Description

The Town of Fountain Hills has an excellent full-time opportunity available as the Economic Development Specialist. This position reports to the Economic Development Director.

Position will be open until filled with applications reviewed weekly.

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform implementation, planning, marketing and research work to implement the Town’s economic development program and policy of broadening its retail, commercial and visitor base. Implementation includes attracting new businesses, aiding existing businesses in expansion, creation of marketing materials and the management of special projects. This employee also creates and maintains information resources and databases and prepares reports and analyses.

Examples of Duties

• Performs economic development and support work to implement the Town’s ongoing policy of broadening its retail, commercial, and industrial base.
• Develops and maintains statistical, economic, population, visitor, demographic, related information resources, and databases.
• Develops and maintains computer applications to track development and visitor data such as population, construction, vacancy rates, hotel occupancy, and other economic information, demographic data, and trends. May perform site analysis for proposed development projects including taxes, fees, as well as economic and relevant multiplier factors.
• In coordination with the Economic Development Director, responds to general information, and project-specific requests. Develops brochures, guides, pamphlets, profiles, market intelligence, and website materials.  Works with staff to update, enhance and ensure the Town’s website, and other electronic and print media reflects pertinent economic development and tourism related information, events, and projects.
• Coordinates the tourism grant function for the department including applying for grants and adhering to reporting requirements.
• Assists in marketing the Town by working with consultants to develop advertisements and/or campaigns and with publications that are strategically aligned with Economic Development and tourism strategies in order to secure additional business and tourism activity. Collaborates with the Community Relations Manager/Public Information Officer to assist and create content for social media, the Town’s website and Experience Fountain Hills website.
• Coordinates the delivery of special projects, with particular focus on meeting deadlines and creating content.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Economic Development, Regional Development, Economics, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Marketing, Geography, or related field is required.  Knowledge of research and statistical methods and techniques; economic development principles and practices; the principles and techniques of sales, marketing and promotion; current economic development, demographic, and market trends in the regional area; and personal computer software applications.**

• A minimum of two years of management support experience, conducting research related to economic development is preferred.  Experience in both the public sector preferred.

• The IEDC Basic Economic Development course will be required to be completed within first year of hire.  Valid driver’s license for a minimum of two years with a good driving record required. The Town currently designates this job as a “safety-sensitive position.”  Accordingly, the Town requires satisfactory completion of a drug and alcohol screening as a condition of employment.

• **Equivalent combinations of experience and training that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

• Work requires the ability to read, comprehend, and make inferences from research data in order to prepare statistical comparisons and trend analyses to be used in marketing and other promotional materials.

• Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, college algebra, and statistical analysis.

• Work requires the ability to write clearly and accurately in both print and electronic media in order to communicate with the general public, executive management, Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, and business executives.  Develops, updates, designs, and edits a variety of electronic and printed materials including the Economic Development web page, community profiles, and other promotional and marketing materials.  Position also drafts written documents such as brochures, advertisements, press releases, and prospect proposals for distribution to a variety of targeted audiences in order to promote and market Fountain Hills as a business location.

• Work is widely varied, involving analyzing and evaluating many complex and significant variables. Work requires initiative and independent judgment, and the employee is expected to exercise discretion in planning and executing assignments.  Organization-wide policies, procedures, or precedents may be recommended to management.

• Incumbents in this position contact others within the organization and also communicate with the general public, professional service providers, economic development agency representatives, and the media in order to gather and provide information.  Conducts off-site research and attends a variety of meetings including local economic development meetings and trade shows as required.

How to Apply / Contact

Apply for the Economic Development Specialist position