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Economic Development Specialist

Posting Begin Date: 2025/07/23

Posting End Date: 2025/07/30

Category: Economic Development

Sub Category: Business

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 26.00

Maximum Salary: 28.00

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

State of Idaho Department of Commerce

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

About the Agency:As the lead economic development and marketing agency for the State of Idaho, the mission of the Idaho Department of Commerce is to foster a business-friendly environment to aid in quality job creation, support existing companies, strengthen communities, promote innovation, and market Idaho domestically and internationally.

The vision of the Idaho Department of Commerce is to support the growth of the state’s economy with a thriving business environment. Our standard is to “Move at the Speed of Business” to accelerate the growth of the state’s economy and ensure we are proactively anticipating the needs of businesses.

Summary:The Idaho Department of Commerce is seeking an Economic Development Specialist to join our team located in our downtown Boise office. The incumbent will ensure that Idaho’s existing companies are aware of tools available to encourage job creation and capital investment in our state. Additionally, they will coordinate international and domestic trade programs while developing strong and long-term relationships within Idaho’s diverse industry and business sectors. This role requires the incumbent to be able to forge and maintain relationships to further develop meaningful business, trade, and economic opportunities.

The ideal candidate will be a flexible team player who is willing to adapt to changes and accept challenges. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have strong time management, organization, networking, and communication skills.

Job Responsibilities:

Business Retention/Expansion:

+ Acts as Director of Idaho’s trade promotion grant program(s)

+ Assesses needs of businesses for retention/expansion in Idaho

+ Builds relationships with existing Idaho companies and advises businesses of various market development, financing, workforce training and business planning resources

+ Assists businesses with expansion plans by connecting them to market, trade development, financing, and workforce planning resources

+ Coordinates with state, federal and regional sources to assist in business expansion and entrepreneurial development

+ Provides technical assistance to communities and local development groups applying for federal and state grants to aid business expansion

+ Promotes the Idaho Business Network to clients as a way to expand markets

+ Researches and gathers data from industry, subscriptions, and open sources to help businesses and stakeholders make decisions on expansion, trade, and retention opportunities

+ Support the operation of Idaho’s overseas trade offices

Marketing:

+ Analyzes market opportunities and state competitiveness

+ Develops promotional materials and assists with website updates for the Business Development Team

+ Plans domestic and international trade shows including research, budget planning, and event coordination and execution

+ Attends domestic and international trade shows to market Idaho for trade development, business expansion, retention, and relocation

+ Conducts high-level management site visits of existing Idaho companies and makes presentations to businesses

Coordination and Liaison:

+ Serves as a liaison to local units of government, chambers of commerce, state agencies, and private sector organizations and development groups on a broad range of economic development activities

+ Evaluates business expansion potential of a community and provides technical assistance to local governments in planning adequate infrastructure

+ Conducts workshops and makes presentations to local economic development groups, chambers of commerce, and local units of government to assist them in designing and implementing programs to facilitate business development and to promote Idaho's business opportunities

+ Acts as a relationship manager between industries and communities to promote business expansion, trade, and retention

+ Consults with Idaho’s businesses on foreign trade opportunities, global business economic conditions, international marketing practices, financing tools, import and export regulation documentation, and tariffs

+ Assist the Commerce specialist assigned to the Personal Care industry with domestic and international documentation including Good Manufacturing Practices Certifications (GMP) and Certificate of Free Sale requests

+ Perform accounting tasks related to contracts, invoices, and travel expenses

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

+ Working in a professional capacity with federal, state, or local economic development/assistance programs

+ Organizing and conducting workshops and making presentations

Good knowledge of:

+ Economic development, business assistance and marketing concepts

+ State and local economic development practices

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

+ Planning events and/or trade shows

+ Managing grants including contract and documentation management, company outreach, and reconciliations

+ Using Microsoft Office products

+ Working with executives, elected officials, media, and the public

Some knowledge of:

+ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programs

+ Idaho’s industries and business environment

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

+ One of the top 5 retirement systems in the Nation (PERSI (https://www.persi.idaho.gov/) ) that offers a defined lifetime benefit at retirement

+ 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options

+ Medical, vision, and dental insurance (https://ogi.idaho.gov/) benefits that become effective first of the month following your hire date. All contributions can be pre-tax

+ 11 paid holidays

+ Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)

+ Paid parental leave (https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/)

+ Life insurance for self, spouse, and children

+ Additional perks and discounts (https://www.regence.com/producer/tools-for-members/advantages-discounts) available through medical provider

+ Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service)

+ Employee assistance program (https://ogi.idaho.gov/counseling/)

Additional information related to benefits and/or State programs can be found here: https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.