Economic Development Coordinator

Are you a team player that has a passion for economic vitality? Do you thrive when coordinating with small businesses and community-based organizations to create innovative solutions? Join the City of Issaquah Economic Development team to build upon our vibrant business and residential community.

The Economic Development Coordinator reports to Economic and Housing Development Manager.  This position will lead and support multiple lines of business, with a focus on business retention, small business assistance, workforce development, and tourism. An ideal candidate will utilize a DEI framework and have experience and skills of working with small businesses and community-based organizations; creating and managing small to medium sized projects; research, analysis, and data gathering; contract management; and implementation of key initiatives to support economic vitality.

BENEFITS 
 In addition to a competitive salary and excellent remote/hybrid work options, the City offers the following:

• Excellent low- and high-deductible medical plan options, free for you and low cost to add your whole family. 
• Employer HSA contributions (with high-deductible medical plan): $3350 individual/$6650 family. 
• 100% employer paid dental and vision. 
• Generous vacation and sick time, plus 40 hours of management leave yearly and 14 paid holidays. 
• Participation in the Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS) with employer contribution. 
• $200/month match into a 457b deferred compensation account. 
• And more! 

EQUITY STATEMENT   

The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state and local laws. We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to the success of our City operations.

• Serves as a City liaison to the Issaquah business community by building and maintaining effective relationships with the business community, advisory groups, other governmental agencies, community groups and residents; facilitates communications.
• Serves as a liaison in recruiting and assisting businesses interested in locating in Issaquah. Helps to identify suitable properties for business enterprises.
• Researches business issues and complaints; recommends solutions.
• Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of small-to mid-size projects regarding small business support, business attraction and retention, workforce development, tourism, and other economic development initiatives. Work with internal and external stakeholders and/or consultants.
• Participates in and helps develop special business community initiatives to promote business development and vitality in coordination with business community groups
• Presents proposed programs and projects to business community groups, agencies and the City Council.
• Researches funding sources, writes proposals, determines needs, and assists in managing grant awards.
• Works with the Economic and Housing Development Manager to design and implement the City's economic development strategy.
• Perform research and analysis in a variety of areas; tracks critical performance metrics to evaluate the impact of local economic development efforts such as new business licenses, tax revenues, vacancy rates, etc.; create informational or promotional materials; write reports including integrated data analysis and visualization;
• Reviews local, State, and federal legislation to determine impact of new laws on City businesses and the City's economic development priorities.
• Coordinates activities with appropriate City departments.
• May serve as liaison to a board or commission.
• Attendance at night and weekend meetings required.

Education and Training

• A bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college with a major in marketing, public or business administration or planning or a closely-related field; and
• Three years of related experience; or
• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional travel to other facilities.

TELEWORK CONSIDERATIONS 

The incumbent in this position will be expected to complete a telework agreement and work in a hybrid capacity (partial telework, partial in office). The incumbent must be available to attend in person meetings as needed to fulfill the duties of this position.  

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Economic development principles, practices, and implementation including community and business development, redevelopment, international trade, and local government financial incentives for business and marketing.
• Federal, State and local laws, rules, and regulations applicable to businesses, industries and real estate development.
• General business climate.
• Marketing and economic principles and practices.
• Current market trends in real estate development.
• Economic analysis techniques related to market, feasibility and impact studies.
• Methods and techniques for business and community involvement.
• Effective methods for organizing and utilizing data.
• Research methods.

Skill in:

• Using computers and software to collect, process and analyze data.
• Communication, written and verbal.  

Ability to:

• Implement or assist in implementing economic development strategies.
• Interpret legal documents, laws, and regulations.
• Cultivate and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, advisory boards, the business community, department directors, employees the media and the general-public.
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and build trust with business clients and community associations.
• Assemble and analyze statistical, economic, and marketing information and make practical recommendations.
• Analyze complex issues and impacts and provide clear and concise recommendations and alternative solutions.
• Compile and prepare reports, requests for proposal, pro forma financial analysis and other documents.
• Manage grant applications and processes.
• Develop and meet schedules, timelines, work programs and cost estimates.
• Manage projects under limited supervision.
• Read, interpret apply and explain rules, regulations, codes, policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and judgment in dealing with sensitive or confidential information.
• Maintain customer resource management (CRM) databases and use data to inform work.

Salary : $91,183 - $119,990