Rural Development Specialist – SE Region

State of Oklahoma

. Serve as the lead Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative in the Southeast service region .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timeOklahoma • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $70,000 - $75,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in economic development, community assistance, and business retention and expansion, with a strong focus on regional partnerships and project management. Proficient in providing technical assistance and resources to support entrepreneurship and workforce initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Economic Development ExpertiseBusiness Retention And Expansion AssistanceProject Management SkillsCommunity Development KnowledgeEffective Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Business AssistanceCommunity AssistanceProject ManagementData Entry SkillsEconomic Development ProgramsState Business IncentivesWorkforce DevelopmentEntrepreneurship SupportLocal Business Visitation ProgramsFinancing Programs Knowledge

Soft Skills

Relationship-Building AbilitiesMotivation SkillsTeam-Building SkillsFlexibilityListening Skills

Tools & Technologies

ODOC CRM Database

Industry Keywords

Community DevelopmentEconomic Development EntitiesSoutheast Region CommunitiesBusiness Attraction ProgramsQuality Jobs ProgramOklahoma Main Street Services

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the lead Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative in the Southeast service region
Coordinate and interface with community and economic development entities, private-sector companies, elected officials, workforce development organizations, statewide partners, service providers, and regional partnerships
Assist companies with business retention and expansion programs and delivery of state business incentives
Identify resources and facilitate regional dialogue on community and economic development issues and goals
Assist in forming regional partnerships
Work with municipalities and other entities to develop local community and economic development projects
Provide information on state business incentives to eligible companies
Deliver comprehensive business retention and expansion assistance and establish community-based BR&E programs
Provide timely activity updates to the Rural Services Director and enter information into the ODOC CRM database
Connect public and private-sector individuals and entities with appropriate resources
Provide technical assistance and resources for regional economic development partnerships
Support entrepreneurship, small business development, and retail initiatives
Assist communities and regional entities in developing business attraction programs
Support workforce initiatives
Assist with community and economic development projects
Deliver success stories to the Marketing Department
Provide presentations and learning opportunities on community and economic development principles and practices
Assist other ODOC divisions with program outreach, including Quality Jobs, Community Development, and Oklahoma Main Street Services
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references
Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably in a related field such as economic development, city planning, public administration, business administration, economics, or finance
Skill set related to economic development, community assistance, business assistance, project management, or public administration
EDI graduates or direct experience in business assistance, finance, business retention and expansion, community development, and economic development preferred
Experience and expertise in all aspects of economic development
Familiarity with Southeast region communities and economic development entities
Sound working knowledge of community and economic development programs and practices
Working knowledge of state and federal development and financing programs, including state incentives
Experience and skills in executing local/regional business retention and expansion assistance, including developing regional and local business visitation programs
Applied knowledge and expertise in workforce, entrepreneurship, and community and economic development
Effective communication, motivation, and relationship-building abilities
Flexibility, listening, cooperative, facilitative, and team-building skills
High degree of computer literacy and data-entry skills
Strong written and oral presentation skills
Availability to work extended hours and travel throughout the Southeast region and State of Oklahoma
Ability to support trips and conferences outside Oklahoma requiring overnight stays of several days
Must live in the Southeast service region

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive benefits package
Generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and eligible dependents