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Economic Development Administration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Mesa

Economic Development Specialist

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$74K - $102K/yr

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Economic Development, Business or Public Administration, Commercial Real Estate, International Business, or a related ...

City of Golden

Economic Development Specialist

Golden, CO · On-site

$62K - $75K/yr

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 ...

HireLogic Search Group

FL · On-site

About the job Economic Development Director Location: Miami-Dade County The Role We are seeking a ... Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business, or a related field (Masters ...

City of Modesto

Economic Development Manager

Modesto, CA · On-site

$134K - $171K/yr

Manage high visibility departmental projects and activities and assist the Director of Community and Economic Development in administration of departmental programs. Review impact of economic ...

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How much do economic development administration jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development administration in the United States is $103,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Economic Development Administrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Development Administrator, you need a solid background in economics, urban planning, public administration, and often a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with economic analysis software, grant management systems, and GIS tools is typically required. Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills help build partnerships and drive community initiatives. These competencies are crucial for effectively designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote sustainable economic growth.

What does an economic development administrator do?

An economic development administrator plans and manages programs to promote economic growth and community development. They analyze economic data, coordinate with government agencies and businesses, and oversee projects that create jobs and improve infrastructure. Strong communication, project management skills, and knowledge of economic policies are essential for this role.

What are some typical projects or initiatives that professionals in the Economic Development Administration work on, and how do they collaborate with local stakeholders?

Professionals in the Economic Development Administration (EDA) often work on projects such as infrastructure improvements, workforce development programs, and business attraction or retention initiatives in economically distressed communities. Collaboration is central to the role; EDA staff regularly engage with local governments, business leaders, non-profits, and community organizations to identify community needs and design effective grant-funded projects. This collaborative approach helps ensure that initiatives are tailored to local priorities and have strong stakeholder buy-in, making the work dynamic and community-focused.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

In the field of economic development administration, high-paying roles such as senior project managers or economic consultants can earn around $10,000 per month, often requiring extensive experience, strong analytical skills, and knowledge of economic policies. These positions typically involve overseeing development projects, analyzing economic data, and coordinating with stakeholders, and may not require a formal degree if complemented by relevant experience and certifications.

What is the difference between Economic Development Administration vs Economic Development Specialist?

AspectEconomic Development AdministrationEconomic Development Specialist
RoleFederal agency providing grants and support for regional economic growthProfessional implementing economic development projects at local or regional levels
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in economics, public policy, or related fieldsRequires a degree in economics, urban planning, or related areas; certifications may enhance prospects
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, policy planning, grant managementFieldwork, community engagement, project coordination
Employer & IndustryFederal government, public sectorLocal government, non-profits, consulting firms

While the Economic Development Administration is a federal agency supporting regional growth, the Economic Development Specialist is a professional role focused on executing development projects. Both require similar educational backgrounds, but differ in scope and work environment.

What does the economic development administration do?

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is a federal agency that supports economic growth and job creation in distressed communities through grants, technical assistance, and strategic planning. EDA professionals analyze regional economic data, develop development strategies, and coordinate with local stakeholders to promote sustainable economic development.

What profession makes $400,000 a year?

In the field of economic development, senior roles such as Chief Economic Development Officer or senior executives in government agencies can earn salaries around $400,000 annually, especially with extensive experience and advanced degrees. High-level positions often require strong leadership skills, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of economic policies and programs.
More about Economic Development Administration jobs
What cities are hiring for Economic Development Administration jobs? Cities with the most Economic Development Administration job openings:
What states have the most Economic Development Administration jobs? States with the most job openings for Economic Development Administration jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Economic Development Administration jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Economic Development Administration jobs are:
Economic Development Administration jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Development Administration job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,020 per year, or $49.5 per hour.
Economic Development Director

Economic Development Director

Harris County, TX

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 hours ago

Harris County rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 118 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

305th of 663 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16750
Department: Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
Closing Date: 7/5/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity Mission:
  • To connect, value, and empower people, businesses, and communities.

Vision:
  • An inclusive, accessible, prosperous, and resilient Harris County.

What you will do at the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity:
The Economic Development Director serves as the senior leader responsible for implementing, managing, and advancing Harris County Economic Development initiatives. This position drives business attraction, retention, and expansion by deploying the full suite of tax incentive and financing tools available under local, state, and federal law. The Director collaborates with elected officials, the business community, site selectors, developers, regional partners, and state agencies to expand the tax base, create quality jobs, and strengthen the jurisdiction's economic competitiveness.
Leadership Scope:
  • The Director is the primary accountable executive for Economic Development and Strategy, including:
  • Translating plan goals and benchmarks into annual work programs with measurable outcomes
  • Aligning departmental budget requests and staffing with strategic priorities
  • Reporting plan progress quarterly to elected officials and the public
  • Coordinating cross-departmental initiatives (planning, public works, finance, legal) required for plan success

Duties and Responsibilities:
Business Development & Attraction
  • Lead proactive marketing and recruitment efforts targeting priority industry sectors identified in the strategic plan
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective businesses, site selectors, and real estate brokers
  • Manage prospect relationships throughout the full pipeline, from initial inquiry to operational launch
  • Negotiate letters of intent, development agreements, and incentive packages on behalf of the jurisdiction

