Economic Development Research Specialist

Pay Range: $59,984 to $77,979 annual compensation

Job Posting Closing on: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm; Some evening/weekend work required. Hybrid Work Schedule

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability. 🌆

An Economic Development Research Specialist job is available with the City of Fort Worth in the Economic Development Department. The Economic Development Department pursues high-wage job growth and a more sustainable tax base, driven less by residential property valuation and more by commercial and industrial investment; and has a commitment to “quality of place” throughout the community.  We want to be recognized as a leader in economic and business development, as well as urban revitalization, by our peers and customers.  The vision of the department is “To compete successfully on the national and international stage for creative, high-growth businesses and the talented individuals who fuel them.” 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Planning, GIS (Graphic Information Systems), Urban and Regional Studies, Economic Development, Data Science or Statistics, Geography (with a focus on Economic or Urban Geography), Data Analytics, or related field.
• Two (2) years of research and/or GIS experience.
• Two (2) years of experience using financial/statistical/comparative analysis techniques and formulae.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GIS and data/research software programs (Placer.ai, Google Earth, Esri, CoStar, Lightcast, etc.)
• Possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with all levels within the organization and with customers.
• Experience with PID (Public Improvement District) and TIF (Tax Increment Financing District) Analyses
• Experience with data visualization and storytelling

The Economic Development Research Specialist job responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain knowledge/data on Fort Worth’s economy through primary and secondary research, including knowledge of Fort Worth-based companies’ products, markets, and supply chains;
• Manage research program to provide colleagues and department leadership with information to support growth in target industries and investment in our Revitalization Target Areas and support those efforts with customized reports supporting growth opportunities in Fort Worth (i.e. market research, competitive intelligence, workforce information, business costs, and other customized research) working with our Marketing Coordinator to prepare targeted collateral;
• Conduct database research to supply colleagues and leadership with regular timely, relevant, and actionable information for clients and projects, including quarterly and annual reports;
• Utilize GIS, ArcGIS Community Analyst, Esri, EMSI, CoStar, Placer.ai, Federal and State data sources and other data-driven information to support Fort Worth’s investment decisions and strategies, as well as the department’s development, revitalization, entrepreneurship, and small business efforts;
• Provide research and leadership to the Department’s KPI’s, Strategic Plan, and other benchmarking sources/reports;
• Prepare PID and TIF analyses and market research.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest data and research tools to help the department be competitive and as accurate as possible in its reporting.
• Update and prepare data visualization items such as maps, charts, graphs, etc. for report and marketing collateral.

Working Conditions and Physical Demand

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking and repetitive motions.

Light Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly having to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for the Sedentary Work category and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Apply Now! Come be part of something special in Fort Worth. 🌟