Economic Development Jobs in Bend, OR (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $109,933.41 - $140,306.19 Annually
Location : City Hall - 710 NW Wall St, Bend, OR
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 20260107
Department: City Managers Office
Division: 0A83
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 12:00 PM Pacific
About the Role
The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1), full-time Urban Renewal Manager. This is a FLSA Exempt (overtime in-eligible), non-represented position. The City may use this job posting to create an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.
The City of Bend is seeking an experienced and visionary urban renewal and redevelopment professional, to lead transformative redevelopment initiatives that support economic vitality, infrastructure investment and vibrant community spaces. The position plays a key leadership role by strategically managing complex efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and lead the urban renewal team to support economic development, improve infrastructure, and create places where people want to live, work, and gather. As the city's Urban Renewal Manager, you'll work with a variety of stakeholders including elected officials, community members, developers, business leaders, and City staff to bring redevelopment visions to life.
Bend is one of Oregon's fastest-growing communities and continues to balance growth, livability, economic opportunity, and infrastructure investment. This position provides a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the community through strategic redevelopment and urban renewal initiatives.
Classification Framework:
What You'll Do
The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in the role and not intended to be an exhaustive list.

• Direct, plan, organize and manage complex urban renewal and redevelopment strategies for all Bend urban renewal areas
• Provide leadership and direction to urban renewal staff and cross-functional project teams responsible for redevelopment planning, implementation, and stakeholder engagement
• Manage the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) Board by providing strategies, financial management, and direct oversight
• Develop and administer urban renewal budgets, tax increment financing (TIF), and financial forecasting
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations for the BURA Board, City Council, advisory committees and community stakeholders
• Lead urban renewal negotiations and policy development for City, private sector and public/private partnership projects
• Lead conceptual development and implementation of a variety of urban renewal areas, including industrial and urban/mixed-use, in stages ranging from inception to maturation
• Ensure transparent, exceptional fiscal management of Bend's Tax Increment Finance Urban Renewal budget
• Develop strategies, programs and projects that invite public use, vitality and inclusivity to urban redevelopment

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, and solutions-oriented leader with experience guiding complex redevelopment initiatives and managing public investments. They bring expertise in urban renewal and economic development, strong financial acumen, and the ability to build trust with elected officials, community members, developers, and partner organizations. The successful candidate effectively balances long-term vision with practical implementation and demonstrates exceptional communication, political acumen, and sound judgment.
Working knowledge of:

• Urban renewal principles and Oregon urban renewal law
• Economic development, redevelopment, and community revitalization strategies
• Tax increment financing (TIF), municipal finance, and bond financing
• Real estate development, urban planning, and urban design principles
• Public administration and local government operations
• Oregon municipal planning, development, and housing regulations
• Project management and implementation of complex capital and redevelopment projects

Skills in:

• Ability to direct, manage and organize urban renewal functions
• Ability to create and implement strategic investment plans
• Ability to use independent judgement and discretion to resolve complex challenges
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction, while also working as part of a team and collaborating with others
• Manage a high volume of tasks at one time, including organizing and prioritizing own work and the work of others
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisors, the public and other stakeholders sufficient to exchange or convey information to provide and receive work directions
• Navigate complex public policy, political, and community interests while maintaining transparency, professionalism, and strong public trust
• Demonstrate a high attention to detail
• Effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e-mail, or in person
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals and groups, both through direct reports and other internal and external teams
• Ability to be an effective collaborator in a team-centered environment and work effectively under minimal direction
• Ability to exercise keen time management skills, balance multiple priorities, and consistently meet timelines and due dates
• Skill in oral presentation and written communications and ability to utilize broad technology applications in documents processing, spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint presentations and publishing software applications
• Ability to use software programs such as Microsoft Office including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint and other interactive computer programs as well as common office equipment

Candidates who meet the listed minimum qualifications, including an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered for an interview. Please ensure your application includes information about your education, relevant paid and unpaid work experience, and applicable licenses and certifications. Avoid referencing your resume in the job duties section of the application.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in urban planning, public administration, business administration, economic development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• 2 years' experience in a similar position and/or performing similar tasks
• 1 year of managerial experience

Certification/Licensing Requirements:

• Current and valid driver's license per City policies outlined in the Employee Handbook

Desired (but not required) Attributes:

• A Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field
• Certifications in planning, commercial real estate and/or economic development
• Experience with municipal bond financing
• Experience working in the public sector with elected officials, advisory boards, and public agencies

