Economic Development Specialist

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Economic Development Specialist supports Joliet’s economic growth by helping to attract and retain businesses, marketing the city’s assets, and guiding development projects. This role requires strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills, with an emphasis on collaboration, research, and customer service.

• Assist with business retention, attraction, expansion, and marketing strategies.
• Manage and update site selection databases to track available land and commercial properties.
• Prepare customized site selection packages for businesses looking to expand or come to Joliet.
• Promote and assist with economic incentive programs, including financial evaluations.
• Support redevelopment projects by helping draft agreements and participating in confidential negotiations.
• Identify and pursue redevelopment opportunities, especially within TIF Districts, the Core Area SSA, the Enterprise Zone, and other areas with special financial incentive designations.
• Assist with content creation for the City’s economic development social media platforms and newsletter.
• Research and maintain data on demographics, labor trends, and other indicators to update Joliet’s economic profile, monthly and quarterly reports, and pitch decks.
• Guide prospective businesses through city permitting and licensing processes to help streamline project development.
• Collaborate with regional and state economic development partners to move projects and initiatives forward.
• Represent the City at networking events and professional conferences.
• Stay informed on current trends and best practices in economic development.
• Attend the Land Use & Economic Development Committee and City Council meetings as needed.
• Perform additional tasks to support the City’s economic development initiatives.

• Understanding of real estate, economics, finance, land use, and development processes.
• Familiarity with tax increment financing (TIF) and other economic incentive tools.
• Ability to build strong, trustworthy relationships with businesses, developers, brokers, property owners, internal staff, and other stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Skilled in preparing clear presentations, reports, and data-driven analyses.
• Comfortable and competent in interacting with executive management, elected officials, and other positions of authority.
• Experience with marketing and social media strategies for economic development.
• Capable of using databases for site selection and market research.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a creative, solution-oriented mindset.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Effective communicator—both written and verbal—with persuasive presentation skills.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, professionalism, and high ethical standards in all work.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, economics, business, public administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred but not required.
• 2–3 years of experience in economic development, municipal government, real estate, or related areas.
• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• CEcD or AICP certification preferred but not required.
• Spanish language skills preferred but not required.

• Must possess or obtain a valid State of Illinois motor vehicle operator’s license.

Personal computer including office suite, design and publishing applications, iPad, smart phone, calculator, telephone, and any other tools of the trade that may come into common use or be necessary to perform need tasks.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee…