Economic Development Assistant

City of New Westminster; Canada; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government in Canada is seeking a full-time Economic Development Assistant to support business licensing and economic development. The role involves acting as a front desk contact, processing business licence applications, conducting research, and providing administrative support. The ideal candidate will have a post-secondary education in business administration or a relevant field and possess strong communication, organizational, and research skills. This role is vital to enhancing local business opportunities and supporting community growth.

Qualifications

• Completion of a post‑secondary program in business administration, planning, or other relevant field.
• Considerable knowledge of modern business office practices and procedures.
• Sound knowledge of applicable bylaws, policies, rules, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Act as front desk point of contact for Business Licensing and Economic Development inquiries.
• Lead the processing of business licence applications and renewals.
• Provide research and support for economic development projects.

Skills

Research and project support

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Post-secondary program in business administration or relevant field

Tools

Standard software applications

Job description

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 85,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.

The City has an exciting opportunity for a regular full‑time Economic Development Assistant. We believe we have the responsibility to create the conditions that give people business opportunities and sustainable employment, and an environment that supports growth and innovation. If you are hired, you will be joining a small team who care deeply about the community they serve, thrive on variety, and enjoy the challenge that comes with emergent work.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Act as front desk point of contact for Business Licensing and Economic Development for inquiries, and provide information and interpretation to external contacts regarding departmental procedures, policies and regulations. Prepare correspondence regarding enquiries including those concerning bylaws, departmental rules, and regulations.
• Lead the processing of business licence applications and renewals, including review of applications for completeness and preliminary compliance; circulating to staff as appropriate; maintain and ensure accuracy of data in associated systems and databases; verify fees for processing, and issue approved business licenses. Identify system processing issues or areas for improvement.
• Provide research and support for economic development projects and initiatives. This can include completing basic research, municipal scans, industry trends; generating and summarizing relevant data; and, creating and formatting associated economic development documents, reports, and presentations.
• Provide a variety of administrative support for departmental programs and activities. This may include organizing meetings, site visits, and events; assists in developing and posting content to the City’s website to promote business initiatives, events and opportunities.
• Perform other duties related to the position as assigned.

If you have many of these attributes, we would like to hear from you:

• Completion of a post‑secondary program in business administration, planning or other relevant field, plus sound related work experience in research or project support; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Considerable knowledge of modern business office practices and procedures, including standard software applications and record‑keeping procedures, and of business English, grammar and arithmetic.
• Sound knowledge of the applicable bylaws, policies, rules and regulations governing the work performed.
• Some knowledge of business trends and practices, with an awareness and interest in the local economy.
• Some knowledge of basic research techniques, and of methods used in statistical analysis; and the ability to identify relevant sources of information.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with applicable bylaws, departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to gather, assemble, extract, organize, interpret, and summarize data and narrative information from a variety of sources.
• Ability to prepare narrative and statistical reports, graphs and charts from information gathered.
• Ability to maintain complex records and provide a variety of administrative support as required.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external contacts, including colleagues, the business community, general public, and other contacts; and to effectively interpret and explain applicable bylaws, policies, and procedures.
• Superior skill and aptitude in communications, organization and time management.
• Strong organizational skills, proven ability to problem‑solve, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results.
• Ability to pass and maintain a satisfactory Police Information Check.