Toursim Development Specialist

State of Idaho Career Opportunity

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

About the Agency:

As the lead economic development and marketing agency for the State of Idaho, the mission of the Idaho Department of Commerce is to foster a business-friendly environment to aid in quality job creation, support existing companies, strengthen communities, promote innovation, and market Idaho domestically and internationally.

Summary:

The travel and tourism industry is the third largest in Idaho, contributing to more than 55,360 jobs statewide. Visitors to Idaho spend more than $5.8 billion annually, generating $438.6 million in direct travel-related tax revenue. Tourism serves as an economic, social, and cultural driver for professional, recreational, and personal purposes.

Visit Idaho, the agency’s tourism development team, takes the lead in showcasing ways people can enjoy the Gem State through advertising, public relations, social networking, maintaining extensive information on our main tourism website, visitidaho.org, and more.

The Visit Idaho Tourism Specialist plays an integral role in promoting Idaho as a premier travel destination. Working collaboratively with fellow Tourism Specialists, Visit Idaho leadership, and the program’s agencies of record, this position helps develop, coordinate, and execute innovative marketing initiatives that inspire and motivate travel to the state. Success in this role requires initiative, excellent organizational and project management skills, strong communication, a team-oriented approach to managing projects, solving problems, and advancing Visit Idaho’s mission to strengthen Idaho’s tourism economy and communities.

To learn more about Visit Idaho, please visit www.visitidaho.org. To learn more about the Idaho Department of Commerce please visit our website at: www.commerce.idaho.gov.

Responsibilities:

• Target segments of travel and tourism industry to market locations and destinations in Idaho.

• Plan and monitor the results of promotional strategies.

• Collaborate with contracted agency partners to develop and execute marketing campaigns, create and edit editorial content, and create programs promoting Idaho as a vacation destination.

• Manage various platforms including but not limited to WordPress, Iconik (digital asset management), and Asana.

• Research and provide tourism market information to industry representatives. Assist in the formulation of marketing plans for businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and/or Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs).

• Provide economic data and marketing advice to new businesses or those wishing to promote an existing business.

• Develop and set priorities for the distribution of promotional materials (including but not limited to Visit Idaho Official Travel Guide, Scenic Byways Brochure, Children’s Brochure.

• Host various events promoting Idaho's potential as tourism development resource both in and out of state.

• Speak to Chambers of Commerce, DMOs, college classes, civic organizations and other groups concerning tourism marketing, Visit Idaho, and other Idaho Commerce activities.

• Receive inquiries from various groups, and independently respond to inquiries which may require research, analysis, and problem-solving.

• Build and maintain a strong network of local, state, federal and international contacts in government, business, and industry to successfully market Idaho as a tourism destination.

• Research and analyze customer demographic profiles.

• Oversee and monitor budgets and operations of cooperative, multi-agency, or multi-state projects or organizations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Good knowledge of:

• Marketing principles (sales, public relations) including social media, advertising and research methods. Typically, this requires at least nine (9) upper-division college credits in marketing or closely related field; OR at least one year of professional experience in the tourism industry where a major job duty requires destination marketing and promotion.

• Public relations practices. This is typically gained by a degree in marketing OR at least one year of experience working in a public relations, communications or closely related field.

Experience:

• Working as a professional marketing or promoting travel in the tourism industry. This is typically gained by at least one year of experience in a professional role in marketing or promoting a tourist or recreational activity.

• Preparing and making oral presentations to community or business groups or similar audiences. Typically gained by at least one year of experience in a professional marketing or public relations role with exposure to technical projects, marketing/advertising/PR campaigns or regular public speaking engagements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in the travel and tourism industry with focus on destination marketing and promotion.

• Degree in marketing, communications, journalism or closely related fields.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• One of the top 5 retirement systems in the Nation (PERSI) that offers a defined lifetime benefit at retirement

• 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits that become effective first of the month following your hire date. All contributions can be pre-tax

• 11 paid holidays

• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)

• Paid parental leave

• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children

• Additional perks and discounts available through medical provider

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility

• Employee Assistance Program

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected] . (If you have a contact for applicant accommodations at your agency, please replace the contact information).

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.