Economic Development Manager - Dallas Area Rapid Transit

General Summary:

Responsible for supporting the AVP of Economic Development in pursuit of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities and implementation of the DART TOD Policy and Guidelines. Under the direction of the AVP of Economic Development, this position will pursue and coordinate economic development opportunities for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in conjunction with existing and planned DART facilities and in collaboration with municipalities, developers, and other public and private partners. A focus of this division is seeking and implementing opportunities to facilitate third party joint development projects integrated with, or supporting, existing and future DART facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages economic development activities and joint development projects for DART and provides technical support.
• Supervises, coordinates, and develops special planning projects, station area planning and economic development studies.
• Coordinates with other DART staff and consultants on planning projects with a focus on real estate and development impacts within the DART service area.
• Assists with periodic updates of DART’s inventory and assessment of surplus real property with TOD potential, recommends strategic acquisition and disposal of properties, and provide updates to the DART Board as needed.
• Identifies, pursues, and coordinates joint development opportunities around and at DART properties and transit facilities and coordinates with the Real Estate division.
• Assists in the negotiation and administration of development agreements with public and private entities to facilitate the development and implementation of the DART TOD Policy.
• Provides guidance and collaborates closely with city officials on economic development opportunities.
• Serves as a valuable resource of knowledge and expertise regarding all economic development matters for DART internal and external stakeholders.
• Works with external public and private agencies, associations, and special interest groups regarding development potential around transit facilities.
• Assists with development strategies encouraging transit-supportive land uses.
• Identifies, evaluates, and advises on station and site design modifications, as appropriate, that would better allow good joint development outcomes and take advantage of underutilized DART properties in coordination with other DART departments.
• Develops methods, techniques, and processes for researching, evaluating, and/or obtaining project opportunities and results to the disposition or partnership opportunities for DART’s surplus or underutilized real properties to increase potential transit ridership, create active residential and employment centers at stations and facilities and provide direct or indirect financial benefit to DART.
• Identifies, evaluates, and implements the process to select a development partner for joint development opportunities (such as RFP, RFI, RFQ, unsolicited proposal, etc.)
• Manages and supervises consultant tasks to include data adequacy reviews, approval of methodologies, approval of deliverables, compliance with project budgets and schedules, and quality control.
• Makes public presentations and represents DART in transit-related conferences and events.
• Collaborates with other DART departments to publicize the agency’s economic development activities and achievements internally and externally.
• Monitors federal rules and program opportunities and consults with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) officials to ensure compliance.
• Seeks grant funding and other resources to support programs and projects related to DART’s economic development activities.
• Preserves and grows DART’s economic development-related expertise, relationships, and institutional knowledge.
• Manages DART’s economic development records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities Required:

Note: An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the below stated minimums excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Transportation, Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, Engineering, or related field.
• Four (4) years progressively responsible experience in Transportation or Urban Planning, economic and joint development projects, coordinating activities between multiple departments and disciplines, federal transit programs and standard transportation planning practices, to include three (3) years experience supervising staff or consultants. Preferred experience in one or more of the following: large scale property development/implementation, real estate development, commercial real estate brokerage activities, financing of real estate development and community development.
• Pass a physical (medical) examination that includes a drug screen in order to operate DART non-revenue vehicles.
• Knowledge of budget development/analysis, and operational cost factors.
• Proficiency of PC software applications to include Microsoft Office or other related software applications.
• Analytical and creative skills to find solutions to complex interpersonal, technical, and administrative problems.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to be mobile and occasionally, 15%-25% of work time, lift objects weighing 5-30 pounds such as books, computer binders, or files.
• Ability to demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to DART in handling materials and information of a confidential nature.
• Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Ability to blend people into teams when needed. Creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team. Fosters open dialogue. Defines success in terms of the whole team. Creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; interpersonal skills to sensitively communicate with all levels of supervisory and non-supervisory employees, government and civic leaders, Board members, and others inside and outside of DART; can get messages across that have the desired effect.
• Ability to marshal resources to get things done; uses resources effectively and efficiently; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal.
• Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; can see hidden problems.
• Ability to quickly develop technical understanding; is good at learning new industry, company, or technical knowledge.
• Ability to accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Breaks down work into the process steps. Develops schedules and task/people assignments. Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks. Measures performance against goals. Evaluates results.
• Ability to read a situation quickly. Good at focused listening. Can effectively negotiate difficult agreements and settle disputes equitably. Can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.

Working Conditions:

Works in an environment where there is minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be moderately exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals while visiting DART's operating facilities, assuming incumbent is observing all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and using all protective clothing and devices provided.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may perform other duties as assigned.

DART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity in the workplace. M/F/D/V

Open until qualified applicants are identified.

JR102254