Job Abstract

Professional role performing and supporting a wide range of duties to support economic development and tourism projects, programs and activities. The work of this position is as varied as the field of economic development and tourism. It may include development of marketing materials, research and presentation of data or summary of reports, assisting and reviewing the preparation of Department reports, tracking and preparing organizational and financial data, and critical support for development and implementation of projects.

The position also performs difficult technical work assisting in the development, maintenance, and administration of varied County management and technical systems and processes and related work as required. Teamwork and collaboration are a critical component of this position. Work is performed under general supervision of the Tourism Program Manager.

Assists in the development, maintenance, administration and management of economic development and tourism projects and programs; Prepares, maintains, updates and processes administrative, financial, and other records and files for the Department and Stafford Economic Development Authority.

Examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this position.

• Analyzes and develops processes for specific department needs including both project oriented systems as well as administrative functions;

• Serves as a team member and assistant to provide customer support and monitor and reconcile office operations;

• May take lead role in ongoing small business and entrepreneurial development services and programs;

• Assists the public and employees with various needs and concerns pertaining to the Department mission including direct customer interaction by phone or in-person;

• May assist along with other team members with processing accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, budgetary and other financial data;

• Performs operations, calculations, and posts to statistical and other records applying knowledge of regulations and procedures;

• Supports and serves as immediate back up to Front Office receptionist, greeting visitors and answering the phone;

• May be asked to conduct research, draft or review written documents or grants, memos, letters for critical review and input;

• Enters a variety of data into computer databases and maintains database integrities;

• Enters and retrieves sensitive and restricted information from variety of sources;

• Prepares financial, statistical, project status reports and spreadsheets;

• Reviews and may draft written reports and documents;

• Works as team member with other Department staff to assure projects or deadlines are met;

• May be assigned a project development and management role to assure a coordinated team effort is designed and implemented to meet project deadlines and goals;

• Operates a variety of standard office equipment;

• Performs related tasks as assigned.

The Economic Development and Tourism Specialist position requires sufficient comprehension of the methods of project and program management. The Specialist will work with other members of the Department to identify and organize plans to meet the needs to deal with and resolve unusual and difficult work problems. The Specialist will be able to handle most assignments and problems independently while maintaining communications in a team environment. The Specialist will have regular contact with the general public, other departments and outside agencies providing and seeking information on specialized matters. Positive customer service attitude and interaction is required. The position requires the ability to read and understand detailed economic and business writings and internal policies, procedures and materials that contain specialized words and phrases (jargon and technical language).

The Specialist will be able to process and utilize complicated workplace data and to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas. The ability to read, comprehend, write, and constructively comment on written reports and documents is critical. Intermediate to advanced level of skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint is required. Intermediate or advanced skills in other publishing, graphics, or online software is desirable and may be encouraged by the Department.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and 3 to 5 years of experience in a professional office environment, or related field, or an associate degree with 2 to 4 years of experience in organizational development, finance, business or economics is preferred.