Small Business Resources Specialist

Small Business Resource Specialist

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Pay Grade: M-10

Supervision Received: Reports to the Economic Vitality Manager

Supervision Given: Does not have direct supervision

Under the supervision of the Economic Vitality Manager, the Small Business Resource Specialist provides direct assistance to businesses by connecting them with resources, technical support, and opportunities that help them operate, scale, and grow successfully. This position places a strong emphasis on business scaling as a priority and supports businesses in navigating available programs, incentives, procurement and bidding processes, technical assistance opportunities, and partner services. The role also supports the identification of funding opportunities and provides grant writing assistance to help small businesses pursue external resources.

Essential Functions:

• Provides direct assistance to businesses by connecting them with resources, technical support, and opportunities that help them operate, scale, and grow successfully.
• Assists businesses in navigating available programs, incentives, procurement or bidding processes, technical assistance opportunities, and partner services, including Oakland County Economic Development resources and programming that support business growth and scaling.
• Researches, identifies, and maintains information on grant programs, funding sources, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application materials relevant to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business support initiatives.
• Provides grant and funding application assistance by helping prepare, review, and strengthen business-facing applications, funding narratives, supporting documents, and related content.
• Works directly with businesses to assess service needs, answer questions, and coordinate referrals to internal departments, partner organizations, and external service providers.
• Prepares business-facing materials, correspondence, reports, resource guides, and informational content related to available services, incentives, and funding opportunities.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with small businesses, community partners, lenders, technical assistance providers, Oakland County Economic Development, and other stakeholders involved in business support to better connect business owners with relevant resources and programming.
• Tracks assistance provided, funding inquiries, grant-related activity, and business service outcomes to support program administration, reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of departmental, organizational, and community priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, economic development, communications, nonprofit management, urban studies, or a related field; supplemented by 5 years of experience in business assistance, program coordination, community or economic development, grant support, technical assistance, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working directly with small businesses, entrepreneurs, business support organizations, or public sector economic development programs. Experience identifying funding opportunities, preparing grant materials, supporting applications, or coordinating resource development efforts is strongly preferred. Familiarity with procurement processes, technical assistance programs, and business-facing service delivery is also preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of small business support practices, customer service, community and economic development resources, and basic grant development processes; ability to identify business needs and connect businesses to practical solutions; ability to research funding opportunities and organize application requirements and deadlines; skill in preparing clear written materials, grant-related content, reports, and correspondence; ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, partners, and service providers; ability to manage multiple assignments with attention to detail; and proficiency in standard office software, database systems, and document preparation.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in both office and community settings and requires regular interaction with businesses, entrepreneurs, partner organizations, and the public. The position may require local travel for meetings, site visits, outreach activities, workshops, or partner coordination, as well as occasional attendance at functions outside of regular business hours.