Economic Development Manager

Salary: $120,265.60 - $161,782.40 Annually
Location : City Hall, 323 Science Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021, CA
Job Type: Management
Job Number: 2026-011
Department: City Manager's Office
Opening Date: 09/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

The Economic Development Manager Position:

The Economic Development Manager position at the City of Moorpark offers a unique opportunity to lead the City's economic development programs and activities. Under direction of the City Manager, the position will directly manage and coordinate the following economic development activities: business retention, growth, and attraction; entrepreneurship support; policy development to strengthen the City's economy; property acquisition and disposition; negotiation and management of real estate transactions and development agreements; real estate and tax increment financing; workforce development and job creation; marketing to promote the City as a tourist destination, including public art, digital and social media, web content, and printed materials; and revitalization of the heart and soul of the community - downtown High Street.

The ideal candidate has a strong desire to work in local government and will make a positive impact in the community with their passion for creativity and innovation while utilizing excellent customer service and communication skills. They will enjoy communicating with business owners; working with entrepreneurs and developers; conducting business walks and tours; being highly visible in the community; strengthening partnerships with the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce and economic development agencies in the region; organizing and attending social and networking events related to economic development; supporting the growth and expansion of existing businesses; actively seeking new businesses; and working with commercial property owners and brokers to fill vacant spaces and buildings. The Economic Development Manager will also implement the City's goals in the areas of economic development, manage the division's budget, and meet the City's high standards of quality customer service to businesses and residents.
Please click here to view a brochure with more details on the position and the City of Moorpark.
Essential Functions

Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, implement, and lead economic development programs and projects.
• Provide responsible staff assistance and support to the City Manager or Department Head as assigned by the City Manager.
• Recommend and assist in the preparation and implementation of City goals and objectives in areas of economic development and implement approved activities.
• Prepare and monitor development agreements and assist with property acquisition actions of City as assigned; establish schedules for development performance and other provisions of disposition and development agreements with private developers for the sale and redevelopment of City- owned property.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff and consultants responsible for the preparation and administration of economic development programs and activities and ensure staff provides high quality customer service.
• Provide technical assistance and training to City staff in matters related to economic development programs and activities.
• Oversee City agreements for professional consulting services relating to economic development programs and activities; monitor contract payments; ensure contracts are within budget requirements; ensure compliance with contract obligations.
• Analyze operating and capital improvement project budgets for specified areas of responsibility.
• Prepare the City Annual Operating Budget for areas of responsibility; develop estimates of funds needed for staffing and related expenses; recommend appropriate budget adjustments; and monitor expenditures.
• Monitor legislative developments related to economic development.
• Assist City departments in the preparation and maintenance of financial and economic development records.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate services and staffing levels.
• Attend and participate in professional training and group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of economic development; and represent City at regional and state meetings.
• Coordinate activities with other City departments and public agencies, Chamber of Commerce, and economic development organizations.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of economic development
• Best practices and latest trends in economic development
• Principles and practices of business attraction, retention, and expansion
• Principles and practices of real estate finance and development
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Principles and practices of budgeting
• Principles and practices of tax increment financing
• Principles and practices of contract administration
• Review and analysis of business plans, financial statements, and proformas
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• GIS and graphic design software is desirable

Ability to:

• Initiate and lead programs and major projects
• Select, train, and evaluate staff
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of subordinate staff
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to public, press, or other agencies on sensitive issues
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, developers, investors, external agencies, and City staff
• Conduct financial research and analysis
• Effectively manage contracts and evaluate the work of contractors
• Research, develop, and prepare ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and technical reports and associated summary data for presentation to Agency Board, City Council and others
• Research, utilize analytical methods, conduct statistical analysis; prepare budgets, and prepare and present a variety of complex reports and analyses
• Track and interpret economic development laws and policies
• Utilize strong computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software to produce appropriate reports, informational items, tracking systems and related documents
• Apply Federal, State, and local laws and regulations pertaining to development programs projects and activities
• Evaluate financial data and recommend improvements
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities
• Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities
• Maintain effective audio/ visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties
• Perform responsible and difficult administrative work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative
• Work nights and/or weekends to attend economic development-related events or activities
• Utilization of GIS and graphic design software is desirable

Experience, Training, License/Certificate, Working Conditions

Experience
A minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience with public agency economic development programs, projects, and activities, including two years of supervisory responsibility.

Training
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration, urban planning, finance, economics, or a related field. A Master's degree is desirable.

License or Certificate
Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate valid California driver's license is required. Certification as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) or Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE) is desirable.

Working Conditions:
Environmental Conditions: office environment; exposure to computer screens.
Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time; light lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling; reaching; handling; use of fingers; talking; hearing; near acuity.
The City of Moorpark operates most divisions on a 9/80 schedule and offers a comprehensive and generous benefit program. Highlights include the following:
Health, dental, and vision insurance:

• Medical insurance is through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) which offers PPO and HMO plans. The City pays 90% of the PERS Platinum Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Health Plan family rate towards whichever plan the employee chooses. An employee may convert up to a maximum of $300 per month of the medical insurance allowance to cash out or deposit in deferred compensation each month if not used for medical insurance cost.
• 100% of the dental and vision insurance premiums for employee and dependents is paid by the City.

Life Insurance:$75,000 term life insurance paid by the City.

Supplemental Life Insurance: Employees have the option of increasing their life insurance by purchasing supplemental life through payroll deduction.

Retirement: The City participates in CalPERS to provide retirement benefits for employees. For eligible miscellaneous Classic employees (employees hired before 1/1/2013 with a 2% @ 55 formula and no required employee contribution), the City pays 7% of base salary on employees' CalPERS contribution. For "New" members (employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 with a 2% @ 62 formula), the employee contributes 7.75% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.

Deferred Compensation Saving Plan: 2% of base salary paid by the City.

Annual Leave Accrual: Annual leave (vacation, personal, sick time hours) is accrued based on years of service. Annual Leave accrual rates for Management Employees begins at 22 days per year and maxes out at 32 days per year.

Administrative Leave: Management Employees at salary range 67 or higher receive approximately 68 hours per year. Management Employees at a salary range lower than range 67 receive approximately 44 hours per year.

City Paid Holidays: 11 ½ paid legal holidays each year and a paid winter break between December 25 and January 1 of each year.

Remote Work Option: For certain positions where it may be appropriate without diminishing quality of performance or service delivery, remote work arrangements may be set up after six months of on-site work.

Flexible Work Schedule: For certain positions where it may be appropriate without diminishing quality of performance or service delivery, flexible work schedule arrangements may be set up.

Short and Long-Term Disability:City-paid coverage.

Tuition Reimbursement: Management employees will be reimbursed for courses pre-approved by the City Manager. The annual maximum tuition reimbursement is $2,000 and the lifetime maximum is $20,000.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The City provides a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program for confidential counseling and services to City employees and their immediate families.

A more inclusive listing of employee benefits can be found in the
Management Benefits Resolution.
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