Economic Development Business Program Specialist

Job Description:

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to serve as an Economic Development Business Program Specialist. This position plays a key role in supporting the County’s business community by advancing strategic initiatives focused on business retention, expansion, and economic vitality.
 
The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of analytical thinking, project coordination, and relationship management skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, public-sector environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to work directly with local businesses, elected and appointed officials, and regional partners while contributing to high-impact programs, including the County’s Economic Development Loan Fund and signature business outreach initiatives.
 
This position is well-suited for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of business, data, and public service; and is detail-oriented, customer service-oriented, and passionate about helping businesses succeed and thrive in our community.

This classification coordinates business retention, expansion, and business program initiatives for Calvert County. The position plays a central role in advancing countywide economic development objectives by managing complex business assistance activities, analyzing business and economic data, coordinating high-visibility programs and events, and serving as a support liaison to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC).

The role requires the exercise of independent judgment, discretion, and subject-matter expertise in economic development, business operations, and public-sector programs. The position handles sensitive and confidential business information and regularly interacts with senior staff, elected and appointed officials, state and regional partners, and the business community. Work is performed under general supervision of the Business Retention Specialist.

Essential Job Functions

Business Programs, Retention & Expansion

• At a junior consulting level, provides new, existing, and expanding businesses professional-level guidance on available county, state, and regional economic development programs, incentives, and resources through the supervision of the Business Development and Retention Specialists.

• Leads the coordination, documentation, and monitoring of business retention and expansion activities, ensuring timely follow-up, data accuracy, and alignment with departmental goals.

• Supports the analysis of confidential business data and assists in preparing interpretive reports that highlight trends, risks, and opportunities to inform program development, policy considerations, and leadership decision-making.  

• Coordinates outreach to new and expanding businesses through permit tracking, site visits, and proactive engagement strategies; develops regular reports summarizing findings and impacts.

• Helps prepare business resources, summaries, and informational materials for client use.

• Refers clients to appropriate internal programs and external partner organizations as needed.

Data Management, Analysis & Reporting

• Maintains and manages business assistance databases and related tracking systems; ensures data integrity and produces detailed analytical reports used for internal planning, performance measurement, and external reporting.

• Analyzes business, permitting, and program data to identify economic development trends and emerging issues affecting the local business community.

• Prepares recurring and ad hoc reports that support business development initiatives, site selection assistance, and strategic economic development planning.

]Economic Development Authority (EDA) & Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC)

• Serves as the support staff liaison to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC).

• Assists with the coordination of EDA and EDAC operations, including meeting schedules, agendas, materials, public notices, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedural requirements, including open meetings requirements and preparation of materials for closed sessions of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) as permitted by law.

• Attends EDA and EDAC meetings; records, prepares, and maintains official meeting minutes and documentation.

• Provides administrative and program support for the Economic Development Loan Fund through application intake, tracking loan activity, maintaining records, and supporting compliance and reporting.

Outreach, Events & Partner Coordination

• Supports the planning and coordination of business outreach programs and signature events, including Business Appreciation Week, job and employment fairs, workshops, seminars, and related initiatives.

• Maintains active working relationships with local, regional, and state economic development partners; represents the department at meetings, workshops, and professional events as assigned.

• Evaluates feedback and participation data from events and outreach efforts to inform future programming and continuous improvement.

Communications & Public Information

• Develops business program-related content for departmental websites, e-blasts, and social media platforms; collaborates with the Department of Communications and Media Relations (CMR) to ensure accuracy, consistency, and strategic alignment.

• Ensures business retention, expansion, and commission-related information is current, accurate, and accessible to the public.

• Drafts written materials, reports, and correspondence related to business programs, commissions, and economic development initiatives.

Administrative Leadership & Compliance

• Ensures compliance with established County policies, procedures, and administrative requirements related to economic development programs and commission activities.

• Maintains official policy, guidance, and program files for assigned business programs and commissions.

• Serves as a resource to department staff, commission members, and County leadership on business programs, commission processes, loan fund operations, and economic development best practices.

• Provides functional backup support to other professional and administrative staff as required.

Other Duties

• Performs related professional-level work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Economic development principles, practices, and business retention and expansion strategies.

• Business operations, finance, and public-sector economic development programs.

• Applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing public commissions and authorities.

• Data management, reporting, and analysis techniques related to economic and business indicators.

• Public-sector communications, stakeholder engagement, and confidentiality requirements.

Ability to:

• Perform professional-level economic development work requiring independent judgment and discretion.

• Analyze and interpret business and economic data and prepare clear, actionable reports.

• Effectively support advisory boards and authorities, including meeting coordination, compliance, and documentation.

• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse audiences.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with business leaders, elected and appointed officials, staff, and partner organizations.

• Manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Required Qualifications

Training and/or Education:

Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, public administration, marketing, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.

Experience:

• Three years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, business assistance, business operations, or a related field, including experience with data analysis, program coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Licenses or Certificates:

• Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements:

• Operation of a County-owned vehicle.

Physical Demands

• Requires ordinary physical effort, including prolonged operation of keyboard devices, event support and attendance at meetings

Unusual Demands

• Work is subject to frequent interruptions and periodic evening meetings related to commission and business events.

FLSA Status

• Nonexempt

Compensation Steps:

Pay rate: $33.05 - $37.91 per hour; $60,151 - $68,996 annually

Grade 722, full-time position, 35 hours per week

Economic Development

Position closing date: August 5, 2026

Please Note: This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on August 5, 2026. To be considered for the role, ensure that your application is submitted before the deadline. The position will be removed from the website as of 12:00 a.m. on August 6th.

This position allows for telework, meaning the employee may be able to work from home or another offsite location for part of the workweek, but they are still required to come into the office regularly. This arrangement is at the supervisor's discretion and may change based on business needs.

Calvert County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Benefits include:

• 15 days of sick leave

• 10 days of annual leave

• 5 days of personal leave

• 13 paid holidays *14 in an election year

• Defined Contribution Plan

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Flexible spending accounts

• Up to 80% tuition reimbursement

• Gym membership discounts

Please Note: A complete application is required to be considered for a position within Calvert County Government. All prior work experience, education, and other certifications should be entered into the application and supplemental questions should be answered completely. Attachments are not provided to hiring managers unless you are selected for an interview.

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] with as much notice as possible.