Economic Development Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $122,592.70 - $149,012.24 Annually
Location : Colton City Hall, 650 N. La Cadena Dr., Colton, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25/26-00070
Department: Development Services
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
Closing Date: 6/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Definition
The City of Colton has an exciting future opportunity for an Economic Development Manager! The City is looking for a candidate that possess experience in Real Estate, collaborate with stakeholders to develop marketing strategies in promoting the City, work closely with Development Services and City Manager's Office. The City attends the annual I.C.S.C. Convention and is an important event for the City to showcase our growing community.
DEFINITION:
Under general direction of the Development Services Director, plans, manages, organizes, and directs the operations and services of the Economic Development Division, the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, the Oversight Board, and the Colton Housing Authority. Implement Economic Development programs and activities for the City, emphasizing the stimulation of business retention, expansion, attraction and workforce development, while enhancing the City's economic bases. Serves as coordinator for major economic development projects, prepares studies and reports, and coordinates development activities with other City departments, officials and/or outside agencies.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Economic Development Manager is the management class level responsible for the operations, activities and services of the Economic Development Division, the Successor Agency, the Oversight Board, and the Colton Housing Authority.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff and consultants.
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Accept management and administrative responsibility for all Economic Development, Successor Agency, Oversight Board, and Colton Housing Authority funding activities to ensure compliance with State and Federal requirements and services including commercial, industrial and housing development within the City in accordance with state laws.
• Align and coordinate goals and work programs of the Economic Development Division with adopted Citywide programs, policies and priorities.
• Implement and manage major Economic Development and business retention, expansion and attraction projects, including commercial and industrial development in the City.
• Develop and implement public relations, marketing programs and materials to promote the City to prospective businesses through trade shows, publications, and exhibits. Research and maintain a variety of information regarding properties, economic interest, environmental and land planning data within the City and provide to interested parties.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to direct the development of marketing strategies to promote the City and attract investment from developers and tenants.
• Assists with negotiating and managing real property transactions with public agencies and/or land developers and individual property owners and their representatives for land acquisition and/or disposition of City property, including exclusive negotiating agreements, development agreements, disposition and development agreements, purchase and sale agreements and lease agreements.
• Prepare and manage complex Economic Development policy and program activities and budgets; recommend and manage expenditure within the budget. Prepares and maintains data records and reports.
• Prepare resolutions and staff reports; may present at Council and Board meetings.
• Contribute to and participate in developing, and maintaining Economic Development goals, objectives, policies and priorities; ensure established goals and priorities are achieved.
• Plan, direct and coordinate implementation of the Economic Development work plan through appropriate staff. Delegate work activities and responsibilities to appropriate personnel, review and evaluate work methods and procedures, and identify and resolve problems and/or issues.
• Meet with local and regional stakeholders on a regular basis to evaluate business and market conditions.
• Make recommendations regarding the economic climate and possible interventions of a sustained local economy.
• Conduct and coordinate a variety of economic analysis, research, marketing plans, strategies, projects, and partner programs designed to support efforts to promote and enhance regional economic vitality.
• Establish and maintain liaison relationships with organizations, private business firms, developers, brokers, public agencies, property owners, and the public to promote and facilitate the planning and execution of economic development activities.
• Serve as technical advisor and staff liaison to the Successor Agency and Housing Authority Board of Directors, City Manager/Executive Director.
• Make public presentations to legislative bodies, public agencies, community groups, development associations, potential investors, and other major groups regarding business development process and specific project activity.
• Supervise and direct activities of staff, including employee selection, work assignment, performance evaluations, employee development, disciplinary action, and work complaint resolution.
• Produce reports based on Successor Agency and Oversight Board requirements, laws and procedures.
• Coordinate with the Finance Department in the preparation of Recognized Obligation Payment Schedules, Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund, and tax allocation bond funding.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Colton Chamber of Commerce.
• May write grant applications for federal and state funding programs.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in economic development, urban planning, public or business administration, real estate or closely related field is required. A Master's degree is desirable.
AND
Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience in economic development, real estate, marketing, urban planning, and/or public relations; including two (2) years of development project management that includes interaction with elected or high level officials and/or business executives.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid Class "C" California Driver's license and good driving record.

Additional Information
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of Economic Development Administration. Methods and techniques of business attraction, retention, expansion and for start-up business. Principles and practices concerning the dissolution law of Redevelopment. Research methods and sources of information relating to economic development. Principles of organization, administration, budget and personnel management. Principles and practices of program economic development, financing, budget and administration. Methods and techniques of supervision, training and motivation. Methods and techniques of effective marketing. Applicable Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations with special emphasis on Economic Development Administration, Successor Agency and Oversight Board Dissolution laws. Modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software. Methods and techniques for basic report preparation and writing.
Ability to:
Strong vision and understanding of economic development and revitalization including attraction and retaining new investment. Excellent communication skills and the ability to create cohesion and action around a shared vision. Transition economic development leads into partnerships with business decision makers. Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with elected officials, businesses, colleagues, and departments. Consider new approaches and develop creative solutions to challenges. Listen and communicate and be a decisive and effective real estate negotiator. Plan, organize, select and direct the work of subordinate staff under supervision. Manage and oversee the operations and activities of Economic Development. Interpret economic development programs to the general public. Courteously respond to community issues, concerns and needs. Analyze complex issues and develop and implement an appropriate response. Analyze and evaluate new and existing service delivery methods and standard operating procedures. Apply applicable laws, codes and regulations. Work in a fast paced environment with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks. Provide excellent customer service and maintain a cooperative positive attitude. Operate a motor vehicle on City streets.
Positions designated in the Teamsters Local 1932 Mid-Manager Unit receive the following benefits:

• Cafeteria amount for the purchase of medical, dental, and vision insurance is $1,625.00/mo effective August, 2024.
• Employees hired on or after May 1, 2018, shall have a maximum cap of $500 for cash in-lieu.
• Up to 80 hours per year of vacation accrued for 0 - 5 years of service
• Up to 96 hours of sick leave (8 hours accrued monthly)
• 12 paid holidays (per calendar year)
• 20 floating holiday hours (per fiscal year)
• California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) for Miscellaneous Members:
  Classic Members hired prior to 6/1/2012 benefit level is 2.7% @ 55
  Classic Members hired after 6/1/2012 benefit level is 2.5% @ 55
  PEPRA Members hired after 1/1/2013 benefit level is 2% @ 62
• CalPERS 4th Level 1959 Survivor Benefit
• City paid short term and long term disability insurance coverage
• City paid life insurance coverage in the amount of $50,000
• City does not participate in the Social Security System
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $2,500 per fiscal year after passing probation.
• Six month probationary period.

01
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with major work in economic development, urban planning, public or business administration, real estate, or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Please indicate how many years of experience you possess as a professional in performing economic development, redevelopment, urban planning, real estate or a closely related field. If you do not possess experience please click on "n/a".

• 3-4 years
• 4-5 years
• 5+ years
• N/A

03
Do you possess full-time professional experience in the following areas below. Please select all that apply. If you do not possess experience please select "N/A".

• Economic Development
• Redevelopment
• Housing
• Marketing
• Urban Planning
• Real Estate Development
• N/A

04
Do you possess experience supervising or managing lower level personnel? If so how many years experience do you possess, please select from below options. If no experience please select "No supervisory experience."

• 1-2 years supervisory experience
• 2-3 years supervisory experience
• 3-4 years supervisory experience
• 4+ years supervisory experience
• No supervisory experience

05
Do you have experience promoting, either agencies or larger corporations, at large scale events?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you worked with boards, commissions, or council members, to present recommendations for projects?

• Yes
• No

Required Question