| Location | Hinds County, MS |
| Salary | $43,509.31–$47,860.24 Per Year |
Economic Development Specialist I
Salary
$43,509.31 - $47,860.24 Annually
Location
25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9319-0411-20260810HdS
Department
0411 - MDA-MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Opening Date
08/12/2026
Closing Date
8/25/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$43,509.31
Agency Maximum Salary
$47,860.24
About the Agency
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is the states lead economic and community development agency. MDA recruits new companies to Mississippi, helps existing companies expand and provides support to foster growth and new opportunities in a variety of areas, including energy, small and minority business, trade, film, retiree recruitment and more. Additionally, MDA attracts millions of visitors to the state each year through Visit Mississippi, the tourism division of the agency. MDA also supports pass-through funding and provides support for a variety of grant programs and non-profits, such as Innovate Mississippi and Mississippi Main Street Association.
About the Position
This Time-Limited (14) position performs professional grant administration and program support work for economic and community development projects within the Community Incentives Division, with emphasis on Mississippi Main Street Revitalization, and Small Municipal grants, CAP loans, and related state funding grants. Responsibilities include application intake, managing grant contracts and loan documentation, monitoring projects, processing requests for payment or reimbursement, reviewing expenditures and budget modifications, preparing reports, providing technical assistance, conducting public speaking engagements and trainings, and ensuring compliance with applicable state policies, program guidelines, and agency procedures. This is a time-limited position. Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Responsible for grant application intake for the Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant and the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Grant programs • Demonstrate organizational and time-management skills, with the agility to navigate changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously. • Administers, manages, monitors, and closes grant contracts and loan-related documentation associated with Mississippi Main Street Revitalization and Small Municipal grants, CAP loans, and related state funding grant programs. • Maintains current working knowledge of applicable state funding requirements, program policies, procedures, and guidelines. • Processes requests for payment, reimbursement, or cash with accuracy, completeness, and timeliness in accordance with program requirements. • Reviews contracts, grant expenditures, loan documentation, and budget modifications to ensure compliance with applicable requirements. • Provides technical assistance to agency staff, local governments, and grant or loan recipients to address questions, resolve issues, and respond to concerns in a professional and timely manner. • Assists with project monitoring activities, including site visits as needed, to ensure compliance with state policies and established program procedures. • Prepares written assignments, conducts research, develops reports, and responds to oral and written communications in a clear, accurate, and timely manner. • Utilizes standard office equipment and software applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, printers, copiers, scanners, and related office technology. • Ensures issues are identified, addressed, and communicated appropriately to support effective program administration.
What youll need to be Successful
To be successful, the candidate should demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment. The candidate should be able to interpret and follow program guidelines, maintain accurate records, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and provide professional technical assistance to grant and loan recipients. Success in this role will also require initiative, accountability, adaptability, and a commitment to supporting community and economic development programs in accordance with applicable state requirements and agency procedures. • Working knowledge of applicable state policies and procedures, funding requirements, and program guidelines. • Ability to provide technical assistance, resolve issues professionally, and communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. • Proficiency in the use of standard office equipment and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. • Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and willingness to travel overnight as needed. • Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and perform other related duties and special projects as required.
Preferred Qualifications
Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 0-2 years of experience. Agency preferred qualifications: • Demonstrated experience application intake, administering grant or loan programs, including contract management, project monitoring, payment processing, and closeout activities. • Experience processing requests for payment or reimbursement, tracking expenditures, reviewing budget modifications, and preparing related reports.
No available description
Health/Prescription Insurance
Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of experience do you have?
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed in a relevant area?
03
Do you possess a valid Mississippi driver's license or, if currently licensed out of state, are you willing and able to obtain a valid Mississippi driver's license?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406