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Economic Development Associate Jobs in Grass Valley, CA

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Economic Development Associate information

See Grass Valley, CA salary details

$33.1K

$61K

$92.5K

How much do economic development associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development associate in Grass Valley, CA is $60,974.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $68,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is economic development a good career path?

Economic development is a viable career that involves planning and implementing strategies to improve local economies, often requiring skills in research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. It offers opportunities in government agencies, non-profits, and consulting firms, with roles that can impact community growth and job creation.

What degree do you need to work in an economic development associate?

An economic development associate typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in fields such as economics, public administration, urban planning, or related areas. Relevant skills include data analysis, project management, and knowledge of economic policies, with some roles preferring or requiring a master's degree or professional certifications.

What does an Economic Development Associate do?

An Economic Development Associate supports efforts to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in communities by assisting with projects, research, and outreach related to business growth, job creation, and community development. They often work with public agencies, private organizations, and stakeholders to analyze economic trends, prepare reports, and implement programs that attract or retain businesses. Their responsibilities may also include grant writing, event planning, and helping manage communications with local businesses and government officials.

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

To thrive as an Economic Development Associate, you need strong analytical abilities, knowledge of economic principles, and a relevant degree in economics, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools, GIS software, and grant management systems is typically required. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills help you engage stakeholders and drive community initiatives. These competencies are crucial for successfully attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

What is the difference between Economic Development Associate vs Economic Development Coordinator?

AspectEconomic Development AssociateEconomic Development Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in economics, urban planning, or related fieldBachelor's degree; some roles prefer experience in project management
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, economic development firmsLocal government offices, economic development agencies
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in public sector economic initiativesOften used interchangeably with Associate, focusing on project coordination

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree and involve working in government or non-profit sectors focused on economic growth. The main difference lies in scope: Associates often assist with research and outreach, while Coordinators may handle project management and implementation tasks. Understanding these distinctions can help job seekers target the right position based on their skills and career goals.

What are some common challenges Economic Development Associates face when working with local stakeholders?

Economic Development Associates often encounter challenges such as balancing diverse stakeholder interests, navigating complex regulatory environments, and communicating effectively with both public and private sector partners. Building consensus among local government officials, business leaders, and community members requires strong interpersonal and facilitation skills. Additionally, associates must stay adaptable to shifting economic conditions and policy changes while ensuring that projects align with both community needs and organizational goals.
Economic Development Associate jobs near you

Product & Business Development Associate - Energy Software

BoxPower

Grass Valley, CA • Remote

$45K - $62K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:

EASI is BoxPower's cloud platform for modeling, pricing, and designing solar + storage microgrid projects — turning work that took weeks into minutes. Since its public beta launch in March 2026, external users have modeled $100M+ in project value on the platform.

EASI has strong top-of-funnel growth; this role's job is to turn users into active, successful users — and channel partners into a repeatable pipeline. The Product & Business Development Associate is the face of EASI to developers, ESCOs, and utility partners: onboarding them, teaching them what's possible, publishing content that shows how, and demoing the platform at industry events. Internally, they translate what they hear into roadmap input and go-to-market plans alongside the Director of Software Products. This is a high-ownership role for an early-career energy generalist who can hold their own in both a technical modeling conversation and a partner pitch. Roughly 75% business development and growth, 25% product management.

Key Responsibilities:

Business development & partner enablement (~40%)

  • Own onboarding and ongoing support for EASI channel partners (ESCOs, developers, EPCs, co-ops) — from NDA to first modeled project to portfolio adoption.
  • Run product demos: live at conferences and meetups, and scheduled deep-dives with prospective partners; drive on-the-spot signups.
  • Support the sales team in using EASI for their own deals (proposals, budgetary pricing, RFP inputs).
  • Gather structured partner feedback and verify partner-modeled projects as real commercial pipeline.

User engagement & growth (~35%)

  • Own activation and retention of the existing user base: guided first-project onboarding, re-engagement campaigns, and targeted newsletters.
  • Create technical content — case studies and “how to model X in EASI” walkthroughs (resiliency, bridging power, flexible interconnection) — for LinkedIn, Reddit developer communities, and the blog.
  • Run outbound experiments (cold email/calls to target segments) and identify high-fit events for demos.
  • Monitor product analytics (MixPanel) to spot stuck users, feature gaps, and conversion candidates.

Product management (~25%)

  • Turn user research and partner feedback into clear product requirements and prioritized roadmap input.
  • Drive go-to-market for new EASI features: release messaging, documentation, training material, and demo scripts.
  • Maintain competitive awareness of adjacent modeling tools (HOMER, Xendee, Energy Toolbase, etc.) and how EASI wins.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in an energy-related field — electrical/mechanical engineering, physics, energy systems, or similar (or equivalent experience).
  • 0–3 years of post-grad experience in energy, cleantech, consulting, or B2B software. Strong recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
  • Hands-on exposure to energy modeling tools — e.g. HOMER, Energy Toolbase, Xendee, PVsyst, HelioScope, or REopt — from coursework, research, or work.
  • Excellent communicator — able to explain a techno-economic model to an engineer and its business value to an executive, in writing and live.
  • Self-directed operator — comfortable owning a number (activation, partner signups) and figuring out how to move it in a startup environment.
  • Able to travel up to 25% for conferences, partner demos, and team onsites.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Understanding of microgrids, DERs, solar + storage economics, or utility planning and interconnection processes.
  • Experience with CRM tools (HubSpot), product analytics (MixPanel), or content creation for technical audiences.
  • Prior demo, sales engineering, applications engineering, or customer success exposure.
  • Experience selling to or working with utilities, co-ops, ESCOs, or EPCs.
  • Based in California — Northern California or a West Coast hub is ideal for partner visits and events.