Job Description

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a temporary full-time Economic Development Officer (FLiCK Liaison) position in the Economic Development & Tourism division. This temporary full-time opportunity is for a period up to one year.

Job description

The Economic Development Officer (FLiCK Liaison) will investigate and research the potential of Chatham-Kent becoming a filming sector destination and its impact on the local economy. A thriving film, television, and streaming industry generates employment opportunities, provides increased tourism experiences, cultural exchanges, and increases the community\'s visibility outside its borders.

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent\'s core values and competencies.
• Gauge the municipal and community interest in pursuing the film industry in Chatham-Kent
• Access film and television development issues and trends, identify investment opportunities and determine the economic impact this sector would contribute to the Municipality
• Consult with various municipal departments to investment what practices, processes and procedures would be needed to be implemented/allowed if the filming industry came to fruition in Chatham-Kent
• Review of best practices of surrounding film industry offices including Film Guidelines and Codes of Conduct that are effective tools to moderate filming and mitigate negative impacts
• Development and draft of a Film Guidelines tool that would include legislative implications (relative to residential areas including a limit on consecutive days of production duration, standard hours for filming industry, notification of residents); resource implications (community liaison prior to and during filming); economic development implications (monitoring of situations as they arise);
• Explore the feasibility/necessity of providing an incentive program to position Chatham-Kent as a production-friendly region for filmmakers, film/television/streaming production companies, independent film producers, TV networks, commercial producers and other media arts creators;
• In co-operation with Legal Services, the creation of a draft Film Permit Application including the coordination of permits required i.e., Road Occupancy, Delegation of Authority, Traffic, Parking, Fire, Policy, Security, etc.;
• In co-operation with Legal Services, development of a draft municipal by-law around filming, seeking direction on whether to regulate all film activity across the city, including private property, or regulate only those productions using public/municipally owned property;
• Draft related by-laws including but not inclusive of: Code of Conduct, applicable by-laws, Road Occupancy, Delegation of Authority, Traffic and Parking to include filming as an activity;
• Investigation into the necessity of changing the current zoning by-law to restrict filming in particular zones according to density, allowing all filming in zones with a medium or higher density and prohibiting filming in specific low-density zones;
• Providing concierge services to new and existing filmmakers in Chatham-Kent during the length of the contract. Concierge services include mentorship, having an understanding of current programs and services available to support filmmakers, providing advisory services, and leveraging relationships within the business community to assist filmmakers as well as municipal partners to achieve their goals
• Research what details the Municipality should record in regards to an inventory of potential property and locations
• Create an inventory of potential property and set locations both municipally-owned and privately-owned
• Explore and attend film conventions and workshops industry events to investigate the sector interest in filming in Chatham-Kent.
• Present a Report to Council with the exploration results including but not limited to: potential of economic spin-offs, community and economic impacts as well as any other relevant findings that demonstrate the feasibility or non-viability of filming in Chatham-Kent.
• Act as an Ambassador of Chatham-Kent.
• Assist with other Economic Development initiatives as required.

Essential qualifications

• College diploma or university degree (preferably in a business, accounting, administrative or economic development program), with four (4) to six (6) years of related experience
• Professional experience in the film and television industry and knowledge of and experience in not-for-profit organizational management;
• Experience in marketing, media and public relations and a track record of successfully encouraging the delivery of exceptional customer service;
• Ability to attend to detail, understand policies and procedures and make recommendations to develop processes;
• Able to deal effectively with all levels of staff, councillors, the public and external stakeholders;
• Ability to multi-task and effectively carry out various duties and responsibilities;
• General knowledge and understanding of the operational demands of the film and television industry; as well as knowledge of Chatham-Kent\'s geography, street, and traffic patterns;
• Ability to interpret by-laws, municipal policy and guidelines towards the issuance of permits;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook);
• Able to support the Municipality of Chatham-Kent\'s values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and a respectful workplace.

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works both indoors and outdoors
• This position works weekday hours, with occasional evening and weekend hours
• Must be able to identify hazards and use personal property equipment properly in different workplaces

COVID-19 Vaccination

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent no longer requires a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Although it is not mandatory to be vaccinated, it is highly encouraged.

Driver\'s licence/vehicle requirements

Because of the responsibilities, this position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G Ontario driver\'s licence; a driver\'s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver\'s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no \'non-medical or administrative\' license suspension in the preceding three (3) years.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: Police Criminal Record Check, education/certification verification, and employment reference check.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Bending: constant stooping (up to 4.55 kgs or 10 lbs) (moving boxes, transferring files)
• Walking: constant walking on level surface (conduct site tours of industrial /commercial buildings with potential clients interested in buying/leasing space)
• Sitting: frequent sitting in a vehicle seat; constant sitting in a chair (office work, driving to and from site tours and meetings)
• Standing: frequent standing inside, outside (onsite meeting at industrial /commercial buildings, working at trade show booths, conferences)
• Hands: constant fine finger dexterity (movement) (office work, computer typing, moving/transferring file folders, boxes, moving large displays)

Benefits

This temporary full-time position will receive 15% in lieu of benefits (which includes group benefits, statutory & non-statutory holidays, and non-enrolment in OMERS) and 4% vacation pay.



The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.

Chatham-Kent