Field Economic Development Specialist

Mecklenburg County Government; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 73.000 - 110.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Mecklenburg County Government is seeking a Field Economic Development Specialist to perform business site visits, implement a displacement mitigation program with pop-up markets, and market at-risk businesses across the county.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in economic development or related field, 2–4 years in community planning or business retention, and familiarity with Salesforce or GIS; this is a hybrid role in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field is required.
• 2–4 years of work in community planning, real estate, or business retention; experience with Salesforce or a CRM system preferred.

Aufgaben

• Conduct door-to-door business site visits across Mecklenburg County to support small businesses.
• Implement displacement mitigation programs including Pop-Up Markets, Hotline, and wayfinding signage.
• Coordinate workshops, events, and outreach to engage business communities and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with nonprofit, government, and partner organizations.

Kenntnisse

Project management

Customer service

Data analysis

Research

Communication

Confidentiality

Multilingual

Ausbildung

Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development / Public Administration / Business Administration

Tools

Salesforce

ARC GIS

Microsoft Office

Jobbeschreibung

Field Economic Development Specialist

Salary Range: $73,364.25 -$110,046.37

This is an exempt (salaried) position.Please note: pay rates are based on education,skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerationsinclude an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications incomparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

AtMecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as youare with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best versionof you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help MecklenburgCounty become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptionalexperience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Economic Development Specialist, under the supervision of the Director of Economic Development, will participate in the following activities: door to door business site visits across Mecklenburg County, implement displacement mitigation program to include pop-up markets reducing business displacement in key areas, along with implementing strategies to market at-risk businesses.

The Specialist will perform stakeholder engagement, small business support, interdepartmental collaboration, research, and event planning.

Mecklenburg County is seeking a highly responsible and responsible, self-motivated, and organized person to join the Office of Economic Development. Development.We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who wants to assist in making Mecklenburg County a place where small businesses are supported and thrive.

General knowledge of business principles and management strategies; development of programming and marketing initiatives for small business outreach; experience in fostering partnerships and engagement with ecosystem partners and provide support for entrepreneurs and established businesses; and fundamentals of economic development are required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position supports businesses and entrepreneurs impactedby transportation development and infrastructure construction by providingcomprehensive guidance and programing throughout Mecklenburg County. Theprogram manager will provide innovative solutions towards the displacementmitigation program including Pop-Up Markets & Hotline, TemporaryWayfinding Signage, Transit Business Marketing Campaign, and Temporary PublicArt.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilize research and innovative solutions to create and implement a Displacement Mitigation Program.
• Develop Project timelines for affected businesses areas due to construction impacts.
• Conduct regular in-person visits to businesses affected by construction zones to assess needs, share updates, and provide one-on-one technical assistance.
• Use case study research and critical thinking to create solutions to major negative repercussions of substantial transit development on small businesses across the county.
• Utilize GIS to visualize and maintain a current database of businesses within project impact areas, tracking engagement history, needs, and outcomes.
• Proactively document and photograph site conditions, signage gaps, and access issues within project areas and communicate findings.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute pop-up markets and activation events along in key locations to drive foot traffic and revenue to affected businesses during construction.
• Develop and maintain an emergency communication protocol to rapidly notify businesses of unexpected construction changes, road closures, or access disruptions.
• Leverage existing small business programs to support displacement efforts offered by the Office of Economic Development’s Small Business teams.
• Supports clients in achieving business stability and growth by providing practical, result-oriented marketing strategies and delivering technical assistance to enhance management practices and operational efficiency.
• Develop and coordinate workshops, programs, events, and ad-hoc initiatives on topics such as business continuity planning, digital marketing, and accessing resources.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and philanthropic partners that support entrepreneurs and small businesses. Build connections with small business groups, maintaining accurate records of engagement activities.
• Manage assigned client cases and maintains up-to-date records using a customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with the business community and key stakeholders through public presentations, information sessions, conferences, and workshop facilitation. Assist in maintaining a database for all key stakeholders.
• Maintain knowledge of economic development and transit policies, best practices, and industry trends; participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance performance.
• Participate in regular staff and project meetings; maintain organized paper and electronic records; complete required forms and documentation in a timely manner.
• Utilize standard office equipment, including computers; may operate a County or personal vehicle to attend off-site meetings and visit client locations.
• Develop and distribute outreach materials, flyers, and newsletters to ensure all businesses receive timely project information.
• Coordinate the design, placement, and maintenance of wayfinding and business signage to ensure customers can easily locate businesses during and after construction.
• Serve as a contact for business complaints and concerns related to construction impacts, triaging issues and escalating as needed.
• Collaborate with contractors and project teams to advocate for business-friendly construction scheduling, access maintenance, and noise/dust mitigation.
• Track and report on program metrics including businesses contacted, events held, signage installed, and referrals made to ensure accountability and measure impact.
• Assist businesses in navigating permitting, licensing, or zoning questions that arise because of infrastructure changes or new development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in response to evolving program needs and a dynamic work environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ideal candidates have strong skills in project management, customer service, data analysis, financial interpretation, research, and a spirit of creativity. We’re looking for an enthusiastic self-starter who can provide exceptional customer service and is detailed oriented in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative information for assisting entrepreneurs.

• Knowledge of the laws governing business activity.
• Knowledge of business and transportation practices and trends.
• Knowledge of economic, business planning, events planning, and transit development practices
• Demonstrated computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet research.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with fellow employees, outside agency personnel, and the public.
• Basic proficiency in ARC GIS programs.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to focus on the needs ofthe customer, and on developing strong relationships with our customers.
• ValuesDifferences:Recognizing the value that different perspectives andcultures bring to an organization
• Comfortable in a hybrid officefield work-based role
• Previous experience with pop-upmarkets.
• Previous experience withSalesforce.
• Knowledge of basic constructionprocesses.
• Multilingual applicants preferred.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 2 to 4 years of work in community planning, real estate, or business retention.
• Previous experience with Salesforce or a CRM system.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform,with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential functionsatisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualifiedindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-relatedresponsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Otherduties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request.Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at anytime. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/ordisaster situations.