Job Title: Occupational Intern – Community and Economic Development
Closing Date/Time: Tue. 12/29/15 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $11.47 – $14.70 Hourly
Job Type: Non-Classified
Location: Tacoma, Washington
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Position Description  Benefits  Supplemental Questions
One of the primary goals of the City of Tacoma Equity and Empowerment Initiatives is that the City of Tacoma provide accommodations for people with disabilities in hiring, promotion, retention, and contracting. Our Vision is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play. We welcome candidates with workforce reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and diverse and/or multicultural skill sets and personal experiences.

The City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Services Division is seeking to hire a part-time intern to provide support to the Project Manager in the area of Downtown Office Recruitment. Under staff supervision and training, the incumbent in this position will conduct extensive research and analysis about private sector companies that may consider opening downtown office locations in Tacoma prepare written and verbal marketing statements for companies and support the Director and Project Manager by contacting company executives by telephone, letter and email to secure appointments. The efforts will be conducted from an office location at the Tacoma Municipal Building.

This position offers the selected candidate hands on experience in the fundamentals of economic development recruitment and company site selection practices along with the opportunity to provide valuable support to job creation activities for the City. The position will also assist in marketing efforts in preparing brochures and packets to be sent to business prospects.

Educational Benefits:
Educational benefits to be derived by students in this job include:
Business analysis, marketing and sales: Strategies for analyzing private sector companies, organizing such information and reporting to City management and executive leadership, preparing and developing tailored information into “elevator speeches” and other concise, persuasive means of attracting private sector executives to consider a business location in Tacoma, contacting private sector executives and winning an audience for the Director.

Hours and Terms of the Position: Up to 1000 hours
The hours for this position will be 12- 20 hours per week for 12 months including in office duties during university holidays. The exact schedule will be negotiated with the selected candidate, but will be within the timeframe of Monday- Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Location and Physical Requirements of Position:
This position requires being able to work at a desk in an office environment and conduct research by computer and telephone. This position requires periods of sitting, standing and phone and computer work and the ability to lift at least 20 pounds.
 Qualifications:
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

Must be enrolled in a four-year college or graduate program at an accredited university. Preferred degree programs should be related to business, economic development or urban studies.
 Knowledge & Skills:
  • Knowledge of research methodology
  • Modern Office practices, procedures and equipment
  • Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary
  • Proper telephone techniques and etiquette
  • Operation of a personal computer
  • Standard computer software (Word, Excel, and Power Point)
  • Analytical skills, i.e., able to discern and represent trends and facts from data and information statements in corporate reports
  • Understand and work within the scope of authority
  • Experience with meeting facilitation and event coordination
  • Effective problem solving skills
  • Self-motivation and ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Ability to plan, organize, and implement programs and to write clear, complete, and logical reports and proposals.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, governmental officials, representatives of private agencies, and the community
  • Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience
  • Ability to effectively collaborate and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Must maintain a professional appearance and demeanor
 Selection Process & Supplemental Information:
All interested individuals must attach a resume that includes past work experience, a brief cover letter stating why you want to participate in this internship. Please include three professional references, which may include references from Educational professionals.

Applicants who have the strongest backgrounds related to the responsibilities of this position may be invited to participate in the interview process. Appointment is subject to passing a background check.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend a minimum of one hour entering the required information.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

For any questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at 253.591.5400.