Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS)

Job Opening

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE:  March 21, 2025

JOB TITLE:                         Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS), SG-23, PEF   LOCATION: Albany                                     

APPOINTMENT TYPE:        Permanent                                                                                                  JURISDICTION CLASS:   Competitive

DEPARTMENT:                    Environmental Services 

                                             625 Broadway

                                             Albany, NY 12207

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the general direction of the Environmental Services Unit (ESU) Director, the incumbent of this position will manage the administration of economic development incentives from beginning (application or RFP deployment) to end (funding closeout) for projects undertaken by businesses and organizations such as municipalities, not-for-profits, and local economic development organizations.  The incumbent will assist the ESU Director and staff with the management of ESU programs, including, but not limited to, the Business Food Waste Mitigation Program, the Waste Tire Program, and the Lake Ontario Business Resiliency Program.

WORK PERFORMED:

• Manage an extensive portfolio of active projects, including: application review; management of funding process; compilation and review of data; preparation of various administrative documents, reports, presentations, budget materials, CEO and/or Empire State Development (ESD) Board Approval documents and contract agreements; and participation in off-site meetings.
• Review requests for disbursement, perform desk audits, and oversee grant disbursements.
• Coordinate with internal resources in the preparation of Board materials, contracts, project status reports, and other documents appropriate for the review/management of projects.
• Assume a variety of department-wide responsibilities as assigned, such as writing briefing memos, preparing complex spreadsheets, preparing incentive proposals and grant disbursement agreements, reviewing and improving processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and managing data and budget information.
• Following award announcements, work with winning applicants to prepare project documents; enter and update data on web-based project tracking database; keep ESD staff apprised of project status.
• Remain current on ESD programs and initiatives, as well as those of sister agencies with whom we interact regularly (e.g. Departments of State and Environmental Conservation) and those of stakeholder partners (e.g. Industrial Development Authorities, Economic Development Organizations, etc.).
• Ensure that project information is accurate in the web-based project tracking database (MS Dynamics) and the Database of Economic Incentives.
• Respond to inquiries, address concerns, and explain ESD programs and services to companies, organizations, and regional stakeholders. Communicate with applicants and their representatives via telephone, email, and paper correspondence.
• Assist with program development and management and serve on committees and special task forces as required.
• Other projects as assigned by ESU Director, if applicable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required. However, all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. 

At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Minimum Appointment Qualifications:

A bachelor's and three years of experience applying business knowledge, training and experience to provide a wide range of professional and management level economic development services for the promotion of business, tourism and international trade in New York State, providing technical advice and problem-solving assistance to economic development organizations and businesses by conducting business-to-business marketing programs, and promoting, publicizing, and developing strategic plans and initiatives related to business and economic development services.

Substitutions:

a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.

List Eligibility: Open to those reachable on the Economic Development Program Specialist 2 eligible list.

Transfer Eligibility: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive service in a title eligible for transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Information regarding transfer eligibility may be available on the Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/. 
 
 (Important Note: Per Civil Service Law, an employee cannot have two, consecutive upward 70.1 or 52.6 transfers without an intervening eligible list appointment if such transfers would exceed two salary grades.)

Reinstatement Eligibility: Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project management experience preferred.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically in Excel. 
• Excellent customer service, organizational, and attention to detail skills are essential.

SALARY RANGE: $84,156 - $106,454 

Note: The starting salary for candidates with no prior State service will be at the minimum hiring rate.

ADDITIONAL:   

If interested in this position, please forward a cover letter and resume to the e-mail address below by March 21, 2025. Be sure to indicate the position title and location you are applying for and specify how you meet the minimum qualifications in your cover letter.

INQUIRE

NYS Department of Economic Development

Human Resources Office

625 Broadway

Albany, NY   12245

Fax: (518) 292-5852

E-Mail: DED-HR@esd.ny.gov

New York State is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.   Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.

2/21/2025

Reference No. 01956

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation.  If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 473-3130 or via email at response@oer.ny.gov.