Small Business Resources Specialist

City of Pontiac • Pontiac, MI

3d • $55,000 - $96,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, economic development, communications, nonprofit management, urban studies, or a related field
• 5 years of experience in business assistance, program coordination, community or economic development, grant support, technical assistance, or a related area
• Proficiency in standard office software, database systems, and document preparation.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level