Executive Director
The Economic Development Specialist I will serve in the Business Incentives Division, which is responsible for administering grant, loan, and tax incentive programs Mississippi offers to new and expanding businesses. This position will support grant and loan programs. This is a state service position. Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Administer state-supported grant, loan, and bond programs • Coordinate all servicing activities related to financing programs. • Help market financing services provided through state-supported programs. • Understand and apply state statues, rules, regulations, and policies. • Provide technical assistance to businesses, cities, counties, non-profits and other entities applying for funding through Business Incentive programs. • Respond and disseminate program information as requested to businesses, local economic development organizations, and local units of government. • Aid in the incentive application process. • Provide information regarding program policies and procedures. • Develop and maintain an integral knowledge of state incentive programs (i.e. discretionary grant programs and statutory tax incentive programs) and various other assistance programs offered by state and federal government. • Perform basic accounting functions in regard to requests for cash processing and the workflow process associated with program administration. • Assist with other duties and projects as assigned
To be successful a candidate must possess and maintain a valid Mississippi driver’s license, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in a professional and friendly manner, be proficient in Microsoft Office suite, possess a strong work ethic and high degree of initiative, proven ability to make independent decisions, demonstrate strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines, ability to exercise a high degree of confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion, and ability to be flexible and adapt to changes in priorities and demands. • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word. • Strong communication, interpersonal, decision-making, and critical thinking skills. • Possess knowledge of public administration (budgeting, administrative law, and state bid laws) as well as public relations and negotiation skills to facilitate frequent interaction with business executives and others.
Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 0-2 years of experience. Hiring agency preferred qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, public administration, public policy, banking, or related field.
