Harbor Vitality Director - City of Morro Bay

The City of Morro Bay is seeking a dynamic and visionary Harbor Vitality Director to oversee the management of our beautiful waterfront and harbor operations, while spearheading economic development initiatives. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on our vibrant Embarcadero district, fostering economic growth, protecting natural resources, and guiding the maintenance and development of public infrastructure. If you're ready to take on this exciting career opportunity, then we encourage you to apply!

$157,310 - $191,235 annually with a 5% COLA on 7/1/25 and 5% COLA on 7/1/26 plus a generous benefits package. This position is not a remote role.

Full job flyer can be found HERE.

Under the administrative direction of the City Manager, the Harbor Vitality Director will plan, organize, and direct harbor operations and economic development initiatives. This role involves overseeing Harbor Department activities and functions such as property and lease management of Embarcadero lease sites, providing administrative oversight of Harbor Patrol and harbor business functions, addressing infrastructure needs, overseeing oceanfront-related federal, state, and local initiatives, and fulfilling other related duties. The Harbor Vitality Director will leverage new technologies and ideas to enhance service delivery, streamline operations, and increase revenue while managing contracts, drafting reports, and conducting financial analyses. Effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including the boating community, commercial fishing community, environmental groups, developers, lessees, City Council members, the advisory committee, employees, and the community is crucial.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, manages, organizes, and directs the operations and business activities of the Harbor Department.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategies to ensure efficient harbor operations.
• Negotiates and manages complex real property leases, leads the property management program, and negotiates long-term leases.
• Plans for the harbor's long-term needs, considering environmental, maritime, maintenance, safety, commercial, and economic factors.
• Implements and plans for future public infrastructure and capital improvement projects needed to ensure harbor vitality.
• Advises other City departments and consultants on lease compliance, maintenance, and language.
• Administers and manages the annual Harbor operating budget; manages operations to achieve goals within available financial resources.
• Consult with governmental agencies, other staff members, and the public; attend meetings, make presentations, and recommend departmental-related activities to appointed and elected officials.
• Prepares and manages grants, formal bid specifications, and proposal requests.
• Reviews and designs long-range plans to meet the harbor's needs, addressing environmental, navigation, fishing, commerce, and other related coastal concerns.
• Ensures conformance with the City's clean marina program and bay water quality efforts and coordinates and works with the National Estuary Program/Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan.
• Reviews and analyzes legislation affecting the City or the harbor, determining impact and recommending appropriate action.
• Assists and coordinates with other agencies, such as State Parks, the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Estuary Program, the California Coastal Commission, and the Marine Interest Group.

Examples of Economic and Real Estate Development Duties:

• Leads economic development efforts for the City, focusing on the Embarcadero and harbor areas.
• Performs City real estate transactions, including site characterization, appraisal, title review, environmental and geotechnical investigations, relocation, purchase and sale agreements, mitigation agreements, and site preparation.
• Prepares lease specifications and reviews applications for conditions for use of lease and sub-lease sites and lease amendments.
• Ensures leaseholder compliance with lease terms, contract-related performance, and delivery requirements and remedies non-compliance.
• Coordinates the City's efforts to strengthen the economic vitality of the harbor and City.
• Identifies and pursues opportunities for business growth, tourism development, and increased revenue generation. Implements initiatives that benefit the City.
• Analyzes the economic feasibility of potential projects and makes recommendations.
• Serves as liaison to various federal, state, and local public agencies, developers, contractors, professionals, and property owners.
• Fosters relationships with citizens, business owners, lessees, and developers to promote economic vitality.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Public policy and political process, especially as it relates to federal, state, county, and municipal governments.
• Commercial lease and contract negotiation, real estate management, and municipal finance.
• Principles of economic or real estate development, city planning theory and practice.
• Environmental regulations, project management, and government operations.
• Principles and basic practices of harbor management, maritime law, and economic development.
• Best practices in customer service, public relations, and community engagement.

Ability to:

• Manage multiple complex projects and departmental operations efficiently.
• Negotiate and manage property agreements and economic development initiatives.
• Manage and perform financial analysis and economic studies of real property.
• Plan for future public infrastructure and capital improvement.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with governmental agencies, businesses, and the public.
• Be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, with the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
• Work irregular hours for public meetings and events, including evenings.

Education & Experience:

•  A bachelor's degree in business, law, public policy, public administration, economic development, or a closely related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant field is highly desirable; AND
• Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in harbor management, economic development, real estate asset management, government operations, or a comparable field, with at least three years in a management capacity; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid California driver's license or ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications must be submitted online at https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/832/Employment-Opportunities   

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, and reference check; job-related tests may be required.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Interviews to be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 in Morro Bay, CA 

The City of Morro Bay is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the City's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons seeking employment or promotion to assure equal employment opportunity based upon ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, childbirth, breast-feeding, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics or information, military or veteran's status, and/or any other category protected by federal and/or state law.