Project Manager - Economic Development
Warren County Port Commission
Job Description
DEFINITION:
Under general direction of the Executive Director, acts independently and uses analytical abilities and strong interpersonal skills to coordinate, direct, and implement a well-defined set of programs, projects, and processes that advance economic development in Vicksburg and Warren County. The successful candidate will also provide professional support to the executive director with other general economic development priorities including asset development, economic policy recommendation development, taxation, incentives, and financing mechanisms among others. The successful candidate will maintain a close working relationship with local industry representatives and other economic development stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be responsible for understanding and reporting on local industry trends, locating and providing demographic information, and coordinating and managing task forces with local industrial groups that promote job creation and economic development in the community. The position will require the exercise of independent judgment and technical knowledge of programs at the state, regional and federal level used to promote job creation through economic development programs.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Examples of Key Duties: (Duties are illustrative and not all inclusive. Individual assignments
may vary.)
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, graphic design, marketing, economic development, or related field. Previous training in economic development and entrepreneurship development programs, including but not limited to EDI, IEDC, or other ED Courses and related
economic development professional training. A minimum of three years of working experience in economic development is preferred. A minimum of three years of work experience in any field is required. Experience working with manufacturers or within a manufacturing setting is desirable. A master degree is not required but preferred. ED certifications such as CEcD are not required but preferred.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office and mobile equipment, including computers and hand-held devices, and to attend meetings at various sites within and away from Warren County; strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10
pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
Knowledge Desired at entry:
Attendance Requirements
This is an exempt position;
COMPENSATION:
DOE + Full Health + Dental + PERS State Retirement + State Vacations & Holidays.
ABOUT WARREN COUNTY AND VICKSBURG
Located on the Mississippi River and within close proximity of the Mississippi State Capitol, Vicksburg is known as one of Mississippi’s most important logistic, industrial, and touristic centers. Direct access to the Mississippi River, Interstate I-20, and Class I railroad service through CSX provide businesses with an unrivaled array of transportation options to move products across the U.S and abroad; and the presence of the Vicksburg National Military Park, the only Civil War Military Park in the nation, make Vicksburg a unique tourism destination attracting over 2 million visitors per year.
Vicksburg is also known as the home of the largest Army Corps of Engineers Community in the world with more than 2,700 military and civilian employees doing national security research and development work to support the U.S. Military. As part of this research and development conglomerate, Vicksburg is home to the Engineering Research & Development Center, a national laboratory providing specialized research and development service to the U.S. Military.
Vicksburg is one of the most significant historic cities in the State of Mississippi. Dating back to the early 1,800’s the City boasts many historically significant sites and architectural wonders. The Vicksburg Courthouse, the City Hall, the Historic Post Office and Federal Court Building, and many other architecturally significant structures pepper the City landscape illustrating the richness of its past and the vibrancy of its present.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN WARREN COUNTY AND VICKSBURG
Economic development in Warren County is undergoing a revival. Three economic development organizations in the community (the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce, the Warren County Economic Development Foundation, and the Warren Port Commission) have recently joined together to form an economic development partnership that will lead all economic development efforts in the future. In the immediate term, these three organizations, together with the Warren County Board of Supervisors, City of Vicksburg, and the business community at large, will be developing a comprehensive economic development strategic plan that will set the economic development priorities for Warren County and Vicksburg and guide the implementation of strategies and programs in the future.
Vicksburg and Warren County have many economic development assets and the Port Commission is working diligently to take advantage of those assets to make the local economy one of the strongest in the southeastern United States.
ABOUT THE PORT OF VICKSBURG
The Port of Vicksburg is owned by Warren County and managed by the Warren County Port Commission. The port opened in 1968 and has since risen to be one of the top inland Ports in America. In 2004, the Port of Vicksburg was ranked 11th among U. S. Inland Ports based on
trip ton miles.
