ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYST

Acceptable Experience and Education 

Bachelor’s Degree in business, public administration, economics, finance or related field including one (1) year of experience involving application of research methods.   

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

 
Certificates, Licenses, and other Requirements 

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso. 

In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date. 

Candidates possessing one or more of the following qualifications are strongly preferred:

• Experience working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including business expansion, business retention, entrepreneurship, or business consulting.
• Demonstrated business acumen, including the ability to understand financial statements, business operations, market trends, and organizational performance.
• Experience in data analysis, including the collection, interpretation, visualization, and presentation of economic, demographic, workforce, or financial data to support strategic decision-making.
• Bilingual proficiency (English and Spanish), with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of or experience administering workforce development programs, including federal, state, or local workforce initiatives, talent development strategies, or partnerships with workforce agencies and educational institutions.
• Experience with economic development incentive programs, grant administration, or business recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Proficiency with data visualization and analytical software such as Microsoft Power BI, ArcGIS, Tableau, or similar platforms is desirable.
• Experience preparing executive reports, presentations, and recommendations for elected officials, executive leadership, or governing boards.

Essential Duties 

Gathers, researches, and analyzes economic development information; 

Studies information from a variety of sources including demographic, incentives, local business climate, local real estate, impact and feasibility studies and local regulations and incentives; 

Interprets and provides information to internal and external customers; provides technical assistance and guidance on complex incentive programs available;  

Interprets and provides information to internal and external customers; provides technical assistance and guidance on complex incentive programs available; 

Oversees economic incentive programs, including tax abatement, revolving loan fund, state enterprise zone, and recruitment of industries; 

Examines, collects, and interprets financial information from Chapter 381 applications to make recommendations to the Commissioner’s Court; 

Analyzes financial market trends to help with investment decisions in the form of Chapter 381 agreements, grant programs, and community partnerships to determine the return on investment for various programs;  

Reviews applications; prepares agreements and back up documentation to be placed on county, county and college agendas; work with clients to negotiate terms of tax abatement agreement and other incentive programs; presents recommendations to taxing entities to execute agreement; performs follow-up sessions to explain contract monitoring;  

Plans and develops programs to attract and retain business and industry for the County; 

Participates in marketing incentive programs; 

Assists in setting guidelines and policy for abatement of local property tax and other incentive programs; 

Monitors tax abatement contracts and certification; 

Reviews files to ensure companies are meeting contractual obligations; 

Assists in the efforts of industry recruitment and retention; 

Provides technical support regarding local and state tax incentives available; 

Attends monthly meetings for business development committees; meets with clients to promote available incentives and provide information regarding the business climate;  

Represent the department at various meetings and discussions concerning the role of the County in economic development; 

Attends seminars and training programs related to assigned work, prepares and makes presentations to civic and business organizations on local economic development efforts; 

Communicates with the media; 

Participates in a variety of projects in support of the department; participates in gathering and evaluating data used in grant applications and other projects; 

Acts as a liaison and expeditor between various government agencies and departments and private business, industry and development representatives; 

Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations; 

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and 

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills. 

Other Important Duties* 

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned. 

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor. 

Summary of Position 

The Economic Development Analyst under general supervision provides financial support, researches information, evaluates statistics, and writes technical reports on various departmental procedures and projects. 

Organizational Relationships 

Reports to: Director or designee 

Directs: This is a non-supervisory position. 

Other: Has frequent contact with the Auditor’s Department, Purchasing Department, Project Managers, Vendors, Private sector commercial and investment bankers, Investors, Developers and other key partners; and Elected and Appointed County Officials and other county employees. 

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of finance and accounting; federal, state and local government program and grants financial procedures; basic principles of contractual law; methods and techniques of monitoring contract compliance; basic fund accounting and auditing procedures; local government operations and non-profit industry practices; government purchasing policies, procedures, rules and regulations; report preparation; research and statistical analysis; pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment and supporting office computer applications to include Windows and Microsoft based products. Skill/Ability to: Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; strong communication skills to accurately communicate complex financial/accounting issues to the media and other “non-financial” persons; must have strong interpersonal relations, teamwork, research and analysis, organization and time management, use of office equipment including computers and applicable office software; research, collect, analyze and interpret data; read and comprehend contract and regulatory language; prepare written recommendations and reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships; learn the organization, procedures and operating details of the County department to which assigned; demonstrate strong organizational skills; experience prioritizing projects and working on several projects simultaneously with interruptions; efficient and accurate in completing tasks as required; attending to detail, and able to anticipate and meet deadlines while working under pressure of multiple and changing priorities; possess well developed, decision making skills, attention to detail with a high level of accuracy; excel in a diverse, collaborative team environment; a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential client, donor, and employee information and situations; multi-task and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations; understand various agency operations and procedures; maintain a professional, customer service-oriented attitude; possess excellent diplomacy, and social skills; display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently; operate with purpose, urgency, and accuracy in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment; maintain confidentiality and have the ability to exercise a high level of judgment/discretion; possess excellent time management; work with minimum supervision; Pass a Criminal Background Check.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance: