Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyEmpire State Development, NYS

TitleEconomic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS)

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary Grade23

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $86681 to $109650 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 30%

Schedule

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

Location

County Albany

Street Address 625 Broadway

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12245

Job Specifics

Duties Description Under the general direction of the Minority and Women’s 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:
• 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.
• Monitors assigned New York State agency/authority procurements, Request for Proposals (“RFPs”) and contracting opportunities in the New York State Contract Systems (“NYSCS”), and via partnership meetings and general research for MWBE matchmaking.
• 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.
• Track certified firms for prime and subcontracting opportunities based on the parameters provided by agency/authority or Prime Contractors.
• Develop/maintain relationships with agencies/authorities and prime contractors to create pathways for MWBE supply chain networks and their access to contract opportunities.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Compiles economic/business development information needed for program management and MWBE service delivery purposes.
• 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.
• 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.
• Monitors and responds to inquiries submitted to the Business Development Unit from MWBE vendors, agencies/authorities, prime contractors, and external organizations.
• Approximately 30% statewide travel to regions including, but not limited to, Western NY and Finger Lakes is required.
• 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:
• At least two years of professional experience in the field of business development, economic development and/or management consulting experience.
• Knowledge of minority-and-women-owned business certification processes and/or advocacy programs.
• Experience in program management.
• Experience in partnership development.
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills.
• 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 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.

Additional Comments SALARY RANGE: $86,681 - $109,650
Note: 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.

How to Apply

Name Gabrielle Serafin

Telephone 518-292-5130

Fax

Email Address DED-HR@esd.ny.gov

Address

Street 625 Broadway

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12245

 

Notes on ApplyingIf 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 info@oer.ny.gov.