Community and Economic Development Specialist

Community and Economic Development Specialist

Location

700 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

27-10973

Department

Planning And Budget

Opening Date

10/20/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits

Job Summary

This position is primarily responsible for the compliance review, documentation, and records management of the County's Economic Development Agreements and related programs. The incumbent will meticulously review each agreement to identify and monitor applicable compliance requirements, deadlines, performance obligations, reporting requirements, and other contractual terms. The position will review information and supporting documentation submitted by participating companies to demonstrate compliance, evaluate the information for completeness and consistency with agreement requirements, document compliance determinations, and follow up on deficiencies or missing information as necessary. The incumbent will create, organize, maintain, and regularly update accurate, complete, and audit-ready records supporting compliance activities, including maintaining appropriate documentation of reviews, findings, correspondence, and supporting materials. The position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage confidential and complex records while ensuring consistency, accuracy, and adherence to established policies and procedures.

Under general direction, the position also assists with implementation and administration of the County's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), including monitoring compliance with the Chapter 381 Property Tax Rebate Program and assisting with the revision and periodic review of related policies to ensure alignment with the CEDS. The incumbent may prepare applications, administer, and monitor compliance with grant programs related to CEDS initiatives; assist with the design and expansion of County community and economic development and business activities; conduct research and advanced review and analysis of projects and programs; and support department community engagement efforts.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This job classification falls within the Professional Support job family. This classification requires minimal supervision, exercises independent judgment and initiative, and requires managing complex projects while simultaneously monitoring compliance on multiple levels. It is distinguished by the responsibility for oversight and maintenance of compliance issues for a department in conformity with Federal, State and Local statutes, policies, procedures, and industry standards. This classification may require a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the drafting, review and revision of policies relating to the Chapter 381 program and other community and economic development programs under development.
• Responsible for grant applications related to federal, state and local programs.
• Performs compliance and administration connected to community and economic development and grant programs.
• Researches new grants and programs that could benefit Travis County residents and provides recommendations.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on assigned community and economic development projects.
• Prepares and presents reports for the Commissioners Court on compliance, grants and community and economic development initiatives.
• Interfaces with the public, stakeholder groups, micro to large businesses, elected and appointed officials, and peer departments in other jurisdictions on community and economic development policies and projects.
• Attends conferences, Chamber of Commerce and school district meetings and events, and other meetings and events as assigned to remain abreast of changes to policy and rules and economic trends that may impact Travis Countys community and economic development work.
• Performs compliance audits of Chapter 381 agreements to ensure compliance with agreement requirements. This includes working closely with the City of Austins Economic Development Division compliance staff on similar agreements, the Purchasing Office Contract Compliance Division, the County Attorneys Office, the Auditors Office, and the Budget Office.
• Works collaboratively with County departments on aligned projects.
• Prepares reports to management and Commissioners Court on compliance as well as letters to the companies with whom the county has agreements.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Public Affairs/Administration, Social Science, or related field AND three (3) years increasingly responsible experience with community and economic development, compliance monitoring, related grants programs, and other related activities.

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Drivers License

Preferred:

Experience in Economic Development at the local or state level

Three (3) years of compliance review experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Community and economic development programs at Federal, State and local levels.
• Local government codes authorizing community and economic development programs for Texas counties.
• Grant writing (including grant budget development), application processes, monitoring and compliance.
• Sources of information, current literature and recent developments related to the jobs duties.
• Administrative and related business principles.
• Community engagement principles.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical packages, project scheduling and management, presentation/graphics and related software applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Program review and monitoring.
• Strategic, innovative problem solving.
• Research, data collection and insightful analysis for potential programs or projects.
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
• Analyzing and evaluating data, policies and technical issues.
• Financial analysis and evaluation of business pro formas.
• Budget development, analysis, and tracking.
• Leadership, collaboration and negotiation techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Excellent community engagement skills.

Ability to:

• Coordinate, plan, and prioritize programs, projects and activities.
• Research and recommend projects and programs.
• Apply knowledge to policy and process analysis.
• Reach sound conclusions and make recommendations.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Interpret and explain planning and program objectives to staff, elected and appointed officials, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Compile data and write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departments, representatives of outside agencies, industry groups, contractors, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-20 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, occasional indoor/outdoor activities, repetitive motion, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Some driving may be required for site visits, inspections, and/or community events.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Department: Planning And Budget

Location: 700 Lavaca Suite 1560, Austin TX 78701

Drug Test, Alcohol Test, and Typing Test Required.

Criminal Background Checks Required.

For questions about this position, contact: Amy.Mcwhorter@traviscountytx.gov

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2027 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employees fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January - March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers Compensation

The county provides all employees workers compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

Employer Travis County

Address 700 Lavaca Street

Austin, Texas, 78701

Website https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs