What are the responsibilities and job description for the Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS) position at Empire State?
Job Opening
APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: April 18, 2026
JOB TITLE: Economic Development Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS) SG23, PEF LOCATION: NYC
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent JURISDICTION CLASS: Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Small Business and Technology Development
655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the general direction of the Sr. Vice President of Small Business and Technology Development, Capital Access, the incumbent will be integral in providing program outreach, marketing, origination (particularly credit related instruments or grants), guidelines development, management, and reporting. Further, the team member will provide technical advice, problem-solving assistance, program information and processing to economic/business development organizations, program stakeholders and businesses or prospective businesses concerning a broad spectrum or economic development issues and initiatives.
WORK PERFORMED:
- Develop and maintain access to capital relationships through consistent outreach to program stakeholders (i.e., business-to-business, program intermediaries, lenders, governmental, and NGOs) by way of marketing, creating, and delivering promotional materials and activities, and representing programs (and the agency) at meetings, conferences, site visits, workshops, or events.
- Manage business/economic development programs, such as the Minority Revolving Loan Trust Fund, Regional Revolving Loan Trust Fund, or new programs that may pertain to loan participation, loan guarantees, or startup capital access. Related tasks may include, but are not limited to, intake, review, analysis, payment processing, follow-up, reporting, and compliance of program/s.
- Generate ideas for outreach and collaboration surrounding statewide business development marketing activities for small business financing programs, with emphasis on the upstate New York regions, particularly locations north of the Mario Cuomo Bridge.
- Keep informed of all Capital Access Programs within the department.
- Complete program-related reports (written/oral) and/or deliverables on a timely basis for the Governor’s, Legislature, or ESD management teams to ensure effective program development, service delivery, and administrative operations.
- Research and report on significant local, regional, and statewide economic development issues related to access to capital and financial services.
- Participate/Assist with the development, drafting, review, and selection of request for proposals (RFPs), request for applications, and corresponding program guidelines.
- Perform business/economic development-related assignments, and other relevant projects as needed. Projects may include, but are not limited to: grant programs, tax-based incentives, Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), Socially and Economic Disadvantaged Individual-Owned Businesses, Very Small Businesses, trade shows, outreach webinars, program workshops, site visit programs, etc.
- Travel requirement: up to thirty percent (30%).
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.
NY HELPS Minimum 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:
- Proficient in Microsoft Suites and familiarity with MS Dynamics and PeopleSoft.
- Excellent oral, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills are essential.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Experience with small business lending and interest in community economic development.
- Detailed-oriented and a problem solver.
- Experience with public speaking and outreach.
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.)
55B/C Eligibility: This position is eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and must meet the minimum qualifications listed above. Information about the 55b/c program can be found here: https://www.cs.ny.gov/rp55/.
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.
SALARY RANGE: $86,681 - $109,650 (Plus $4,000 location pay)
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 April 18, 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.
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.
3/18/2026
Reference No. 00719
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
Salary : $86,681 - $109,650