Rural Development Specialist; SE Region

Rural Development Specialist (SE Region)# State of Oklahoma Careers## Rural Development Specialist (SE Region)
Apply:
Atoka County:
Pittsburg County:
Pontotoc County:
Coal County:
Haskell County:
Full time:
Posted Today:
End Date:
November 27, 2026 (30+ days left to apply):
JR66964
** Job Posting Title
** Rural Development Specialist (SE Region)
** Agency
* * 160 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
** Supervisory Organization
** Department of Commerce
** Job Posting End Date
** Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note:

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
** Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
**** Full/Part-Time
** Full time
** Job Type
** Regular
* * Compensation
* * Compensation: $70,000 - $75,000
** Job Description
** The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is the State economic development office.  Our mission is to cultivate an environment where businesses and communities can grow and thrive.  We are a trusted government agency that partners with businesses and communities for strategic and sustainable growth and success, moving Oklahoma forward to becoming a top-ten state.  The Oklahoma Department of Commerce seeks to fill a Rural Development Specialist (RDS) – Southeast Region position.

This position is a full-time position in the state government. Oklahoma Department of Commerce offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents. For more information about the benefit allowance, visit the Oklahoma State Benefits Overview. The annual salary for this position is up to $75,000 based on education and experience.
** Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references.**#
** Basic Purpose
** The Southeast (SE) Regional Development Specialist (RDS) serves as the lead representative of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) in the 11-county SE service region, which includes
*** Atoka County, Bryan County, Choctaw County, Coal County, Haskell County, Hughes County, Latimer County, LeFlore County, McCurtain County, McIntosh County, Pittsburg County, Pontotoc County, and Pushmataha County***.As a member of the ODOC Regional Development Team, the SE RDS is responsible for coordinating with and interfacing with local and regional community and economic development entities, private-sector companies, local elected officials, workforce development, statewide partners/service providers, and regional partnerships in the Southeast region.

In conjunction with local economic development entities, the Commerce representative directly assists companies through business retention and expansion (BR&E) program and delivery of state business incentives.  In addition, the SE RDS identifies resources, facilitates regional dialogue on community and economic development issues/goals, assists in forming regional partnerships, and works with municipalities (and others) to develop local community and economic development projects.  

The successful candidate will be familiar with the Southeast region's communities and economic development entities, have a sound working knowledge of the community and economic development programs and practices, and
*** live in the Southeast service region***. Candidates must possess experience and expertise in all aspects of economic development, maintain a high degree of professionalism and personal initiative, and be capable of functioning independently.
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** Typical Functions
*** Work with private sector businesses to provide information on state business incentives to eligible companies.
* Work directly with businesses and communities regarding delivering comprehensive business retention and expansion assistance and establishing community-based  &E programs, providing appropriate tools and resources to enhance their overall development needs.
* Provide timely updates of activities to the Rural Services Director and input into the ODOC Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database.
* Connect public and private sector individuals and entities with appropriate resources designed to fit their needs.
* Provide technical assistance and resources to develop and support regional economic development partnerships.
* Provide resources and expertise to communities and regional entities to assist them in developing comprehensive local entrepreneurship programs and small business development,…