Introduction
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism (WDT) promotes and elevates the state’s brand to drive economic impact for all Wisconsinites. We are the proud home of Travel Wisconsin, the official destination marketing organization for the State of Wisconsin that works to market the state as a premier travel destination while generating greater economic impact for Wisconsin through tourism.
We inspire travelers to experience Wisconsin and making lasting memories in our beautiful state. Wisconsin’s natural beauty, incredible culinary scene, spirited events, cultural offerings, and vibrant tourism businesses make this state a wonderful place to visit, live and work. Our team at Travel Wisconsin showcases this every day, marketing the state as a premier travel destination to consumers while driving economic impact to Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 11 federally recognized tribes.
Our team is passionate about our mission to inspire travelers to experience Wisconsin. We believe in the power of tourism marketing. We approach our fast-paced work with a commitment to constant improvement and learning, grounded in our values of collaboration, excellence, balance, authenticity, and fun.
Position Summary
Under the general direction of the Industry Relations Director, the Tourism Development Specialist (TDS) provides expertise in tourism marketing to engage tourism industry partners (Destination Marketing Organizations, Tourism Associations, tourism and hospitality business, etc.) across the state in shared goals and vision that drives economic impact through effective tourism promotion.
The TDS provides marketing expertise to support the strategic marketing plans of industry partners. The TDS offers education in consumer marketing and communications and utilizes data analysis and tools to inform efforts. The TDS promotes the adoption of the Travel Wisconsin brand and statewide marketing plan, providing marketing guidance in line with individual industry partner budgets and needs. The TDS deepens tourism industry partners’ involvement in Travel Wisconsin industry resources including Wisconsin Department of Tourism grants, co-op marketing and public relations program, economic impact and travel research, destination assessments, Travel Wisconsin’s marketing platforms and tools, webinars and industry communications.
The TDS informs the development of industry-marketing tools offered by the Department. As part of the Industry Relations team within the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the TDS shares their knowledge and expertise of Wisconsin tourism offerings by participating in ongoing internal activities to inform Travel Wisconsin’s marketing and public relations content and other Bureaus within the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, including the Secretary’s Office, Office of Outdoor Recreation and Office of Group Travel.
This position has the option of working out of their home office setting or working in the headquarters office in Madison. The position requires approximately 40% travel, including evenings and weekends mostly in the Northwest counties of Wisconsin. This schedule may change based on training or operational needs. Employees are required to come into the office for in person collaboration meetings on a monthly basis, which includes all staff meetings, quarterly staff retreats and team building activities, and for other business that may arise. Employees will be required to report to the Madison office on their first day of employment. The Industry Relations team is required to attend a minimum of two in-state tourism conferences annually.
Wisconsin Department of Tourism anticipates the start date for this position will be no later than July 29, 2024.
For more information, please view the complete position description.
Salary Information
This position (Classification: Economic Development Consultant) is in schedule-range 81-03 with a starting hourly rate between $32.00 - $37.75 per hour, plus excellent benefits. Salary will be determined by applicant qualifications. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan. A 12- month probationary period is required. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Our Competitive Benefits Package Features

• State Employee & Retiree Health Plan including health, dental and wellness benefits, and supplemental Vision Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Long-Term Care Insurance and Pre-Tax Savings Accounts (for health, dental, vision, day care and commuter expenses).
• WRS Retirement Benefit pension plan that is intended to provide you with a lifetime retirement payment. It offers an employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, 9 paid holidays and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
• Accumulated Sick Leave which allows retirees to convert unused sick leave into credits to help pay for health insurance premiums.
• Disability Benefits to cover the possibility of becoming disabled while working for a WRS employer making you eligible to receive disability benefits that will give you income for the time you are unable to return to work.
• An Income Continuation Insurance that replaces a portion of your income if you are unable to work because of sickness or injury (both short and long term).
• Group Life Insurance providing life insurance coverage up to five times your annual earnings and covers death and dismemberment.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program with tools and resources to help set health and well-being goals, track progress, stay motivated, and earn incentives.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.

In addition to our generous employee benefits, we strive for inclusivity and celebrate different religious holidays and cultural observances and provide flexibility for utilizing paid time off for such celebrations.
Job Details
Due to the nature of the position, Tourism will conduct background checks on applicants prior to selection. Tourism does not sponsor work visas. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility form.
QualificationsQualified applicants will have all of the following:

• Experience promoting and engaging partners and stakeholders in economic development and/or marketing programs or resources.
• Experience making presentations (ideally about tourism, marketing and/or economic development)
• Experience in project management, program development and evaluation
• Proven experience in relationship management and customer service
• Experience in community/economic development or b2b sales account management (such as in hospitality, outdoor recreation related businesses, merchandise/products and services, etc.)

In addition, well-qualified applicants will have one or more of the following:

• Experience leveraging expertise in tourism offerings/assets to inform marketing and public relations.
• Experience mentoring and advising organizations, associations, and/or businesses.
• Experience with destination marketing and tourism.
• Experience working with destination marketing organizations, tourism and hospitality businesses, outdoor recreations businesses, chambers of commerce, and/or communities in northern Wisconsin.
• Experience applying marketing principles and adopting marketing tactics aligned with brand and marketing strategies, such as using emerging technologies and tools and content marketing strategies.
• Experience analyzing and deploying data and research to inform brand and marketing strategies.

How To Apply
Apply online! To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.
Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. Please review instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications.
Your cover letter is limited to a maximum of two (2) typed pages, single-spaced, no smaller than 10-point font, with 1-inch margins. Resumes should be limited to no more than two (2) pages (no format requirements). Pages more than the specified limits may not be evaluated. References are not necessary at this stage of the process.
Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process for available vacancies.
Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer or voluntary demotion) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.
The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
If you are a veteran with a 30% or greater service-related disability and are not currently employed in a permanent position with Wisconsin State Government, please send a cover letter, resume, DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12 months) to the contact listed below.
Questions can be directed to Pilar Blomquist at Pilare.blomquist@wisconsin.gov or 715-831-3220.
Deadline to Apply
The first application review deadline is 11:59pm on Sunday, June 30,2024. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis until the position is filled.