What to Know Before Applying
Application Deadline: Applications received by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, will be included in the initial review and considered for interviews. However, the position will remain open until filled.
Application Requirements: To be considered for this position, applicants must have a complete application that includes all of the following attachments (failure to include required attachments may result in disqualification):

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Supplemental Question

Veterans' Preference: Applications seeking Veteran's Preference as a qualified veteran or disabled veteran must attach appropriate documentation to their application. For more information click
Equity Statement: The City of Bendremains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend's Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.
Benefits: The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.
Starting Compensation: Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate's education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.
Diversity & Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The City of Bend is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. At the City of Bend, we don't just accept differences; we value them. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and support the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
Employee Benefit Overview
August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026
Regular Full Time Benefits:
Coverage is effective on the first day of the month, coinciding with or following date of hire.
(If the first day of work is on the first calendar day of the month, coverage is effective that day.)
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Medical, Vision and Prescription Coverage
Underwritten by PacificSource Health Plans
Full-time employees currently pay 10% of the total monthly premium. Benefit-eligible part-time employee premiums are pro-rated according to their regularly-scheduled hours, either at 50% (employees working 20-29 hours per week) or 75% (employees working 30-39 hours per week) of the full monthly premium.
Employee monthly premium:EmployeeEmployee & DependentsFull-time Employees$71.48$178.70Part-time 1 Employees (30-39 hours per week)$178.72$446.77Part-time 2 Employees (20-29 hours per week)$357.43$893.54
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Third Party Administrator -- PacificSource Administrators (PSA)
This is an employer-funded account designed to reimburse employees for IRS-qualified medical expenses. Reimbursements are tax-free, and any unused HRA Comp-A fund amounts at the end of the plan year are transferred to the employee's VEBA account following first full year of employment (see below for VEBA account information). Coinsurance (Med-G) funding remaining at plan year end is forfeited and does not roll to the VEBA.
Employee monthly premium portion:
Employee
Employee & Dependents
Full-time EmployeesHRA (Comp - A)
Coinsurance (Med - G)$2,000
$1,250$4,000
$1,250Part-time 1 Employees (30-39 hours per week)HRA (Comp - A)
Coinsurance (Med - G)$1,500
$937.50$3,000
$1,335.75Part-time 2 Employees (20-29 hours per week)HRA (Comp - A)
Coinsurance (Med - G)$1,000
$625$2,000
$890.50
Employees also have the option to self-fund a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for unreimbursed medical expenses to offset potential out-of-pocket liability under the medical/dental plans and potentially shelter their HRA Comp-A account to allow for larger rollover to their VEBA account at plan year end.
First Stop Health - Telemedicine: The City of Bend provides First Stop Health (FSH) telemedicine benefits for FREE to all medical-enrolled employees and up to seven (7) of their immediate family members.
Dental Plan
Underwritten by MODA
$2,000 calendar year benefit maximum per covered individual includes $1,000 one-time orthodontia benefit.
Full-time employees currently pay 10% of the total composite monthly premium.
Part-time benefit-eligible employee premiums are pro-rated according to their regularly scheduled work hours (50% for employees working 20-29 hours per week; 75% for those working 30-39 hours per week).
Employee composite monthly premium:
Employee with/without Dependents
Full-time Employees$15.40
Part-time 1 Employees (30-39 hours per week)$38.53
Part-time 2 Employees (20-29 hours per week)$77.05
VEBA Plan
Administered by HRA VEBA
Individual employee account that receives tax-free rollover amounts from the City-funded HRA Comp-A account remaining at the end of each plan year. The account belongs to the employee and may be invested in mutual funds similar to deferred compensation. The account can grow, tax free, and be used for future medical expenses and can be used either while still employed or after separation/retirement.
Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
Administered by PacificSource Administrators (PSA)
Participation in the City of Bend's Flexible Spending Plan is voluntary and allows employees to pay for IRS-approved health care-related expenses and dependent care through pre-tax payroll deduction.
Life, Personal Accident (AD&D) & Long-Term Disability Plans
Underwritten by New York Life
Group Basic Term Life Insurance: Benefit-eligible employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for a coverage amount of one times the employees annual salary, to a maximum benefit of $150,000, with a minimum benefit of $50,000. Coverage includes person accident coverage for loss of life and/or limb, per scheduled benefit pa