Economic Development Officer

High Prairie Regional Economic Development Committee is looking for an:

• Position Title:
  
  Economic Development Officer
• Classification:
  Full-Time, Permanent (1.0 FTE)
• Reports To:
  
  High Prairie CAO / Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC)
• Location:
  
  Town of High Prairie, Alberta (with regional travel)
• Posting Date: 2026
• Salary Range: $84,000 – $109,000

The Big Lakes County and Town of High Prairie Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) is a joint initiative of Big Lakes County and the Town of High Prairie, established to advance shared economic development priorities across north-central Alberta. Grounded in the 2026 Regional Strategic Economic Development Plan, the REDC is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to economic resilience, business retention and expansion, workforce attraction, and community renewal.

While this position reports directly to the CAO of High Prairie, it essentially serves both municipalities and the broader region simultaneously, requiring the ability to navigate multiple governance structures, priorities, and stakeholder relationships while maintaining a unified, forward-looking regional perspective.

The Economic Development Officer (EDO) is a senior practitioner responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Regional Strategic Economic Development Plan. Working across Big Lakes County and the Town of High Prairie, the EDO leads business retention and expansion programming, investment readiness initiatives, stakeholder engagement, intergovernmental collaboration, and sector development activities in close coordination with elected officials, CAOs, community partners, and Indigenous communities.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience working in a rural or remote Canadian context, a strong understanding of the unique economic and social dynamics of small and rural communities, and a proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder relationships across more than one jurisdiction simultaneously.

• Design, implement, and maintain a structured regional  &E program engaging existing businesses, major employers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and emerging entrepreneurs.
• Conduct regular business visitation programs and needs assessments in coordination with elected officials from both municipalities.
• Track and respond to business concerns, expansion opportunities, and reinvestment signals within 90 days of identification.
• Compile and maintain a regional economic indicator dashboard tracking employment, business activity, housing, investment, and population trends for reporting to both Councils.

• Lead the development and maintenance of a region-wide industrial and commercial land and building inventory, including servicing capacity, ownership status, and investment readiness profiles.
• Respond to and facilitate inbound investor and developer inquiries across both municipalities, coordinating with planning and municipal administration staff.
• Identify and promote opportunities for adaptive reuse, infill development, and light-touch redevelopment across the region.

• Lead coordinated economic development advocacy efforts on behalf of both municipalities to senior levels of government, including the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada.
• Build and maintain relationships with key partners in both municipalities.
• Represent the region in provincial economic development networks, rural economic development forums, and grant program discussions.

• Support priority…