Contract Economic Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $62,955.00 - $75,546.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 911 10th Street, Golden, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00060
Department: Community and Economic Development
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
The City of Golden is currently seeking Economic Development Specialist applicants. Come and see why the City of Golden is the place you want to be!
Being a Golden employee is more than just a job, it's a lifestyle. Golden is a vibrant outdoor community making it a great place to live, work and play.

• Location, location, location - Work near great restaurants and shops, hit the trails, and enjoy the outdoor scenery of Clear Creek and the foothills. Convenient commuting from all directions.
• Paid time off - Paid vacation starts at 16 days (that's over 3 weeks!), plus 12 days of sick time and 12 paid holidays each year.
• Great benefits - The City matches up to 8% of your retirement contributions, plus offers a full-spectrum of benefits and perks, including tuition reimbursement ()!

Under the guidance of the Economic Development Manager, assists with administering economic development policies and programs throughout the City. Participates in the implementation of community wide economic and redevelopment programs of the Economic Development Commission (EDComm) as well as the adopted community goals and policies of the Golden Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA). Assists with the Public Art Commission as needed.
JOB SUMMARY
Researches policy issues; collects and assembles data on Golden businesses and business trends; prepares meeting materials, contracts, annual reports; and creates and updates economic development, EDComm, GURA, DDA, and PAC webpages, communications, and social media.
Assists with direct business retention and attraction efforts, and coordinates with other City economic development, sustainability, public art, and healthy communities programs affecting the entire community. Examples of such efforts include:

• Assists with implementation of the EDComm work plan including workforce development and entrepreneurship/innovation initiatives including partnerships, communication strategies, and events for both.
• Assists with the coordination with regional and state economic development partners to educate and connect Golden businesses to financial incentives, access to capital, and other programs.
• In conjunction with the Economic Development Manager, develops partnerships among the DDA, GURA, Visit Golden, the PAC and other community organizations to cross-promote respective missions and events.
• Reorganizes and updates contracts, funding applications, and partnership strategies to maximize EDComm, DDA, and GURA goals and initiatives.

Assists the Economic Development Manager with the management and administration of the DDA and GURA including preparing for and conducting of DDA/GURA meetings, record keeping, budget updates, and day to day fiscal controls.
Assists the Economic Development Manager in preparing annual budget materials for the DDA/GURA, including revenue estimates and expenditures.
Assists with management and coordination of DDA programs and projects as determined by the Authority's annual budget of ~$500,000. Examples of such programs include holiday decorations, business banners, power washing of sidewalks, downtown directories, and directional signs, and providing funds for City implemented infrastructure projects. Such programs may also include direct business assistance programs. Assists the Economic Development Manager with GURA and DDA redevelopment projects and public infrastructure investments.
Assists with regular and consistent contact with the general Golden business community, EDComm community partners, GURA, DDA, Visit Golden, Chamber of Commerce, downtown merchants, and other related agencies and groups.
Assists the Economic Development Manager and the Community Marketing Coordinator with the "Visit Golden" community marketing program. Helps promote the DDA area through this program.
Helps promote and support downtown area events sponsored and implemented by others including the Chamber of Commerce. (The DDA does not anticipate creating or holding events.)
Assists the Economic Development Manager in evaluation and presentation of potential redevelopment agreements to the DDA/GURA for consideration.
Other duties may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Business, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Marketing, or related field preferred. Minimum 3 years marketing, public relations, or economic development experience promoting businesses. In depth knowledge of business and marketing principles and strategies. Strong marketing and public relation skills. Strong knowledge of the City of Golden business and cultural community preferred. Must have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently with little direct supervision. Must possess excellent organization and administrative skills. Prior supervisory experience preferred.
Any equivalent combination of training and experience that demonstrates the applicant possesses the necessary traits and skill required for the position may be considered as substitution for degree.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must possess a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Must have excellent verbal communication skills and ability to deal with diverse population groups. Ability to present information in a pleasant, helpful, and enthusiastic manner. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of personnel within the City, external clients, business prospects, partner organizations, and the general public in a positive and cooperative manner. Must be able to read, comprehend and interpret City of Golden policies and procedures, market data and relevant programs. Ability to respond to customer concerns promptly and effectively. Ability to communicate the department's philosophy, programs, and services to customers, including businesses and property owners; developers; merchant associations and chambers of commerce; consultants; city staff members; employees and offices of other government agencies; and members of other community groups or organizations through face-to-face contact, by telephone, through use of the computer, and through written and oral presentations.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals for preparation of accounts payable, timesheets and basic budget preparation. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs for the ability to interpret marketing data and trends. Ability to understand and manage assigned annual budget.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with practical problems involving a variety of concrete variables where limited standardization may exist. Ability to use independent judgment in most situations. Ability to work well with limited or no supervision.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Ability to apply proficient project management skills to successfully deliver multiple projects. Ability to successfully leverage staff and financial resources for effective time and cost savings. Ability to develop new work methods and procedures with initiative and judgment and to use resourcefulness and tact in meeting new problems. Ability to multi-task and interact in a dynamic environment using independent judgment and personal initiative. Ability to exercise independent judgment in absence of supervision. Flexibility and the ability to work independently.
MATERIALS and EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED
Standard office equipment including computer, copier, fax, phone, and printer. City or personal vehicle for appointments and errands.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hand and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to office settings and occasional outside weather conditions. Indoor/Outdoor work environment with moderate noise levels.
City of Golden is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Regular Full-Time (RFT) employees of the City of Golden currently receive numerous benefits as part of their total compensation package. These benefits are in addition to mandated benefits such as: workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and social security. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee while others require employee cost sharing or contributions. Employees are eligible to enroll in most benefits upon hire.
The City of Golden's benefit package can comprise an average of 35% of total compensation.
Employer Paid Benefits Include:
Term Life Insurance
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program
Cost Sharing Benefits Include:
Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
401(a) Retirement Plan
Full-time employees can also take advantage of:
Wellness Benefits
Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Account
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Vision Coverage
Tuition Program
Supplemental Life Insurance
Full-Time employees receive the following leave options:
128 Hours of Annual Leave (accrued each pay period)
96 Hours of Sick Leave (accrued each pay period)
12 Paid Company Holidays
For more detailed information please refer to the section of our website.
01
The hiring range for this position is $62,955-$75,546 depending on skills and experience. Are you comfortable with this range of pay?

• Yes
• No

02
Please select the highest level of education you've completed.

• High Sschool Diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree or Some College
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Business, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Marketing, or related field
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in unrelated field
• None of the above

03
Please select your years of experience working as a project manager, planner, or consultant to community groups, including developing programs, providing customer service, and advocating for community needs.

• 0-2 years
• 3-4 years
• 5-6 years
• 7 or more years

04
Describe your familiarity with economic development research and data sources (U.S. Census, American Community Survey, Emsi, ArcGIS, etc.) and communications/social media.
05
Describe your experience with business retention and attraction efforts.
06
Do you possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record? A good driving record includes, but is not limited to, no suspension or revocation of license within the last three years and no conviction of a DUI, DUID, DWAI or any hit and run accident within the past two years.

• Yes
• No

Required Question