Economic Development Specialist

Region 9 Economic Development Dist. of SW Colorado; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental

Retirement

Job summary

Region 9 Economic Development Dist. of SW Colorado is seeking a full-time Economic Development Specialist to oversee regional planning initiatives, coordinate projects, and provide technical assistance across multiple agencies.

The role focuses on coordinating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, data reporting, and engagement with governments and community partners. Occasional evening meetings and travel within the Region 9 area are required.

Qualifications

• A degree in economic development, public administration, business, planning, communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Strong oral and written, and diplomatic customer service communication skills.
• Robust presentation skills and meeting facilitation experience.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy and ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
• General knowledge of economic, political, social, geographic, and cultural factors which impact the region's community and economic development interests.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Region 9 service area and occasionally work evening hours for community, board, and stakeholder meetings.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development, education, distribution, budget, and promotion of the variety of Region 9 reports, publications and data subscriptions. This requires project coordination and communication skills.
• Work closely with economic development peers, government partners and other organizations in the economic development ecosystem.
• Be knowledgeable about the diverse programs, initiatives, and incentives that can benefit the region’s businesses and organizations. This requires research and responsive communication skills.
• Oversee the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document, contractors, data collection, distribution, content and related EDA Planning Grant funds. This requires organizational and strategic thinking abilities as well as project coordination skills.
• Compile required data for grant and agency reports, as well as track Region 9 activities for monthly reporting. Requires attention to detail.
• Provide technical assistance (as follows) which requires excellent problem-solving and responsive communication: a) Forward movement of Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) projects. b) Respond promptly to written and verbal requests for information. c) Be a connector between program providers and community members and organizations seeking resources.
• Make presentations regarding Region 9 services, data reports or programs as needed. This requires public speaking and presentation skills.
• Represent the District in all community, professional and public meetings as requested in a respectful, professional manner. This requires communication and diplomacy skills.
• Assist with content and producing accurate annual County Performance Reports, Corporate Annual Report, Work Plan, and agency newsletters and other documents as requested.
• Work closely with staff and project consultants on special projects (such as the Southwest Opioid Response District [SWORD]) as requested. This requires teamwork and adaptability.
• Provide office coverage to Region 9 as needed.
• Help market Region 9 activities by providing photos, information and other materials to promote programs and secure broad media coverage where possible.
• Maintain electronic and paper filing systems for relevant records per Region 9 filing system. This requires attention to detail and organizational efficiency.
• Attend Board of Directors and other committee meetings as necessary.
• Attend training and serve on community boards as relevant and as time allows.

Skills

Degree in economic development

Oral and written communication

Presentation skills

Attention to detail

Regional knowledge

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's or higher in economic development, public administration, business, planning, communications, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Adobe

Slack

Survey Monkey

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Economic Development Specialist

Reports To: Executive Director

Wage: $30-32/hr

Benefits: Healthcare, Dental, & Retirement

Job Closing Date: September 30th, 2026 @5pm MDT

JOB SUMMARY

The full-time Economic Development Specialist (EDS) works closely with Region 9 Economic Development District (Region 9 EDD or District) staff, economic development partners, governments, elected officials, and community partners to oversee economic development planning initiatives and special projects. This role ensures the effective coordination, communication, professional content and timely completion of projects including the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).The EDS is also responsible for ongoing outreach with various stakeholders, serving as a key connector, attentive listener, educator, and provider of technical assistance throughout the region.

SKILL/KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS -The successful candidate will have:

• A degree in economic development, public administration, business, planning, communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Strong oral and written, and diplomatic customer service communication skills.
• Robust presentation skills and meeting facilitation experience.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy and ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
• General knowledge of economic, political, social, geographic, and cultural factors which impact the region's community and economic development interests.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Region 9 service area and occasionally work evening hours for community, board, and stakeholder meetings.

Ability to:

• Develop a working knowledge of the software utilized by the District that includes, but not limited to, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe, SLACK, Survey Monkey, Power Point, Excel, and public and data management platforms as needed.
• Work independently and successfully as part of a team as needed in an effective manner.
• demonstrate work progress, outcomes, and impact to your Region 9 team, supervisor, and various stakeholders.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with Region 9 EDD’s member governments, business colleagues, community organizations, board, and consultants.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Community and Economic Development

1.Manage the development, education, distribution, budget, and promotion of the variety of Region 9 reports, publications and data subscriptions. This requires project coordination and communication skills.

2.Work closely with economic development peers, government partners and other organizations in the economic development ecosystem.

3.Be knowledgeable about the diverse programs, initiatives, and incentives that can benefit the region’s businesses and organizations. This requires research and responsive communication skills.

4.Oversee the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document, contractors, data collection, distribution, content and related EDA Planning Grant funds. This requires organizational and strategic thinking abilities as well as project coordination skills.

5.Compile required data for grant and agency reports, as well as track Region 9 activities for monthly reporting. Requires attention to detail.

6.Provide technical assistance (as follows) which requires excellent problem-solving and responsive communication.

a.Forward movement of Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) projects.

b.Respond promptly to written and verbal requests for information.

c.Be a connector between program providers and community members and organizations seeking resources.

1.Make presentations regarding Region 9 services, data reports or programs as needed. This requires public speaking and presentation skills.

2.Represent the District in all community, professional and public meetings as requested in a respectful, professional manner. This requires communication and diplomacy skills.

3.Assist with content and producing accurate annual County Performance Reports, Corporate Annual Report, Work Plan, and agency newsletters and other documents as requested.

Project Organization and Administration (daily, as needed)

1.Work closely with any staff and project consultants on special projects (such as the Southwest Opioid Response District [SWORD]) as requested. This requires teamwork and adaptability.

2.Provide office coverage to Region 9 as needed.

3.Help market Region 9 activities by providing photos, information and other materials to promote programs and secure broad media coverage where possible.

4.Maintain electronic and paper filing systems for relevant records per Region 9 filing system. This requires attention to detail and organizational efficiency.

5.Attend Board of Directors and other committee meetings as necessary.

6.Attend training and serve on community boards as relevant and as time allows.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Accuracy: Prepare accurate / error-free written communications and related programmatic documentation before external distribution and/or for final records/files.
• Appearance: Maintain professional appearance and personal hygiene appropriate for the job.
• Communication: Express thoughts clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Cooperation: Willing and able to modify work styles to successfully team with and complete assignments with others internal and external to organization.
• Flexibility: Ability to adapt to and meet evolving position needs and new task assignments.
• Loyalty: Maintain professional allegiance and represent employer and internal and external colleagues in positive, constructive ways.
• Organization: Effective time management, and efficient use of workspace and materials.
• Policy Adherence: Understand and follow organizational and departmental policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, safety requirements and safe work habits.
• Reliability: Dependably complete regular and extraordinary work tasks within work scope, schedule, and budget at in-person work or approved telework locations, during designated work hours.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS.

The EDS tasks are generally performed in an office environment requiring extensive periods of completing computer-based tasks and working in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, and shared office space, frequently requiring the ability to stand, walk, sit, talk, listen, and read with a normal range of vision and hearing.All staff are required to take classes related to accessibility awareness, writing, and making documents and presentations.