Economic Development Specialist

Cameron County; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance Protection

Sick and Annual Leave

Retirement System

Paid Holidays

Direct Deposit Payroll

Job summary

Cameron County in Brownsville, TX seeks an Economic Development Specialist to support the Economic Development Director by administering programs, maintaining records, and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies. The role focuses on data verification, KPI tracking, and documentation aligned with county policies and contracts.

Responsibilities include assisting with BRE, venue taxes, marketing, industry attraction, business engagement, events, site visits, and research.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; supplemented by four (4) years of experience performing secretarial and/or administrative support work.
• Familiarity with Economic Development Programs and county contracts; able to work with Local, State and Federal agencies.

Responsibilities

• Assist in carrying out work programs including BRE, venue and motor vehicle rental tax, marketing, and industry attraction.
• Answer calls, process documents, maintain records, and prepare department documents per policies.
• Prepare purchase orders, review invoices, and organize department events and site visits.
• Track KPI data such as sales tax, workforce, permits, international trade, and tourism impact.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Microsoft Suite

Teamwork

Initiative

Time management

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

PAY PLAN: 114 - $43,617.00 minimum salary (Effective October 1, 2026)

Distinguishing Features of the Position (Summary)

Under the direct supervision of the Economic Development Director this position performs administrative support, assists with the development and carrying out of county's economic development work programs and performs all related duties as required. Positions in this class perform routine verification and analysis of data; identify needed corrective actions to resolve discrepancies; answer questions; engage with Local, State, and Federal representatives and agencies: and maintain documents and records. Familiar with Economic Development Programs in addition to county contracts. Familiar with Local, State and Federal laws related to Economic Development.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Assists in carrying out work programs including, but not limited to, Business Retention/Expansion (BRE), Venue and Motor Vehicle Rental Tax, marketing, targeted industry business attraction, business engagement, and international business.

Answers calls, responds to emails, receives and processes documents, mail and/or materials; reviews documents for completeness and accuracy; compiles and maintains records and files; prepares various department documents requiring knowledge of department policies, programs, and procedures; performs record retention tasks as dictated by County policy.

Maintains assigned inventory; prepares purchase orders for needed materials, equipment, and supplies; receives and distributes incoming shipments; reviews and forwards invoices for payment.

Schedules, organizes and attends department events, site visits, partner- and industry-meetings, workshops and conferences; sends out invites and makes follow-up calls; performs special projects or conducts research and analysis as assigned.

Tracks local Key Performance Indicators (KPI) including, but not limited to, data on sales tax, workforce, building permits, international trade, and tourism impact.

Provides assistance and information to employees, managers, vendors, citizens, local businesses, and other stakeholders regarding economic development; serves as liaison between supervisors, vendors, and other departments in regard to department policies and activities; explains policies and procedures.

Additional Functions

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficient in Microsoft Suite. Ability to work effectively in a team-driven, multitasking setting. Shows initiative, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and deadline conscious. Sound time management and organizational skills.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED; supplemented by four (4) years of experience performing secretarial and/or administrative support work; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job..

ADA Compliance

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Exposure to damp/wet surfaces, duty conditions, fumes and odors, flammable liquids and high noise levels.

This position is subject to a six (6) month probationary period prior to Civil Service eligibility. Must submit to a Civil Service Clerical Exam.

BENEFITS

• Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System and Paid Holidays.
• Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER