Community Economic Development Officer

Job Description

Are you passionate about making a difference?

The Port Renfrew Economic Development Task Force is recruiting a full-time, Community Economic Development Officer to work in Port Renfrew. In this administrative role, you will have an opportunity to be a catalyst for change and contribute to promoting a healthy, economically viable, and sustainable community. This is a term position that runs until March 31, 2024. We look forward to its renewal and funding in April 2024 with a funding range of $31.48 - $32.42 per hour, working up to 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday, with occasional work weekends/evenings). Included is a comprehensive benefits package after the successful completion of the probationary period. Join us and experience everything the community offers as you, live, work and play in the beautiful Pacific Coast setting.

About The Group: The Task Force was created in 2020 to lead the development of initiatives targeted through various ongoing third-party funding sources. To date they have implemented a “Port Renfrew Visitor Information Centre” and several key tourism and business development projects. This includes re-assessing the business support needs of the community as a priority. The Task Force is led by representatives of the Pacheedaht First Nations, Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce; Port Renfrew Economic Development Group; WorkLink Employment Society, along with representation from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

About The Position: As part of the Task Force, you will be working in a creative, collaborative, fast-paced, and customer service-oriented environment. As the business development subject-matter-expert, you will provide leadership through broad community involvement which promotes the economic well-being of the community, while understanding that a social/environmentally healthy community is vital. All work performed will be in the spirit, collaboration, and cooperation of the existing MOU’s and TOR’s. The underlying function and role of the manager is tracking all funded initiatives and deliverables while focusing on the following key priorities:

• Primary responsibility for this role is to assist in identifying the needed business, economic and tourism development strategies of the community.
• Secondary responsibility for this role is the development and/or implementation of an overall branding and economic marketing strategy for the community.
• Additional responsibility for this role is ensuring decisions made are reflective of community needs as demonstrated through ongoing community engagement.
• Create publications, support websites, and contribute to social media platforms to promote the community.
• Ensure all development and strategic plans respect the current needs/mandate of all community stakeholders.
• Liaison on tourism/economic development with public officials, the private sector, and the public at large.
• Research, analyze, develop, and implement tourism/business development plans, as directed by the Task Force.
• Train/supervise “Visitor Information Centre” staff and finalize community tourism/marketing models.
• Assist the Executive Director in writing and submitting grant applications.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task, manage tight deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in developing funding/partnership proposals and working with Indigenous Peoples.
• Extensive community consultation experience, including but not limited to:
• Developing/implementing rural engagement/communication strategies
• Establishing branding and awareness campaigns (social media outreach/strategic engagement)
• Knowledge & experience in project management with multiple stakeholders in a rural setting.
• Sound knowledge of web-based and social media marketing for rural-based communities.
• Strong administrative skills; along with excellent people/public relations and communication skills.

Credentials/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration or Tourism.
• Membership in regional/provincial business or tourism associations a definite asset (TVI, TBC, BCEDA, etc.).
• Certification in project management is a definite asset (PMP, Stakeholder Management, etc.).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in tourism/business development; and implementing promotional or marketing activities within the last 5 years. (Equivalent education/tourism/marketing experience will be considered).

We appreciate all applications, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

WorkLink values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. We foster a workplace where individual differences are recognized and respected while utilizing each person’s talents and strengths. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be!

How to Apply

Apply Here!

Please submit your cover letter and resumé on our online application as a PDF attachment. This posting will remain in effect until the closing date, February 16, 2024, at 4:00 pm