Economic Development Specialist

The City of Takoma Park seeksan Economic Development Specialist to assist in the implementation of its Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan and the development and implementation of business retention and expansion initiatives. This is permanent position, working approximately 40 hours per. This position is subject to membership in the AFSCME union.

The hiring salary range is $62,907.34 to 74,101.64 and is commensurate upon experience.

Duties and Essential Functions

• Development and implementation of city-wide business retention and expansion programs
• Development and implementation of survey tools; analysis and presentation of results
• Coordination of site visits; conducting one-on-one interviews with business and commercial property owners; documentation of interview results
• Works with City Staff to apply for, manage, and award grant related to Economic Development
• Coordinates with local business associations to provide support to new and existing City businesses
• Data collection; data analysis; development and maintenance of data bases
• Report preparation including maps, illustrations, charts and tables
• Development, writing, design, production and distribution of informational materials
• Assist in the implementation of the economic development recommendations of the Strategic Plan
• Other tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in in Planning, Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, Research, Analytics, or other relevant field

• Knowledge of economic development principles, practices, and techniques
• Knowledge of research and analysis methods and techniques
• Strong writing, digital communication, and interpersonal skills

• Experience with GIS mapping and Microsoft Office. Adobe CS a plus.
• Foreign language skills are a plus but not required (especially Spanish, French, Amharic)

Please include the following with your submission. Upload under "Documents." Submissions that do not include these documents will not be considered. Additional documents (design portfolio, map products, etc.) may also be submitted.

• Resume
• Writing sample (may include excerpts written in different styles)

The City of Takoma Park is a small jurisdiction in Montgomery County, Maryland bordering the District of Columbia and Prince George's County. Inhabited by a diverse and politically active population of 17,000 residents, Takoma Park is known for its progressive policies, historic tree-lined neighborhoods, and independent businesses. We are proud to be a workforce of almost 200 full-time and part-time employees that are as diverse as the community we serve. We strive to maintain excellent customer service and responsiveness to our residents and everyone we work with. It is with this in mind that we seek to improve by championing quality and efficiency through a dedicated workforce and cooperative spirit.

The City of Takoma Park is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the residents we serve and the area in which we live. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where employees of diverse backgrounds can thrive and make a positive impact in the services we provide.