Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS)

NY HELP Yes Agency Empire State Development, NYS Title Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS) Occupational Category Other Professional Careers Salary Grade 23 Bargaining Unit PS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF) Salary Range From $86681 to $109650 Annually Employment Type Full-Time Appointment Type Permanent Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class Travel Percentage 30% Workweek Mon-Fri Hours Per Week 37.5 Workday From 9 AM To 5 PM Flextime allowed? No Mandatory overtime? No Compressed workweek allowed? No Telecommuting allowed? No County Albany Street Address 625 Broadway City Albany State NY Zip Code 12245 Duties Description Under the general direction of the Minority and Womenu2019s Business Development (MWBD) Director for Business Development, the incumbent will act as the primary liaison to assigned regional areas and agencies/authorities and will serve as program manager for certain business development programs.The incumbent promotes growth and opportunity for MWBE firms through education and outreach to agencies and prime contractors throughout New York State. Such activities will include but not be limited to: finding and disseminating information on contracting opportunities; providing information and training regarding tools for launching/expanding a business; technical support; marketing access to capital programs; and participating in and/or developing local/regional events and workshops. The incumbent will keep Division management apprised - on a timely basis - of significant issues, trends, or developments, with supported written findings and recommendations.Duties include but are not limited to:u2022 Identifies business opportunities in contracting and capital programs for MWBEs, and counsels MWBEs on contract access strategies including but not limited to creating/improving capability statements, bidding, RFP proposals and access to capital resources. u2022 Monitors assigned New York State agency/authority procurements, Request for Proposals (u201cRFPsu201d) and contracting opportunities in the New York State Contract Systems (u201cNYSCSu201d), and via partnership meetings and general research for MWBE matchmaking.u2022 Provides support to agencies/authorities in identifying viable MWBEs for their opportunities. Support activities include but is not limited to assisting with the NYS Directory of Certified Firms, pulling MWBE data based on parameters including business location and NAICs codes, promoting agency/authority procurement events and meeting with agencies to develop business development strategies.u2022 Track certified firms for prime and subcontracting opportunities based on the parameters provided by agency/authority or Prime Contractors.u2022 Develop/maintain relationships with agencies/authorities and prime contractors to create pathways for MWBE supply chain networks and their access to contract opportunities. u2022 Develops and provides training and technical assistance workshops and resource materials to agencies/authorities, municipalities and businesses in identifying and accessing MWBE contracting opportunities, access to capital, marketing to government agencies and general business strategies. u2022 Serves in a program management role for Division programs including the Business Growth Accelerator Program. This role includes but is not limited to leading weekly check-in meetings with Incubator leads, reviewing programmatic reports, providing oversight on program delivery and reporting progress to management. u2022 Works with agencies/authorities, MWBEs, and external stakeholders to promote and encourage full engagement in programs authorized under Article 15-A (such as MWBD-related procurement practices and reporting protocols), as well as policies and practices relating to new initiatives.u2022 Creates evaluation metrics, measures effectiveness, and elicits feedback for specific business development programs. Conducts meetings to share these results to help the participating agencies/authorities and/or stakeholders improve on current performance.u2022 Assists in event development and planning for Division-led events including the MWBE Regional Opportunities Expo Series and MWBE Forum. Planning assignments include but are not limited to developing panel/workshop topics, identifying recommended speakers, participating in briefing meetings and developing MWBE resource guides.u2022 Compiles economic/business development information needed for program management and MWBE service delivery purposes.u2022 Based on assignment, develops and maintains relationships with agencies/authorities, regional business organizations, banking institutions and prime contractors to connect MWBEs to business opportunities and promote Division events and programs.u2022 Represents Empire State Development and the Division in business events. Participation includes but is not limited to exhibiting, presenting, panelist/moderator roles and developing social media content. u2022 Monitors and responds to inquiries submitted to the Business Development Unit from MWBE vendors, agencies/authorities, prime contractors, and external organizations.u2022 Approximately 30% statewide travel to regions including, but not limited to, Western NY and Finger Lakes is required.u2022 Special projects and other relevant tasks as assigned. 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.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:u2022 At least two years of professional experience in the field of business development, economic development and/or management consulting experience.u2022 Knowledge of minority-and-women-owned business certification processes and/or advocacy programs.u2022 Experience in program management.u2022 Experience in partnership development.u2022 Exceptional writing and presentation skills.u2022 Proficient in developing presentations using programs including PowerPoint.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 (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. Additional Comments SALARY RANGE: $86,681 - $109,650Note: The starting salary for candidates with no prior State service will be at the minimum hiring rate. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity. Name Gabrielle Serafin Telephone 518-292-5130 Fax Email Address Address Street 625 Broadway City Albany State NY Zip Code 12245 Notes on Applying If interested in this position, please forward a cover letter and resume to the e-mail address below by February 14, 2026. 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.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) 474-6988 or via email at .

Created: 2026-01-16