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Economic Development Director Jobs in Topeka, KS

Public Consulting Group

Eligibility Supervisor

Topeka, KS · On-site

$43K - $56K/yr

Our Human Services team helps state and municipal human services and economic development agencies ... Direct supervision of one or more team members including weekly check-ins; providing training ...

GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc.

Dental Assistant

Topeka, KS · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Performs direct patient care within the limits of his/her training and capabilities when the ... Assists in the development and documentation of protocols related to his/her job functions.

GraceMed Health Clinic

Dental Assistant

Topeka, KS · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Performs direct patient care within the limits of his/her training and capabilities when the ... Assists in the development and documentation of protocols related to his/her job functions.

GraceMed Health Clinic

Medical Assistant

Topeka, KS · On-site

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

Performs direct patient care within the limits of his/her training and capabilities when the ... Assists in the development of and documents protocols related to his or her job functions.

GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc.

Medical Assistant

Topeka, KS · On-site

$14.75 - $18.75/hr

Performs direct patient care within the limits of his/her training and capabilities when the ... Assists in the development of and documents protocols related to his or her job functions.

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Economic Development Director information

See Topeka, KS salary details

$45.6K

$116.6K

$190.1K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Topeka, KS is $116,633.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,200.00 and $144,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an economic development director?

An economic development director is a city government employee who helps spur the city economy. Your two biggest responsibilities are to persuade new businesses to move into your town and to encourage existing businesses to expand. You attend fundraising events for civic and business groups and interact with donors to make connections with potentially valuable economic partners. Your duties include developing strategic programs for economic and financial growth, analyzing market trends, writing city tax policy proposals, and advising the city manager and the city council.

What does an economic development director do?

An Economic Development Director is responsible for creating and implementing strategies to promote economic growth within a community or region. They work to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and encourage job creation by collaborating with local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations. Their duties often include managing economic incentive programs, overseeing redevelopment projects, and conducting market research to identify opportunities for development. Ultimately, their goal is to improve the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an economic development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Development Director, you need expertise in economic analysis, project management, and public policy, typically supported by a degree in economics, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with economic modeling software, GIS tools, and grant management systems is often required, along with certifications such as Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Strong leadership, strategic communication, and relationship-building abilities help foster collaboration among public, private, and community stakeholders. These skills are crucial for identifying growth opportunities, securing funding, and driving sustainable economic progress in a community or region.

What are the main challenges economic development directors face when balancing community needs and business interests?

Economic Development Directors often need to align the interests of local businesses, government stakeholders, and community members, which can be challenging due to differing priorities. For example, attracting new businesses might conflict with preserving community character or addressing affordable housing. Success in this role frequently involves transparent communication, creative problem-solving, and building consensus through public engagement and strategic partnerships. Navigating these complexities requires adaptability and a strong understanding of both economic trends and local needs.

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

AspectEconomic Development DirectorEconomic Development Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Economics, Business, or Public Administration; experience in economic planningSimilar credentials, often with less managerial experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership role in government agencies or economic development organizationsSupport role, assisting with projects and research
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, regional agencies, economic development firmsLocal government departments, economic development offices
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in economic developmentLearning about supporting roles in economic growth projects

The main difference between an Economic Development Director and an Economic Development Specialist lies in their level of responsibility and leadership. The Director oversees strategic planning and manages teams, while the Specialist focuses on supporting projects and research. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work within government or economic organizations, but the Director holds a higher managerial position.

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What job categories do people searching Economic Development Director jobs in Topeka, KS look for?

The top searched job categories for Economic Development Director jobs in Topeka, KS are:

What cities near Topeka, KS are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs?

Cities near Topeka, KS with the most Economic Development Director job openings:

Economic Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Development Director job openings in Topeka, KS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,633 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

SENIOR ECONOMIST - DIRECT HIRE

US Department of the Treasury

Topeka, KS

$125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

U.S. Department Of The Treasury rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

308th of 848 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

WHAT IS LARGE BUSINESS & INTERNATIONAL (LB&I) DIVISION?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

  • Positions are to be filled in the following area(s):
    • Director Treaty and Transfer Pricing Operations (TTPO), Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreements (APMA)

REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS All GRADES: A degree in Economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Evaluation of Experience
Examples of qualifying experience include:
  1. Individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
  2. Supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
  3. Teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.

Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations:
  1. Economic statistics;
  2. Industrial surveys;
  3. Management of individual business enterprises, including farms;
  4. Industrial planning;
  5. Writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and
  6. Financial market analysis.

AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION FOR GS-14: In addition to meeting basic requirements, to be eligible for this position at this grade level, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Experience analyzing complex transfer-pricing transactions, selecting and applying appropriate economic methods, and developing conclusions under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 482, applicable regulations, court decisions, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Transfer Pricing Guidelines.
  • Experience evaluating taxpayer and tax-authority positions, identifying disputed technical issues, and facilitating or negotiating resolutions in complex transfer-pricing cases with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience preparing technical reports, supporting documentation, and Excel-based financial and economic models that present calculations, comparability adjustments, findings, and conclusions for transfer-pricing examinations or studies.

AND
You must also meet the following requirements:
  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old, or at least 16 years old and have:
    • Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
    • Completed a formal vocational training program; or
    • Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER

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