Economic Development Specialist

City of Baytown•2401 Market St. Baytown, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Join a team dedicated to strengthening the local economy and creating opportunities for businesses and residents to thrive. The Economic Development Specialist plays a vital role in advancing strategic initiatives through data analysis, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement that support business attraction, retention, and expansion. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping shape a competitive, resilient, and business-friendly community. The Economic Development Specialist provides essential technical, analytical, and administrative support to the Economic Development Division to foster a resilient local economy. By maintaining data systems and coordinating high-level projects, this position ensures the City remains competitive in business recruitment and proactive in retention efforts. The Specialist serves as a key liaison, ensuring that the data-driven insights and administrative precision required for boards, developers, and the business community are delivered with excellence.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or institution in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
One year of professional experience in a related role.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).
OR An equivalent combination of education, experience, certification and/or licenses sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
Knowledge of economic development practices and business retention strategies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to organize complex information and maintain accurate records.
Proficiency with CRM systems, databases, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work collaboratively with internal departments, businesses, and community partners.
Ability to get along appropriately with co-workers and the public.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or institution in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
Prior municipal government experience.

Responsibilities

Updating and maintaining accurate information for economic development metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and outcomes.
Providing administrative and technical support for business retention and expansion programs, including grants and other incentive initiatives.
Coordinating logistics for site visits and preparing professional briefing documents, presentation materials, and project packets.
Maintaining confidential project information within the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, ensuring records remain current and accurate.
Preparing agendas, reports, minutes, and other materials for City Council, Municipal Development District, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, and Redevelopment Authority and various boards or committees.
Performing budget-related tasks including invoice processing, travel coordination, purchasing, and expense tracking.
Screening and handling a variety of economic development inquiries from the public, developers, and business community by telephone, email, and in person.
Coordinating logistics for meetings, events, and conferences, including setup, breakdown, and technical support.
Coordinating with internal departments to ensure contracts, agreements, and key documents are reviewed and processed appropriately.
Updating economic development content for the City’s website and social media platforms.
Supporting vendor events, business outreach activities, and community programs that promote businesses and other economic development initiatives.
Assisting with downtown economic revitalization strategies focused on historic preservation, awareness, and educational programming.
Supporting with lead generation, lead follow-up, and general business outreach.
Performing all other duties as assigned.