Economic Development & Outreach Coordinator

JOB SUMMARYYour job in the department is to . . . Serve as the City’s primary front-facing contact for existing businesses, prospective businesses, entrepreneurs, commercial property owners, brokers, developers, and economic-development partners. The position plans and implements proactive business recruitment, retention, and expansion activities intended to strengthen Snohomish’s business base, encourage private investment, support quality employment opportunities, and improve the experience of doing business with the City. The position develops and manages a qualified business-prospect pipeline; conducts regular outreach to existing businesses; coordinates timely responses to business, development, and site-location inquiries; connects businesses with City processes and external resources; maintains current commercial property and economic data; and tracks and reports measurable program activity and outcomes. The position works across City departments to help businesses navigate permitting, licensing, infrastructure, and other municipal processes while maintaining appropriate boundaries between customer assistance and regulatory decision-making. The position also supports tourism, placemaking, business-focused events, and targeted communications when those activities advance the City’s economic-development strategy. The position is expected to make a demonstrable, measurable contribution to increasing the City’s business base through sustained recruitment, retention, expansion, and business-assistance activities.
Your job also involves . . .Providing staff liaison support to the Economic Development Advisory Board, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Snohomish Chamber of Commerce, Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, and the associated Parking and Business Improvement Area Fund. This position will also serve as the program coordinator for the Snohomish Business Boost Accelerator Program. This is a highly visible position that must maintain a high level of customer service to other City departments and to the public. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESTasks listed are intended to be descriptive and not restrictive. An employee in this classification may perform any of the tasks listed; however, these examples do not include all the tasks which an employee may be expected to perform.For each function (Should not include much more than 10 functions), indicate the frequency each function is performed (D=Daily, W=Weekly, M=Monthly, Q=Quarterly, AN=As Needed).Estimate the distribution of total working time on an annual basis using percentages of not less than 5%. Total percentage of time must add up to 100%.Number of Job Functions:3

JOB FUNCTIONS	FREQUENCY	ANNUAL % OF TIME
Economic Development & Tourism Advocates for existing and prospective businesses by facilitating communication and resolving issues in coordination with City staff, elected officials, and partner organizations. Implement economic development initiatives related to business retention and expansion (BR&E), business recruitment, cultural arts, tourism, and economic vitality. Serves as the primary City contact for business-location, relocation, and expansion inquiries, connecting businesses with appropriate City departments and external resources. Identifies and cultivates prospective businesses aligned with the City’s adopted economic development goals and priorities. Organizes business prospect meetings and site visits and coordinates participation by appropriate City departments and external partners. Conducts regular outreach visits with local business owners and managers to identify needs, address concerns, and support business retention and growth. Research and implements programs and strategies to attract new businesses, support existing businesses, and encourage investment and expansion. Research and communicates public and private economic development resources, including grants, financing programs, small business assistance, tax incentives, and other business support opportunities. Evaluates proposed City and state legislation for potential economic impacts and prepares related reports and recommendations. Develops and maintains demographic, market, business, and available land data to identify economic trends and opportunities. Prepares economic development marketing materials and presentations for City Council, business groups, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Administers the City’s data analytics platform and serves as the primary resource for related data, trends, and analytical tools. Represents the City at business meetings, economic development conferences, and other relevant events to strengthen partnerships and advance economic development goals. Maintains effective relationships with economic development organizations, business associations, community groups, government agencies, City leadership, and staff. Serve as staff liaison to Boards and Committees, coordinating meetings, communications, and related initiatives. Serves as program coordinator for the Snohomish Business Boost Accelerator Program, coordinating program activities, supporting participating businesses, and collaborating with relevant partners to advance business growth and development.	D	50%
Communications & Community Engagement Develops and maintains relationships with residents, community organizations, advisory groups, and other stakeholders to support meaningful public participation. Collaborate with City departments to develop outreach tools and resources that improve public access to information and support inclusive engagement. Assists the Director with media inquiries, public information, and the preparation and coordination of public presentations. Monitors media coverage and public feedback to identify emerging issues, community interests, and opportunities to improve City communications. Advises and supports City departments in developing outreach strategies for City programs, projects, services, and planning initiatives. Develops and maintains communications plans, content calendars, messaging templates, and digital content to support consistent Citywide communications. Identifies and implements effective communication methods and digital platforms to reach diverse audiences and improve access to City information. Evaluates communication and engagement efforts using available data, public feedback, and performance measures to recommend improvements. Apply inclusive communication practices to reduce barriers to participation and strengthen trust between the City and the community.	D	30%
Event Planning & Promotion Plans, organizes, and evaluates City-sponsored events, community forums, meetings, and special activities that support community vitality, placemaking, and economic development. Coordinates event logistics, including scheduling, site arrangements, equipment, supplies, vendors, staffing, volunteers, setup, and cleanup. Develops and implements promotional strategies for City events in coordination with relevant departments and community partners. Identifies and pursues grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and other funding opportunities to support events and community initiatives. Evaluates event participation, feedback, and outcomes to identify opportunities to improve future events and strengthen community engagement.	W	15%
Customer Service & Interdepartmental Collaboration Provides administrative, operational, and project support to the Director and department staff to advance departmental priorities and maintain continuity of services. Provides cross-functional support and backup for departmental programs, projects, public meetings, communications, records management, and customer service functions during staff absences, peak workloads, or emergency situations. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.	AN	5%

