects which includes

responding to client requests for proposals and negotiation of incentives;

· development of economic development strategies and tactics;

· administration of a substantial economic development program; or,

· preparation of complex economic development research and analysis.

          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 2

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service as an Economic Development Program Administrator 1.

Open Competitive: eleven years of professional economic, commercial development, tourism development/promotion or international business experience**, including two years at a managerial level and six years in one or more of the following areas:

· principal or sole responsibility for the development of major projects which includes responding to client requests for proposals and negotiation of incentives;

• development of economic development strategies and tactics;
• administration of a substantial economic development program; or,
• preparation of complex economic development research and analysis.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 3 

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as an Economic Development Program Administrator 2.

*Professional economic development experience is defined as work primarily in programs and activities intended to attract, retain or create jobs for the general public either directly, or indirectly through tourism promotion, export assistance, urban and regional planning, redevelopment of blight or counseling of minority-owned, woman-owned and/or small business enterprises.

**Professional experience where your primary responsibility must have been in one or a combination of the following areas:

◾professional site selection consulting which includes analyzing a variety of location considerations including labor, taxes, energy, infrastructure, real estate, construction and regulations, and making recommendations to industrial businesses on where to locate, expand or consolidate operations;

◾industrial/commercial real estate development which includes analyzing locations, selecting a location and achieving the approval, financing, design and construction, and reconstruction/rehabilitation of industrial or commercial real estate properties;

◾economic development consulting which includes consulting economic development organizations concerning economic development strategies, programs and practices.

Experience Substitutions: an associate’s degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for one additional year.

Rev: 8/18 

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.