Economic Development Specialist III - SR-24

Plans, organizes, conducts research, and prepares analyses to develop product promotional, industrial expansion, economic or community development and sustainability programs; makes recommendations on all mainland and foreign marketing; identifies and develops opportunities for the expansion of existing businesses and coordinates the promotion of new businesses or community wellbeing programs; develops, promotes, and implements sustainability initiatives; identifies funding sources; administers and monitors grants and program initiatives; assists in the development of marketing organizations and participates in the promotion of effective relationships with retailers, wholesalers, and others; and performs other duties as required.

There is one (1) temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 06/30/2024 with the Department of Research and Development in Hilo.

(Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.)

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list.  Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.    

• Plans, organizes, conducts research, and prepares analyses on a wide variety of products and commodities including economic studies and analyses of local products and industries to evaluate their economic potential and constraints, and to identify development strategies, the most effective methods of marketing local products, and the sources of expertise and funds required.
• Recommends courses of action to maximize development opportunities including new product lines, improvements in merchandising techniques, and other activities.
• Conducts research and reviews of sustainability programs to assess their cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and implementation methods; determines appropriateness for Hawai’i County; prepares report of recommendations.
• Develops and implements a sustainability plan for the County including the establishment of goals and objectives; develops criteria, policies, and procedures for sustainability initiatives; and develops activities to stimulate a cultural change that integrates sustainability values.
• Works with County departments to implement sustainability initiatives relative to improving operational resource efficiency and incorporating environmental sustainability concerns.
• Conducts analysis to identify funding sources for development projects and community requests.
• Produce comprehensive reports on investment opportunities for the County.
• Meets with groups of manufacturers and producers and assists them in establishing corporatives or trade associations; determines their need for market and product development assistance.
• Develops strategic marketing plans and develops product promotion budgets.
• Plans and coordinates product promotional programs or large-scale multi-industry or multi-product promotional campaigns.
• Initiates action to obtain consultants and other contractual services as required.
• Directs the Hawai‘i County Resource Center (HCRC) communication network; plans and recommends strategies to develop and implement its functions and community economic development initiatives.
• Provides technical assistance and training for grant identification and writing, and organizational development.
• Administers and monitors grants, contracts, subcontracts, and program initiatives; oversees project budgets, reports, and timeliness; participates in the evaluation of projects.
• Makes arrangements for facilities and other logistical details required in carrying out projects.
• Promotes cooperation and participation necessary to carry out projects among a variety of interested parties involved; facilitates and develops collaborations and interagency cooperation to promote community-based economic development projects and to increase awareness of sustainability initiatives.
• Maintains a large background of information reflecting the history, growth, and potential for each assigned commodity, product, and/or industry.
• Advises corporative and trade association of marketing or operating opportunities including sources of investment and venture capital.
• Develops and coordinates programs to attract new and/or expand existing businesses including developing and promoting activities such as visitations to Hawai‘i, development seminars, workshops or meetings, missions to the mainland or foreign countries, trade shows, etc.
• Keeps abreast of current laws, regulations, and tax incentives at local, national, and international levels to determine opportunities for employment and business in Hawai‘i County; participates in professional organizations to keep abreast of new initiatives and technologies.
• Participates in drafting legislative proposals dealing with various aspects of industry development and product promotion.
• Participates in reviewing bills and resolutions and drafting comments or testimony as required.
• May attend legislative hearings as a resource person.
• May participate in drafting new rules and regulations to implement new legislation or to update existing rules and regulations.
• Travels to various districts around the island to meet with groups of interested parties, private businesses, community organizations, and other governmental agencies to explain and promote the services of the various economic development programs and to increase awareness of the County’s sustainability initiatives.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience: 
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in marketing, business administration, public administration, economics, finance, foreign trade, public health, social services, education or a related field (scan and attach your official college transcript), and
• four (4) years of responsible work experience involving the compilation, examination, analyses, and interpretation of statistical and other data, of which
• two (2) years shall have involved the coordination and monitoring of community, economic development, and/or sustainability projects/programs.
• possession of a valid State of Hawai‘i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver’s license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your driver's license at time of hire.)

Examination:   All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points.  An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully.  Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score.  It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.   
Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. 

Note:   In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency.  If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of:  principles and theories of marketing management including pricing, distribution and sales organization, advertising media and promotion, marketing research, public health community wellbeing, and competitive relationships; general knowledge of business management principles, financing, and credit practices; organizational development; resource management; grant writing; general knowledge of trade restrictions and controls; operations and structure of product promotion organizations; industrial and agricultural development techniques; advanced statistical research methods and techniques; sources of information on economic and business subjects; local and state economic or community wellbeing- trends; public relations; and supportive governmental programs available to businesses.

Ability to:  plan, organize, and independently conduct complex research on business and economic subjects; apply theories and principles of marketing and industrial and agricultural development; identify marketing needs of various products and commodities and develop effective plans for the resolution of problems in the area; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; maintain an awareness of mainland and foreign marketing conditions and trends; prepare comprehensive reports based on research findings; attend island-wide meetings and functions, including off-hours and weekend work as needed; conduct island-wide site inspections.

Physical Requirements:  Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping:  Light Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification, 
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
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You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application.   Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.

Salary : $63,384 - $71,268