Economic Development Director

Salary : $176,016.00 - $235,884.00 Annually
Location : City of Hemet, 445 E. Florida Ave., Hemet, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27-016
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 12/4/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The City of Hemet is seeking an innovative, strategic, and community-minded leader to serve as its next Economic Development Director. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to play a key role in shaping the City's economic future, advancing community priorities, and creating opportunities that contribute to Hemet's long-term vitality and success.

As Economic Development Director, you will have the opportunity to shape Hemet's future by attracting new businesses, supporting existing enterprises, and championing projects that create jobs and improve quality of life for our residents. This role calls for a visionary leader with strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and a collaborative spirit to work closely with City leadership, community partners, and stakeholders.

We are looking for a candidate who not only has a deep understanding of economic development principles but also a strong commitment to serving the Hemet community. If you are ready to take on a leadership role that will have a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply and bring your expertise, ideas, and passion to this important position.

Summary Description
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristics, duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics:

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Economic Development Department services and activities including the development and implementation of comprehensive economic development strategies and long-term plans that align with the city's strategic plan and vision.
• Manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures; ensures that activities are conducted in accordance with related laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and performs the Economic Development Department's work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Analyzes market trends, economic indicators, and city strengths to identify areas for growth and improvement; develops and implements marketing strategies to promote the city as an attractive location for businesses and investments; develops and maintains metrics to assess the success and impact of economic development initiatives.
• Provides recommendations to city leadership on economic policies, zoning regulations, and infrastructure investments that can boost local business activity and attract new ventures.
• Leads efforts to attract new businesses, industries, and talent to the city through targeted marketing, outreach and incentives; builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including business owners, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and developers; coordinates business retention programs to support existing business, ensure their continued success, and assist with expansion plans.
• Collaborates with local chambers of commerce, business associations, financial institutions, universities, and government agencies to foster a collaborative economic development environment; serves as a liaison between the city, business community and external stakeholders, ensuring that development initiatives align with community interests; facilitates public-private partnerships to support large scale projects, such as infrastructure developments and commercial real estate initiatives.
• Oversees the planning, design, and execution of key economic development projects such as urban revitalization, business parks, mixed-use developments, and infrastructure upgrades; manages budgets, timelines, and resources for economic development projects, ensuring efficient and effective use of funds; tracks and reports on the progress of development projects, ensuring they meet project goals and timelines.
• Promotes workforce development initiatives to ensure that the City's residents have access to the necessary skills and training for the evolving job market; coordinates with local education institutions, vocational training centers, and community organizations to enhance the workforce pipeline.
• Makes presentations to City Council, commissions, civic groups and the general public on economic development issues.
• Advocates for legislative or regulatory changes at the state or federal level that may positively impact the city's economic growth.
• Performs related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:

Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations; import and export functions to assist local businesses in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce; procedures for planning, implementing, and maintaining a variety of activities and programs through community participation; administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision; public agency budget development, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area; principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures; applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines; methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff; real estate economics, principle, practices, financing methods, and sources; land acquisition, disposition, and relocation procedures and entitlement processes
Ability to:

Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas; provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City; interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of assigned personnel; delegate authority and responsibility; select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures; research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques; effectively administer a variety of economic development programs and administrative activities; effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with the business community, governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various economic development, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in Business Administration, Public Administration, Urban Studies, Planning, or a related field. A Master's degree is highly desirable.
Experience:
Seven (7) years progressively responsible experience in economic development, community development, and business development, including three (3) years of experience in a supervisory capacity. Public sector experience is highly desirable.
CERTIFICATION/LICENSE

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information
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 various City and 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. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment, as well as in the community and region with moderate noise levels, varied temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with the business community and/or public and private representatives involved in business/economic development.

Selection Process

All properly completed applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral board interview, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list which will remain valid for a minimum of six months.
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.
At-Will / Directors
Benefits Summary
(Updated October 2026)
The following is a summary of the provided benefits to full-time, At-Will / Director employees. For further information, please contact Human Resources.
Retirement: The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).

Miscellaneous Members:

• Classic Members: 2.5% at 55 Formula; 1959 survivor benefit; final compensation based on single highest year; employee contributes 8% (no Social Security deduction).
• PEPRA (New) Members: 2% at 62 Formula; 1959 survivor benefit; final compensation based on a three-year average; employee contributes 50% of total normal cost, currently 8% (no Social Security deduction)

Safety Members:

• Classic Members: 3% at 55 Formula; 1959 survivor benefit; final compensation based on single highest year; employee contributes 12% (no Social Security deduction).
• PEPRA (New) Members: 2.7% at 57 Formula; 1959 survivor benefit; final compensation based on a three-year average; employee contributes 50% of total normal cost, currently 14.75% (no Social Security deduction).

Medical Coverage:

• The City contributes 100% of premium for employee only coverage on the City's Kaiser plans.

Plan Year 2026/2027
(September 2026 - August 2027)
Dental & Vision Coverage:

• The City pays 100% of the premium for dental & vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

Life & Long-Term Disability Insuran