Tax Incentive Program Administration
The Director must possess deep, applied knowledge of all available tax tools and strategically lead their deployment:
  • Tax Abatement Policy: Design, negotiate, and administer real and personal property tax abatement agreements; establish performance standards (job creation, wage thresholds, capital investment); monitor compliance and enforce clawback provisions
  • Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ): Administer or pursue FTZ grantee/operator status; advise manufacturers and distributors on duty deferral, reduction, and weekly entry procedures; coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Hotel/Motel & Hospitality Taxes (HOT): Advise on allowable uses of HOT revenues for tourism and economic development; partner with CVBs and the hospitality industry on eligible project funding
  • Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Identify, designate, and manage TIF districts; prepare project and financing plans; coordinate bond issuance and fund administration with the finance department
  • New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC): Partner with CDFIs and investors to channel NMTC allocations into qualifying low-income community investments
  • Opportunity Zones: Market designated Opportunity Zones to investors; connect developers with Qualified Opportunity Funds; track qualifying investment activity
  • Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) / Revenue Bonds: Structure and administer IRBs and other conduit financing for qualifying manufacturing and industrial projects
  • Sales Tax Incentives: Administer local option sales tax rebate programs and Chapter 380/381 (or equivalent) economic development agreements
  • PILOT Agreements: Negotiate Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes arrangements with nonprofit or public institutions as economic development tools
  • Federal & State Grants: Identify and pursue EDA, CDBG-ED, USDA, and state economic development grant opportunities aligned with plan priorities

Retention & Expansion (BRE)
  • Execute a structured Business Retention and Expansion program with regular outreach to existing employers
  • Identify businesses at risk of relocation or contraction and develop retention strategies
  • Facilitate expansion projects for existing businesses, including incentive structuring and site/facility assistance Workforce & Talent Pipeline
  • Partner with workforce boards, community colleges, and K-12 systems to align training programs with employer needs
  • Integrate workforce development objectives into incentive agreements where appropriate

Stakeholder & Community Engagement
  • Build and maintain relationships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, utilities, and regional economic development organizations
  • Present before elected bodies, planning commissions, and community groups on economic development matters
  • Represent the jurisdiction at state, regional, and national economic development conferences and events

Administration & Compliance
  • Supervise economic development professional staff; conduct performance evaluations and foster professional development
  • Prepare and manage the department budget; ensure fiscal accountability for all incentive programs
  • Maintain a comprehensive incentive tracking and compliance database; submit required state and federal reports
  • Ensure all programs operate within applicable legal and ethical frameworks; work with legal counsel on agreements.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field
Experience:
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role
  • Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering tax abatement agreements, TIF districts, or equivalent incentive programs
  • Experience with multiple state and federal financing and incentive tools (IRBs, NMTCs, Opportunity Zones, EDA grants, CDBG-ED, or equivalents)
  • Proven track record of successfully recruiting businesses, closing deals, and managing incentive compliance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Working knowledge of Foreign Trade Zone administration and federal trade zone regulations
  • Familiarity with hotel/motel tax (HOT) statutes, allowable uses, and tourism-related economic development applications
  • Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal economic development statutes, regulations, and incentive programs
  • Expert-level understanding of property tax abatement policy design, performance benchmarking, and claw back mechanisms
  • Strong financial analysis skills, including ROI modeling for incentive packages and cost-benefit analysis
  • Ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, business leaders, and community members
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to present complex financial and policy information to lay audiences
  • Proficiency in economic development CRM platforms and GIS-based site selection tools
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously
  • High ethical standards and commitment to transparency in the administration of public incentive programs

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Education:
  • Master's Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field
  • Graduate-level coursework or certification in public finance, tax law, or community development finance
Experience:
  • Experience administering a municipal or county Foreign Trade Zone subzone or grantee program
Certifications and Designations:
  • Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
  • Site Selector Guild membership or demonstrable relationships with national site selection community

General Information
Position Type and Scheduled Hours:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with frequent travel to business sites, community events, and state/national conferences. Evening and weekend work may be required for public meetings and industry events. The position is expected to maintain availability for time-sensitive business prospect needs. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. Typical office work with limited physical demands.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Wellness Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
  • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
  • One (1) floating holiday per year
  • Paid Parental Leave*
  • Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
  • Professional learning & development opportunities
  • Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
  • Flexible work schedule*
  • METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.
  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • None of the above

02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?
  • Business Administration
  • Economic Development
  • Finance
  • Public Administration
  • Urban Planning
  • Other related field
  • Unrelated field
  • N/A; No degree

03
Does your educational background include graduate-level coursework or certification in public finance, tax law, or community development finance?
  • Yes
  • No

04
In which of the following areas do you have demonstrated work experience?Select all that apply.Qualifying experience must be documented in the Work Experience section of your application.
  • Administering a municipal or county Foreign Trade Zone subzone or grantee program
  • Administering tax agreements and guiding negotiation processes
  • Creating business partnerships and bringing deals to completion
  • Leveraging state and/or federal financing and incentive programs
  • Monitoring and enforcing compliance requirem

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About Harris County

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Harris County is the third largest county in the United States with more than 4.7 million residents. There are four precincts in Harris County. The four elected commissioners, along with an elected county judge, serve as members of the Harris County Commissioners Court, the administrative head of the county's government.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

2000

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