Community and Economic Development Specialist

Salary : $54,962.00 AnnuallyLocation : Bethlehem, PAJob Type: Full timeJob Number: 2026-00117EDepartment: Community and Economic DevelopmentDivision: Community and Economic DevelopmentOpening Date: 04/10/2026Closing Date: 4/23/2026 5:00 PM EasternApplication RequirementsIn 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 schristman@norcopa.gov 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 DescriptionGENERAL PURPOSEThe 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 RECEIVEDThis position reports directly to the Director of Community & Economic Development, Deputy Director of Community & Economic Development, and/or Community & Economic Development Administrator.SUPERVISION EXERCISEDThis position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITIONAssists 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 QUALIFICATIONSEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; ANDAt 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 ABILITIESKnowledge 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 EQUIPMENTTelephone, personal computer (including word processing, spreadsheet software, web-based program and conferencing tools), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder. PHYSICAL DEMANDSWhile 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 ENVIRONMENTThe 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 GUIDELINESFormal 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 SERVICEPAY GRADE: CS/GR23UNION STATUS: NON-UNIONUpdated March 2026Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefitswhich includes the following:Medical InsuranceVision and PrescriptionDentalLife InsuranceRetirementI. Medical InsuranceCoverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouse's employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.II. Vision and PrescriptionCoverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employee's choice of doctor and frame selection.III. Dental CoverageCoverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.IV. Life InsuranceA life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.V. RetirementAll full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan (457(b)) which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.01 Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application? YesNo02 Current Northampton County employees MUST detail ALL County work experience on their application. Failure to include correct work history and employment dates will result in the rejection of your application. If you need assistance with this information, please reach out to the Human Resources department for assistance BEFORE submitting your application. Please select "yes" to confirm your understanding of this requirement. If you are not a current County employee, please select "no". YesNo03 Do you possess a valid and current driver's license with an acceptable driving record? YesNo04 Do you have 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? If yes, your Work History section must reflect this experience to quality. YesNo05 Please describe any specialized training and/or experience you have in project management. 06 Please describe your work experience involving processing and/or application of grants. Required Question