The Economic Development Program Manager plays a critical role in advancing the Port of Pasco’s economic development goals. This position supports and manages a broad range of initiatives aimed at business recruitment, retention, and expansion, grant development and management, property development, and strategic planning. The Program Manager serves as a collaborative team member, working closely with internal departments, regional stakeholders, consultants, and external partners to create and maintain competitive industrial centers and attract top-tier employers.

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary: $80,000-110,000

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, DRS Retirement, PTO

Contract Management and Procurement

• Manage consultant agreements and professional service contracts.
• Develop and issue RFPs and RFQs for economic development and infrastructure projects.
• Monitor procurement processes and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Serve as Port representative on consultant selection committees.

Grant Coordination

• Identify funding opportunities at local, state, and federal levels.
• Support content research, grant writing, application submission, and reporting.
• Administer awarded grants and track compliance and deliverables.
• Increase project funding for Port capital and economic development initiatives.

Business Recruitment and Attraction

• Coordinate site selection, marketing, and lead generation efforts.
• Represent the Port at trade shows and industry events.
• Collaborate with the Director on outreach to prospective businesses in target sectors.
• Assist in development and implementation of strategic marketing materials.

Economic and Market Analytics

• Analyze and maintain data on regional demographics, workforce, market trends, and industry sectors.
• Provide analytical support to business attraction, retention, and expansion strategies.
• Manage and update Port economic impact analysis and projections.

Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)

• Design and implement a BRE program in alignment with strategic priorities.
• Conduct outreach to major employers in Franklin County.
• Document business needs, trends, and support requests.
• Produce quarterly and annual tracking reports.

Development Projects

• Participate in planning and implementation of commercial and industrial developments (e.g., AIM Center, Industrial Symbiosis Park, Connell Industrial Center).
• Support redevelopment and reuse of Port properties including The Wharf, Osprey Pointe North, and the Airport Industrial Park.

Property Transactions

• Assist with land sales, acquisitions, and leasing activities.
• Maintain communication with clients and support high levels of customer service.
• Track timelines and terms of property agreements.
• Support Properties Director with leasing and leasing documents and contracts as needed.

Strategic Planning

• Contribute to short- and long-term economic development strategies.
• Monitor progress and support implementation of the Port’s Strategic Plan.

External Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with cities, counties, utilities, education, and community organizations.
• Maintain strong relationships with external partners to support new development.

Marketing & Communications

• Assist in development of outreach materials: digital, print, brochures, newsletters, etc.
• Help manage websites and social media related to economic development.
• Coordinate production of community-facing marketing and messaging tools.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with Port colleagues on interdepartmental teams.
• Serve in an advisory role to Port leadership on economic opportunities.
• Support implementation of cross-functional projects related to development and infrastructure.
• Other duties as assigned.

• General computer proficiency and skill in Adobe and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to interpret instructions, both written and verbal, and communicate effectively and tactfully with supervisors, co-workers, elected officials, customers and the general public.
• Good memory and attention to detail.
• Ability to function both independently and with others as workflow dictates. Perform all duties and responsibilities in an efficient and satisfactory manner meeting, prioritizing a variety of projects and multiple tasks in effective and timely manner to meet critical time deadlines.
• Responsible and able to receive instruction and feedback.
• Ability to function independently, work well with others, and willingly accept or provide direction and technical guidance as necessary.
• Follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; deal effectively and courteously with Port employees, outside vendors, contractors, tenants, associates and the public.
• Personal grooming, dress code and conduct shall be appropriate as to not reflect in a negative manner.
• Must be able to attend work regularly and punctually at the office or other location(s).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  

• Minimum 5 years of experience in economic development, public sector project management, or related field, required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Public Administration, Business, Planning, or a related field, preferred.
• IEDC certification preferred, or ability to obtain IEDC certification after hire.
• Proven track record of managing grants and contracts.
• Knowledge of commercial/industrial development and business recruitment best practices.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with economic modeling tools or GIS a plus.
• Must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must be a US citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment, this position requires site visits and may require intermittent travel to various locations to perform essential functions of the job description.
• Meet the minimum Motor Vehicle Standards of Port’s auto insurance carrier.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and medical examination.

Environment:

The work is generally performed within an office environment with occasional trips to other Port offices and/or other agency offices for business purposes, which may include inclement weather conditions. Lighting and temperatures are typically adequate, and there are little to no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. May interact with upset public and tenants.

Full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Some travel is required for trade shows, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this job. This employee is regularly required to speak, hear, and see. This position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, lifting, using a step stool, manual dexterity and other normal movements required in the performance of the job. The employee may need to lift and/or move items up to 40 pounds and operate a motor vehicle. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

•   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.
• The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Port of Pasco and the employee and is subject to change by the Port as the needs of the Port and requirements of the position change.

EEOC Notice: The Port prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.