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Osceola County, FL

Business Retention and Expansion Specialist

Osceola County, FL, Kissimmee

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Salary: $69,680.00 Annually
Location : Kissimmee, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 02557
Department: Economic Development
Division: Economic Development
Opening Date: 06/02/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
General Description of Duties
** Position subject to close at any time**
NOTE TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS: INTERNAL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION AND/OR PAY GRADE AS THE POSITION POSTED WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT IF SELECTED.
This is a professional economic development position responsible for supporting and retaining existing businesses in Osceola County; the role involves building relationships with local businesses, addressing their needs, and identifying opportunities for growth and expansion. Work requires independent judgment and the ability to work alone or as a member of a team. Tact and diplomacy are essential as the employee will have considerable contact with County Administration, Board of County Commissioners, employees, Business Community, partners, and citizens.
Essential Job Functions
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
  • Conducts outreach and maintains regular contact with local businesses.
  • Identifies challenges and opportunities through surveys, meetings, and site visits.
  • Coordinates resources and services to support business growth and job creation.
  • Collaborates with workforce, education, and industry partners to address workforce needs.
  • Develops and implements programs to support business retention and expansion.
  • Tracks and reports on engagement metrics and economic impact.
  • Conducts regular outreach and listening sessions with local businesses.
  • Identifies barriers to business success and works to resolve them (e.g., permitting, incentives, land acquisition, access to resources).
  • Develops and promotes business-friendly policies and initiatives.
  • Tracks and analyzes local business trends to inform strategic actions.
  • Performs duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical assignment to the position.
  • Emergency Management Responsibilities: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situations, and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Urban Planning, Community or Economic Development, or a closely related field.
Experience: Two (2) years of experience in economic development at the local, state, and/or regional level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined below.
Miscellaneous: Must possess and maintain a valid FL Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of modern economic development principles and practices.
  • Knowledge of commercial, tourist, and entrepreneurial development.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of business location, public relations, and marketing.
  • Knowledge of Community Development principles relates to economic development, such as land use and zoning.
  • Knowledge of county and state tax structures as they apply to commercial and industrial activity.
  • Knowledge of incentive programs to retain existing business and attract new ones.
  • Knowledge of relevant Federal, State, and Local regulations relative to the operations of specific projects and programs.
  • Strong analytical, research, communication, presentation, organization, and time-management skills.
  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and in the use of census data.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to include the ability to work with varying personalities.
  • Strong project management, leadership, negotiating, and consensus building skills.
  • Ability to articulate a clear vision for economic development in the county.
  • Ability to work directly with business owners, media, developers, planners, engineers, architects, attorneys, and public officials to implement economic development goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and carry out complex research projects effectively and simultaneously, and to present the results of research effectively in clear oral, written, and graphic form.
  • Ability to act as a representative of Osceola County Government to the public.
PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Demand: Light
  • 20 pounds maximum lifting.
  • Rare lifting, carrying up to 10 lbs.
  • If less lifting is involved, it will require significant walking/standing.
  • If mostly sitting is involved, it will require push/pull on arm or leg controls.
  • Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
  • Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
  • Physical agility is required in kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.
  • Required to have clear vision at distances of 20 inches or less.
Employee Benefits
Welcome to a workplace that values you. Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit your needs and the needs of your family.
Join us in making a difference in our community, knowing we're here to support you every step of the way.
Group Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost to the employee. In addition, the County contributes 83.5% to the dependent(s) premium coverage.
Deductions Per Paycheck - HRA Base Plan
Coverage
Employee
Employee + 1
Family
Health-HRA Base
$0.00
$118.34
$184.08
HRA Buy-Up
$35.14
$159.17
$247.60
Dental Base
$0.00
$12.47
$22.96
Dental Buy-Up
$3.28
$18.86
$31.99
Vision
$3.42
$6.84
$9.15
Short-Term Disability
$0.00
N/A
N/A
Long-Term Disability
$0.00
N/A
N/A
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
At no cost to the employee. The County offers Short-Term and Long-Term Disability at 60% of the employee's weekly base salary. The employee has the option to purchase an additional 10% coverage.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family members at no cost.
Employee Wellness Program
Employee Wellness Program promotes a variety of activities to encourage total well-being including physical, emotional, and financial health. Rewards can be earned.
Gym Membership Reimbursement
Gym Membership Reimbursement, up to $20.00 per month.
Basic Life Insurance Policy
At no cost to the employee, equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next thousand dollars. Employees can opt to buy additional Life Insurance.
Employee Health Center
The County provides a private health center for County Employees and eligible dependents. The Employee Health Center offers an array of primary care services, including sick visits, enhanced by x-ray services, pulmonary tests, lab work, and a dispensary offering over 200 generic medications onsite. Services at the Health Center are offered at no cost to the employees and their eligible dependents.
Employees who are enrolled on the County's Medical plan have access to the Employee Health Center on day one of employment. The Health Center is available to patients 8 years of age and older.
Vacation & Sick Leave Accruals
Service Time
Accruals Per Month
1 month - 5 years
8 hours
5 years and 1 month - 10 years
10 hours
10 years and 1 month - 15 years
12 hours
15 years and 1 month - 20 years
13.34 hours
20 years and over
16.66 hours
S ick Leave Accruals
Classification
Accruals Per Month
Full time employees
8 hours
Part time employees
4 hours
Paid Holidays
Paid Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday (to be chosen by the Employee)
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Thanksgiving - Day After
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

Administrative Leave
40 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year for Exempt employees.
Sick Leave Bank
Available to employees experiencing a catastrophic medical related event, with up to 240 hours per fiscal year. Enrollment required.
Vacation/Sick Leave Buy-Back Program
Eligible employees may sell back up to eighty (80) hours of accrued leave per fiscal year. (This program is subject to availability of funds and may be amended or terminated at any time without notice.)
Paid Bereavement Leave
Up to five (5) working days off.
Tuition Reimbursement
Up to $1,600 per Fiscal Year, for degree seeking employees. Degree must be related to employee's current position.
Membership in the Florida Retirement System
The County is a Florida Retirement System Employer! For Fiscal Year 2025, County contribution for Regular Class members is 13.63%, subject to a mandatory 3% employee contribution. Rates and Contributions are set by Florida Legislation.
A 457b Deferred Compensation Program
A 457b Deferred Compensation Program is also available to help employees boost their retirement saving goals, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as IRA plan options. Employee sponsored.
Employee Recognition Program
We see your hard work, and we celebrate it! Through our Employee Appreciation Committee and the "You've Been Caught Doing Good" program, we recognize outstanding performance or accomplishments with prizes including monetary rewards and merchandise.
01
Are you a U.S. Military Veteran?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Are you electing to claim Veteran's Preference? (If electing to claim Veteran's Preference, be sure to complete the Veteran's Preference Eligibility Form located on the home page of NeoGov.)
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Urban Planning, Community or Economic development, or a closely related field? If so, please list your major. (Education must be demonstrated in the "Education" section of the application.) If no, list N/A.)
04
Briefly list and explain your experience developing and implementing programs to support business retention and expansion.. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.) If none, list N/A.
05
Briefly list the number of years and explain your professional level of experience in economic development at the local, state, or regional level. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.) If none, list N/A.
06
Do you possess a valid Driver's License? If yes, what state?
Required Question