Located on a slack-water harbor, this 422-acre (and growing) port consists of a 9,550 feet long harbor channel with minimum 300-foot width, and 12-foot minimum depth. A 4,850 feet long approach channel with 150-foot minimum width and 12-foot minimum depth, connects the
harbor channel to Vicksburg Harbor. The Port is approximately 55 acres with a potential 600 acres available for future development. The Port has twenty-one business and industries operating in it employing over 3,000 employees. The Port is also a designated a Foreign Trade
Zone, Port of Entry, and maintains a United States Customs service.
A rail and road loop allows direct access from barge to truck, to rail. Liquid warehouse facilities, barge fleeting, and marshalling services, and barge cleaning and refurbishing services are available.
Under general direction of the Executive Director, acts independently and uses analytical abilities and strong interpersonal skills to coordinate, direct, and implement a well-defined set of programs, projects, and processes that advance economic development in Vicksburg and Warren County. The successful candidate will also provide professional support to the executive director with other general economic development priorities including asset development, economic policy recommendation development, taxation, incentives, and financing mechanisms among others. The successful candidate will maintain a close working relationship with local industry representatives and other economic development stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be responsible for understanding and reporting on local industry trends, locating and providing demographic information, and coordinating and managing task forces with local industrial groups that promote job creation and economic development in the community. The position will require the exercise of independent judgment and technical knowledge of programs at the state, regional and federal level used to promote job creation through economic development programs.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Examples of Key Duties: (Duties are illustrative and not all inclusive. Individual assignments
may vary.)
- Supports the Executive Director in the overall implementation of the Vicksburg WarrenCounty Economic Development Strategic plan.
- Coordinates implementation of global recruitment program in coordination with state and regional stakeholders including state agencies, international agencies, and utility partners.
- Coordinates implementation of existing industry visitation program in coordination with regional and state economic development partners.
- Coordinates the activities of the Vicksburg Manufacturers Roundtable, the Ports & Transportation Industry Roundtable, and other existing industry forums and programs, including setting up speakers, coordinating invitations and event logistics, and coordination with existing industry to address important business climate issues.
- Maintains updated database of existing industry visits and works with existing industry to address issues affecting their operations in Warren County.
- Maintains updated database of sites, buildings, and properties for promotion of economic development in Warren County.
- Performs research to supports the expedited responses to RFI’s and RFP’s from recruitment prospects, as well as existing industry and other economic development inquiries.
- Leads and/ or supports the implementation of an entrepreneurship development program to meet the needs of emerging and small businesses in the Vicksburg Warren County region.
- Supports the development and implementation of programs that support the creation, attraction, and expansion of small and medium sized technology related businesses that have an interest in doing research and development with federal laboratories and other branches of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS.
- Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, vouchers, work orders, and any other specialized documents related to grant administration, operations, and any other projects and/or assets managed by the Warren County Port Commission.
- Coordinates accurate correspondence and documentation flow with other local governments offices as it relates to grant applications and administration procedures.
- Performs complex, technical, and/or specialized office support work, which requires the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, and a detailed knowledge of the activities, programs, and procedures specific to economic development initiatives.
- Performs other duties and special projects as directed by the Executive Director. Attends evening and weekend events as required.
- Some national and/or international travel might be required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, graphic design, marketing, economic development, or related field. Previous training in economic development and entrepreneurship development programs, including but not limited to EDI, IEDC, or other ED Courses and related
economic development professional training. A minimum of three years of working experience in economic development is preferred. A minimum of three years of work experience in any field is required. Experience working with manufacturers or within a manufacturing setting is desirable. A master degree is not required but preferred. ED certifications such as CEcD are not required but preferred.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office and mobile equipment, including computers and hand-held devices, and to attend meetings at various sites within and away from Warren County; strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10
pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
Knowledge Desired at entry:
- Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, subordinates, superiors, the general public, representatives of public and private organizations, and others sufficient to exchange or convey technical information in clear and concise ways.
