Economic Development Specialist

This is a professional economic development position assisting with the attraction of new businesses to the County, the retention and expansion of existing County businesses, and the creation of new businesses.   The position will manage multiple marketing and communication projects and department messaging initiatives, and help the Director and Deputy Director carry out the mission of the department.   

1. Carries out department outreach, marketing, and communication initiatives
   • Communicate the department’s initiatives and accomplishments through various means;
   • Develop digital and printed marketing materials based on data, strategic plans, and other initiatives and documents
   • Represent the organization at various economic development functions;
2. Develops, implements, plans, schedules, monitors, and supervises large and complex department-specific marketing and communication projects;
3. Liaisons with local, regional, and state organizations related to the program;
4. Performs targeted industry communication for business attraction and retention
   • Oversee updates to the printed and digital versions of the Technology Resource Book;
   • Investigate and identify growth opportunities for business relocation and existing business expansion;
   • Research and support recruitment efforts for qualified companies;
   • Work with external organizations charged with regional marketing, business recruitment, business retention, and business expansion efforts;
   • Work with key retail districts to identify messaging strategies that would increase their vitality;
   • Foster entrepreneurship and small business growth communication;
5. Performs data analysis
   • Collect and organize industry specific market data and analyze economic trends;
   • Provide strategic advice and information on economic development activity, trends and issues;
   • Coordinate department participation on economic assumptions and forecasts;
6. Fosters a business and development friendly environment 
   • Help identify processes and regulations that hinder business establishment and work towards streamlining and simplifying;
   • Help coordinate economic development initiatives with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders;
   • Participate in established internal teams to coordinate large-scale development projects;
   • Review proposals for development opportunities and assist with multi-party negotiations for significant economic development projects;
7. Management and County Governance
   • Assess performance as compared with comprehensive economic development strategic plan;
   • Draft memos and reports for submittal in BoardDocs and other professional written correspondence;
   • Assist Director and Deputy Director with meeting preparation and follow-up;
   • Attend meetings on behalf of Director and Deputy Director and accompany them to meetings;
   • Coordinate and oversee contracts with outside agencies associated with economic development.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.

1. Ability to gain thorough knowledge of St. Mary’s County Government policies and procedures;
2. Ability to act as a representative of St. Mary’s County Government to the public;
3. Expert knowledge of department practices and procedures and of the practices, procedures, and concepts of the assigned programs;
4. Knowledge of relevant Federal, State, and Local regulations relative to the operations of specific projects and programs;
5. Ability to effectively communicate with other staff members;
6. Ability to effectively monitor staff performance;
7. Ability to develop, implement, prioritize, and coordinate program-related activities; 
8. Ability to use available resources to research information;
9. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records;
10. Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software.

1. Bachelor’s degree;
2. Five years or more of related experience;
3. Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience.

1. Must successfully pass background investigation with favorable results;
2. Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

Physical and Environmental Conditions: 

Work requires light physical effort in the handling of light materials or boxes and tools or equipment in non-strenuous work positions up to 30 pounds and/or continual standing or walking of 60%/+ of the time.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings and training rooms.