TOWN OF TAOS, NEW MEXICO
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This is truly an exciting opportunity to provide leadership and management as the Community and Economic Development Director of a community rich in the high quality of life features important to us today. Taos is a culturally diverse high quality of life community located on the high-desert mesa at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico. The Town of Taos is seeking a Director of Community and Economic Development to work directly with regional, area and state economic development groups, chambers of commerce and other civic leaders/organizations to collectively generate new job creation and quality of life for all citizens within communities served by the Town of Taos. The ideal candidate for Director of Community and Economic Development should be committed to providing the highest quality of service to the Taos community. The successful candidate must have a Master's Degree in urban and regional planning, engineering, political science, geography, business administration, marketing, finance, urban planning, public administration or community/economic development from an accredited four-year college or university. A related PhD is desirable. The successful candidate should also posses a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible economic, business, industrial or community development experience and the ability to obtain CEcD (Certified Economic Developer) certification within an appropriate timeframe. In lieu of a Master's degree, the successful candidate must possess a bachelor's degree and extensive experience in upper level management in business, local government or a regional planning or economic development organization with a job focus on program administration, problem solving or local economic or community development mandatory, and fifteen years of progressively responsible experience performing above or related duties; five years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity. The selected candidate should be able to clearly and effectively demonstrate abilities to manage and direct a comprehensive economic development program; develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures; analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments; identify and respond to sensitive community and organization issues, concerns and needs. Under the general direction of the Town Manager, the new Director will plan, direct and manage activities and operations of Community and Economic Development, including redevelopment and business retention; and Community Planning. The new Director will perform a variety of professional, administrative and managerial duties related to community and economic development, planning, directing, organizing, and controlling the community and economic development department, including planning. The new Director may serve on community and economic development committees and boards and must be able to facilitate the vision, goals, and objective of the Town into programs, activities and contract while being inclusive in working with assists and coordinates with members of local governments and other organizations and entities regarding programs and services. Required knowledge includes operation, service and activity of a comprehensive economic development program; principles and practice of economic development and redevelopment; principles and practice of marketing and business development. The Town of Taos is a six square mile municipality of approximately 5,000 residents founded in 1934. The surrounding County of Taos takes that population figure to 30,000. However, small though it may be in physical geography, Taos is a place that has an incredible history and reputation of international influence and proportions. Taos sees nearly 2 million visitors a year through its winding and intimate streets. Ask anyone from Japan, Germany, the U.K., Canada -- or any other international traveling population -- and “Taos” brings up alluring images on a variety of fronts. Taos is an idea. Taos is a journey. Taos believes in open government protecting the health, safety, welfare and environment of its citizens. The Town of Taos has a Mayor/Council form of government, along with an appointed Town Manager to manage the affairs of the Town. Taos Pueblo has a sovereign government consisting of a governor and war chief, along with staffs for each, which are appointed yearly by the Tribal Council, a group of some 50 male tribal elders. The tribal governor and his staff are concerned with civil and business issues within the village and relations with the non-Indian world. The starting salary for the Community and Economic Development Director of the Town of Taos will be market competitive, depending on the experience, qualifications and salaried history of the selected individual. The expected starting salary will be in the range of $60,000. In addition, the Town of Taos expects to provide an excellent fringe benefit package. For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 505-466-9500; mercer@mindspring.com. Confidential resumes should be sent immediately to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 551 West Cordova Road, #726, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Voice: 505-466-9500; Fax: 505-466-1274. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website: www.mercergroupinc.com. The Town of Taos, New Mexico, is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age marital or veteran status, the presence of a non-job-related medical or handicap, or any other legally protected status.