Small Business Specialist

Small Business Specialist

Salary

$30.96 - $34.33 Hourly

Location

City Hall

Job Type

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

25-00106D

Department

Planning - Case Management

Opening Date

05/07/2026

FLSA

Determined by Position

Bargaining Unit

Exempt

Job Level

28

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all applicable pre-employment screenings and verification of eligibility to work in the United States, in accordance with applicable laws, civil service rules, and collective bargaining agreements.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This position is responsible for providing support to small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Under the general guidance of the Deputy Director of Business Services, provides counseling services and assistance to companies and individuals looking to invest in Flint.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains a record of all small business ventures of 100 jobs or less in the community.
• Meets with business owners and entrepreneurs regularly to provide technical assistance for a diverse catalog of challenges including but not limited to navigating policies and procedures within the municipality.
• Serves as advocate and liaison for small business development opportunities locally, regionally, and statewide.
• Researches and makes recommendations regarding the creation of programs/policies to address systemic barriers that entrepreneurs/small businesses face in Flint.
• Maintains a relationship with non-profit agencies, government programs and philanthropic organizations (throughout the nation) focused on assisting entrepreneurs/ small businesses; maintains appropriate records relative to these activities as required.
• Maintains a working relationship with small businesses and micro-loan lenders.
• Works closely with external partners to maintain and grow Flint's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Assists in the interactions of external programs/organizations and the department to market the City and its neighborhoods to prospective businesses.
• Assists various economic development agencies in formulating and establishing business contacts and identifying associated needs.
• Participates in the development and implementation of public information programs relative to the City's business assistance programs as required.
• May represent the department regarding business assistance and business promotion.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in Economic Development, Public Administration Business Administration, or a related field.

AND

• Two (2) to five (5) years of public or private sector experience, working with financial management, small business counseling or a related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Michigan driver's license.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Knowledge of the laws governing business activity.
• Knowledge of business practices and trends.
• Knowledge of finance or underwriting practices
• Thorough knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet research.
• Ability to carry out routine administrative and supervisory detail independently.
• Ability to maintain clerical records and to prepare accurate reports and tabulations from such records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with fellow employees, outside agency personnel, and the general public.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Strives to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Flint is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring or selection process should contact the Human Resources Department.

The City of Flint recognizes the value of benefits to employees and their families and offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to eligible full-time employees. Benefits will be provided based upon employment status.

Benefits offered include the following:

Retirement Program: City of Flint eligible employees participate in the MERS hybrid plan. The MERS Hybrid Plan offers you two important tools. The stability and security of a defined benefit plan, combined with the flexibility and investment choice of a defined contribution plan to help you achieve your retirement goals. At retirement, you'll receive a modest lifetime defined benefit (DB) and a separate defined contribution (DC) account you manage.

The DC plan requires an employee pretax irrevocable contribution of 1%-5% (Exempts employees contribute 5%). The employer pays the DB portion and matches the employees DC contribution. (Maximum employer match is capped at 10% for both the DB & DC. DB is always funded first). Employee contributions are 100% vested. Employer DC contributions vest at 20% per year and fully vest after 5 years. DB portion vests after 6 years and is payable at age 60. The City of Flint is a reciprocal employer under Act 88

Insurance Benefits: The City of Flint offers medical insurance (HAP and BCBS of Michigan), dental and vision to eligible employees, their spouses, and qualified dependents. Life & AD&D and short-term disability are available for free to eligible employees after six months of employment. The City of Flint offers a $100 per month opt-out payment for any employee who has other insurance coverage through a spouse or former employer and chooses not to take the City's medical insurance.

Eligible employees can also enroll in flexible spending accounts for both medical and dependents. They have immediate access to the full amount selected while paying back that amount with pre-tax payroll deductions over the following year.

City of Flint eligible employees also participate in an HCSP plan for future retiree health care costs. Employees contribute $600 pre-tax yearly ($23.08 each pay they work and/are paid 40 hours regular wages) and the employer matches $1500 yearly ($57.70 each pay they work and/are paid 40 hours regular wages). This plan is available for use after termination of employment. (The employer match is vested 20% each year and 100% vested after 5 years.)

EAP: The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program is designed to help employees, their spouses or live-in partners and their dependents through the age of 26 with the many personal/work challenges that we all encounter from time to time. The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program is confidential, and no cost to eligible employees, spouses/partners or covered dependents.

Voluntary Plans: The City of Flint also allows eligible employees to participate in voluntary supplemental programs. Aflac, Colonial, Equitable 457 plan and Mission Square 457 plans are available to employees. The 457 plans require pre-tax deductions. The 457 plans also allow employees to borrow up to 50% of their balance with a 5-year repayment schedule.

Professional Development: Eligible employees can apply for a $500 educational reimbursement per calendar year. Curriculums must be job-related courses from an accredited educational institution while maintaining a full-time employment status.

Student Loan Forgiveness: As an employee of the City of Flint, you may be allowed to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Information to help determine if you qualify is available from the US Department of Education.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day. ( Sworn Officers receive Easter Sunday holiday instead of New Year's Eve holiday).

PTO (Paid Time Off): PTO is provided according to union contracts and/or exempt policies to eligible employees. Earned PTO balances carry over each year and are paid out at termination for any employee with 6-month seniority.

Flex (Comp Time): Sworn Officers are allowed to bank overtime at 1.5 hours x hours worked. Flex time is used as leave time and the employee is paid out for any unused eligible hours at termination.

01

Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Economics, or a related field? If yes, please attach transcripts.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have two (2) to five (5) years of experience in the public or private sector working in financial management, small business counseling, or a related field? If yes, please document relevant experience.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you currently in possession of a valid State of Michigan driver's license and able to maintain it throughout employment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Flint

Address City of Flint

1101 S. Saginaw St

Flint, Michigan, 48502

Phone 810-766-7280

Website https://www.cityofflint.com/