Economic Development Specialist

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees, including:

• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year, 2 of which are floating holidays*
• Vacation leave: 10 days/year with ability to accrue 25 days/year
• Sick leave: 12 days/year*
• Cafeteria plan: 6% of employee’s salary will be contributed towards employee to use towards 401(k), dependent care, medical co-insurance, or cash
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree medical insurance
• Deferred compensation
• Education allowance: up to $1,200 per year
• Bilingual incentive: incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification of proficiency.

*Amounts will be prorated for part-time employees and employees hired after the first of the year.

The information above represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire about the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. For a detailed listing of benefits, please click here to view General benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform a variety of analytical and technical duties in support of the County's economic development policy; to provide information and assistance to developers and the public; and to provide assistance to the Director of Economic Development.

Receives immediate supervision and direction from the Director of Economic Development and may receive technical and functional supervision from the Senior Economic Development Specialist.

• Collect, compile, and analyze data regarding economic conditions, film program, and other economic development projects and programs; prepare informational and promotional reports, illustrative charts, tables and graphs, and press releases.
• Research, establish, and maintain various files and databases regarding economic development, organize and analyze market conditions, program information, and other economic development programs; propose development implementation plans.
• Develop grant applications and reports; compute, collect, monitor, and track grant data on an ongoing basis; provide statistics as appropriate.
• Administer, monitor, and evaluate contracts; participate in negotiating contracts with outside vendors, consultants, or organizations; monitor fiscal and legal liabilities of the same; assist with contract management and administration.
• Respond to inquiries from County staff, developers, prospective businesses, and the general public; determine focus/needs of inquiries and respond as specifically as possible; make referrals and/or introductions as appropriate.
• Act as liaison with businesses and public/private agencies; assist in arranging meetings, conferences, site visits, and public information programs; make presentations as directed. 
• Participate in tradeshows throughout the state representing the Office of Economic Development.
• Develop and update marketing materials for all Economic Development programs, including maintenance of website, social media platforms, and other outreach methods.
• Work with local county and city officials for retention and expansion of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses.
• Prepare a variety of comprehensive studies, proposals, and reports related to program activities and assigned projects.
• Prepare appropriate agenda reports, informational materials, and other written materials regarding the County’s Economic Development program and related activities.
• Coordinate film program permitting within Placer County, including the requirement to secure certificates of insurance on behalf of Placer County regarding necessary coverage as it relates to film permits.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One year of responsible professional economic development experience or one year of experience compiling and analyzing data and/or program information.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business or public administration, economics, government, political or social science, finance, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of economics and economic development, including relationship with real estate, land development, and financing.
• Basic principles of land development process and commercial building codes.
• Intra-governmental structure and dynamics, including the roles of local, regional, state, and federal jurisdictions in the development process.
• Research methodology, including statistical evaluation and presentation and the use of surveys and questionnaires.
• Preparation and presentation of reports and other informational and promotional materials.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Inter-agency relationships, including recognition of overlapping and/or complementary requirements.
• Community-based organizations interested in the promotion of industry, business, and private-public partnerships.
• Computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics, and database applications.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• Understand and interpret the County's economic development policy as directed by the Board of Supervisors and carried out by the Director of Economic Development.
• Prepare informational and promotional reports and materials, including press releases.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures; recall and utilize a variety of information; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; and focus on a single task for long periods of time.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; occasionally walk and stand for long periods of time; intermittently twist, stoop, kneel, squat, and reach to access equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, write, or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient visual acuity to perform essential job functions;  and lift light weight.
• Analyze grants, reports, and various proposals.
• Compile, analyze, and present statistical data in a meaningful way.
• Perform mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
• Establish and maintain a wide network of public and private resource contacts.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interviews; work with interruption; work firmly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine proper course of action.
• Use modern office equipment and computers. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Occasionally work overtime, as needed. 

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.