- Knowledge of state and federal programs used to promote economic development at the local and regional level.
- Ability to effectively deal with people in a highly professional environment and with elected officials and their staff, in person, over the telephone, and through appropriate digital channels.
- Knowledge of economic development best practices and proven understanding of general business practices.
- Previous experience working in the economic development field.
- Skilled in conducting business and demographic research and developing analytical reports and related graphical representations.
- Strong English grammar and verbal fluency.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in basic Microsoft office software including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat and CRM databases. Experience working with Macintosh system (and applications) is highly desirable.
- Must have a positive and professional attitude and a desire to serve.
- Must be able to establish respectful and harmonious working relationships; have the ability to tactfully deal with community and economic development stakeholders, business representatives and economic development partners.
- Must be passionate about economic and community development and able and eager to work hard (in a past face environment) towards making a difference in the community.
Attendance Requirements
This is an exempt position;
COMPENSATION:
DOE + Full Health + Dental + PERS State Retirement + State Vacations & Holidays.
ABOUT WARREN COUNTY AND VICKSBURG
Located on the Mississippi River and within close proximity of the Mississippi State Capitol, Vicksburg is known as one of Mississippi’s most important logistic, industrial, and touristic centers. Direct access to the Mississippi River, Interstate I-20, and Class I railroad service through CSX provide businesses with an unrivaled array of transportation options to move products across the U.S and abroad; and the presence of the Vicksburg National Military Park, the only Civil War Military Park in the nation, make Vicksburg a unique tourism destination attracting over 2 million visitors per year.
Vicksburg is also known as the home of the largest Army Corps of Engineers Community in the world with more than 2,700 military and civilian employees doing national security research and development work to support the U.S. Military. As part of this research and development conglomerate, Vicksburg is home to the Engineering Research & Development Center, a national laboratory providing specialized research and development service to the U.S. Military.
Vicksburg is one of the most significant historic cities in the State of Mississippi. Dating back to the early 1,800’s the City boasts many historically significant sites and architectural wonders. The Vicksburg Courthouse, the City Hall, the Historic Post Office and Federal Court Building, and many other architecturally significant structures pepper the City landscape illustrating the richness of its past and the vibrancy of its present.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN WARREN COUNTY AND VICKSBURG
Economic development in Warren County is undergoing a revival. Three economic development organizations in the community (the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce, the Warren County Economic Development Foundation, and the Warren Port Commission) have recently joined together to form an economic development partnership that will lead all economic development efforts in the future. In the immediate term, these three organizations, together with the Warren County Board of Supervisors, City of Vicksburg, and the business community at large, will be developing a comprehensive economic development strategic plan that will set the economic development priorities for Warren County and Vicksburg and guide the implementation of strategies and programs in the future.
Vicksburg and Warren County have many economic development assets and the Port Commission is working diligently to take advantage of those assets to make the local economy one of the strongest in the southeastern United States.
ABOUT THE PORT OF VICKSBURG
The Port of Vicksburg is owned by Warren County and managed by the Warren County Port Commission. The port opened in 1968 and has since risen to be one of the top inland Ports in America. In 2004, the Port of Vicksburg was ranked 11th among U. S. Inland Ports based on
trip ton miles.
Located on a slack-water harbor, this 422-acre (and growing) port consists of a 9,550 feet long harbor channel with minimum 300-foot width, and 12-foot minimum depth. A 4,850 feet long approach channel with 150-foot minimum width and 12-foot minimum depth, connects the
harbor channel to Vicksburg Harbor. The Port is approximately 55 acres with a potential 600 acres available for future development. The Port has twenty-one business and industries operating in it employing over 3,000 employees. The Port is also a designated a Foreign Trade
Zone, Port of Entry, and maintains a United States Customs service.
A rail and road loop allows direct access from barge to truck, to rail. Liquid warehouse facilities, barge fleeting, and marshalling services, and barge cleaning and refurbishing services are available.
