Community and Economic Development Specialist

Community and Economic Development Specialist Bethlehem, PA Job Details Full-time $54,962 a year 3 days ago Benefits Mileage reimbursement Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Resource allocation Statistics Computer operation Contract management Stakeholder engagement Grant management Program management Constituent services Word processing Computer literacy Writing skills Compliance audits & assessments English Financial management report preparation Research Mid-level Economic development 3 years High school diploma or GED Business development Driver's License Policy & process development Managing budgets in a finance role Project management Driving Financial record maintenance Fundraising Contracts Accounting and finance experience Accounting standards Productivity software Contract management experience (3-5 years) Stakeholder relationship building Organizational budget management Stakeholder management Full Job Description Application deadline is April 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Applicants will not be contacted until after this date. Internal applicants will be considered before external applicants. Application Requirements In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume. Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application. For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at or 610-829-6382. Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law. Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Community & Economic Development Specialist position is responsible for researching, planning, managing, and implementing various activities and programs designed to facilitate strategic allocation of County resources, encourage business growth, and to improve the quality of life for residents through the support and provision of community and economic development services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports directly to the Director of Community & Economic Development, Deputy Director of Community & Economic Development, and/or Community & Economic Development Administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION

Assists in the development, modification, and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and prioritization of same. Assists in the process of acquiring funding and implementing programs in accordance with the goals and requirements of the county and relevant oversight entities. Serves as the primary contact for specific funding resources to support departmental initiatives. Monitors programs administered by the department and affiliated private activity authorities and ensures compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations through both desk audits and field reviews. Assists in the preparation of the annual departmental budget, as well as budgets of the affiliated private activity authorities. Maintains records and prepares reports, correspondence, and grant and financing applications. Maintains financial records and documents including the preparation of contracts and agreements. Monitors fund expenditures which includes the preparation of budget modifications as necessary to ensure appropriate expenditure of County grant awards. Serves as a designee of the County and promotes the goals and priorities of the department through participation at stakeholder meetings. Conducts research and provides analyses and reports to department heads, advisory committees of County Council's Economic Development Committee, and members of the public to assist in formulating funding and policy recommendations. Maintains a positive rapport with members of the public and stakeholders and communicates the goals, policies, and requirements of specific programs in a non-technical manner. Assists the departmental administrators with reviews and updates to relevant policies and program guidelines. An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

- Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; AND At least three (3) years of full-time work experience in public administration, planning, business, or finance with a focus on contract/project management and the processing and/or application of grants.

DRIVER'S LICENSE

- Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business. Employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration including governmental structure and process, budgeting, and program management. Basic knowledge of state and Federal accounting procedures governing participation in governmental fiscal programs. Knowledge of contract management and program administration. Highly effective communications skills both verbally and in writing. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal governments, community groups, and funding agencies. Ability to operate a personal computer and secure information from established data processing, spreadsheet, word processing, database, and graphics programs. Ability to read, interpret and explain complex laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to effectively respond to a variety of constituent concerns including identification of resources or appropriate referrals for concerns not relevant to the resources of the department. Ability to prepare statistical and financial reports. Ability to work with a minimum of supervision. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Telephone, personal computer (including word processing, spreadsheet software, web-based program and conferencing tools), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in different work site locations as required, with most of the time spent in an office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS

FLSA

NON-EXEMPT

(ELIGIBLE

FOR OVERTIME

)

DESIGNATION

CAREER

SERVICE PAY GRADE

CS/GR23

UNION STATUS:

NON-UNION

Updated March 2026

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person