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY1 - Little or no supervisor responsibility for work of othersMinimum Education Level 3 - Bachelor's (if specific fields, list below)Specifics: Degree in Economics, Business, Public Administration, or related field. Minimum Experience LevelTwo- Three years (if in specific skills/fields, list below)Specifics: Public Relations, Digital Marketing, Communications, Business, Hospitality, and/or Administrative Support. Substitution Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.  CertificationsNone requiredSpecifics: N/A                                           Driver’s LicenseWashington state driver's license Specifics: N/A Other Licenses None requiredSpecifics: N/A Desirable Qualifications: N/A
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The required knowledge, skills and/or abilities are listed below: Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and approaches to municipal economic development, including business retention, expansion, recruitment, entrepreneurship, and local economic growth.
• Municipal and strategic planning processes, land use regulations, zoning, permitting, and development procedures as they relate to business investment and community growth.
• Local and regional economic conditions, market trends, demographic and workforce data, commercial development, and factors influencing business location and investment decisions.
• City organization, operations, policies, procedures, and interdepartmental responsibilities.
• Business assistance programs, economic development resources, grants, financing opportunities, and services offered by local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
• Principles and practices of public relations, public information, community engagement, and strategic communications in a municipal environment.
• Communication methods and techniques, including professional writing, journalistic writing, graphic design, desktop publishing, website development, social media, and digital content production.
• Audience analysis, public opinion research, outreach evaluation, performance measurement, and methods for assessing the effectiveness of programs and initiatives.
• Project management principles, administrative practices, and procedures for planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating projects.
• Computer applications, information management systems, digital communication platforms, and administrative technologies used in municipal operations.
• English language usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Public Records Act requirements, records retention practices, disclosure procedures, and applicable municipal recordkeeping requirements.

 Skill or ability to:

• Develop and implement initiatives that support business recruitment, retention, expansion, and local economic vitality.
• Identify business needs and connect business owners, prospective investors, and property owners with appropriate City departments, programs, and external resources.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with businesses, community organizations, regional partners, and other stakeholders.
• Research, analyze, and synthesize information to identify opportunities, evaluate alternatives, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Coordinate projects, business outreach, community events, and collaborative initiatives while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Develop and deliver clear, engaging communications and presentations tailored to diverse audiences, including written, digital, visual, and multimedia content.
• Facilitate meetings, respond professionally to inquiries, and communicate complex information in accessible language.
• Apply inclusive engagement practices to build trust, reduce barriers to participation, and strengthen relationships with diverse and historically underrepresented communities.
• Monitor project outcomes, evaluate effectiveness, and recommend improvements based on data, feedback, and established objectives.
• Exercise initiative, sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy while resolving issues and adapting to changing priorities.
• Use technology and relevant software to organize information, manage projects, analyze data, and support City operations.
• Maintain professional working relationships, demonstrate accountability for work quality and timeliness, and comply with applicable City policies and procedures.

• Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the City, using language and a format the audience will best understand.   
• Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (i.e. word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software).
•  Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the City.  Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and working to maintain constructive working relationships.  
• Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.  Show up to work on time, and follows instructions, policies, and procedures.  Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.   

WORKING CONDITIONSJob Conditions: All staff positions at the City are required to be available to report to work during off hours in case of emergency and perform duties as assigned. Must be available nights and weekends.   Work Location: City of Snohomish Travel: Within City limits and regionally for events, trainings, meetings and conferences. PHYSICAL DEMANDSEnvironment: Standard office setting; frequent interaction with City staff and the general public; exposure to moderate noise levels. Physical: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; light lifting and carrying; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONSThe City of Snohomish is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.