Economic Development Specialist

Rowe Professional Services Company; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wage

Medical insurance options

Dental and vision insurance

Generous PTO program

Flex time scheduling

401(k) with company match

Job summary

A consulting firm in Grand Rapids is seeking a Client Funding Specialist to support clients in securing funding for infrastructure projects. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in grant administration or municipal finance and a degree in a related field. The position offers a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits, including overtime pay, medical insurance, and a 401(k) plan with company match. Join a team dedicated to ethical practices and growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in grant administration, municipal finance, economic development or A/E consulting.
• Direct experience with infrastructure funding programs preferred.
• Ability to translate engineering concepts into fundable community benefits.

Responsibilities

• Develop funding strategies for community development projects.
• Lead preparation of grant applications, narratives, budgets, and schedules.
• Maintain funding opportunity databases and track legislative changes.
• Lead grant and loan applications, including narratives, budgets, schedules, and benefit analyses.
• Coordinate technical documentation with internal design teams and track program changes.
• Align project scopes and schedules with funding requirements and maintain databases.

Skills

Grant administration

Municipal finance

Project management

Technical writing

Relationship-building

Verbal communication

Written communication

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Public Administration or related field

Job description

The Company

ROWE Professional Services Company is an employee-owned, full-service professional consulting firm specializing in civil engineering, surveying, aerial photography/mapping, LiDAR, landscape architecture, planning, and land development.

At ROWE, our core values include safety, quality, people, service, and growth. We are seeking a Client Funding Specialist to join our proactive team of ethical, talented, passionate professionals and leaders at our Grand Rapids, MI office.

Position Summary

The Client Funding Specialist supports ROWE clients in identifying, securing, and managing funding for infrastructure and community development projects. This role blends financial strategy, grant writing, regulatory knowledge, and client relationship management to help communities move projects from concept to construction.

Key Responsibilities

Funding Strategy & Planning

• Collaborate with engineers, planners, and clients to develop comprehensive funding strategies for community development projects.
• Identify federal, state, and local grant/loan opportunities (e.g., SRF, USDA-RD, Safety, TAP, Bridge, TEDF, CDBG, EPA programs, etc.).
• Assist in preparing funding feasibility analyses, rate impact studies, and capital improvement funding plans.

Grant & Loan Administration

• Support business development efforts and proposal preparation.
• Lead preparation of grant and loan applications, including narratives, budgets, schedules, and benefit analyses.
• Coordinate required technical documentation with internal design teams.

• Track legislative and program changes that affect client funding options.

• Work with project managers to align project scopes and schedules with funding requirements.

• Maintain funding opportunity databases and internal best practices.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Public Administration, Finance, Planning, Business, Professional/Technical Writing or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in grant administration, municipal finance, economic development, or A/E consulting.
• Direct experience with infrastructure funding programs preferred.
• Certified Grant Administrator or related economic development credentials preferred
• Strong technical writing experience preferred

• Knowledgeable of federal/state procurement and compliance
• Ability to translate engineering concepts into fundable community benefits
• Relationship-building and presentation skills
• Project management and deadline coordination
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work remotely and in person effectively

Why Work Here

ROWE offers a highly competitive wage and benefits package which includes:

• Overtime pay at time and a half.
• BCBS medical insurance options with industry-low co‑shares.
• Dental, vision, and employer‑paid life insurance plan.
• A generous PTO program and paid holidays.
• Flex time scheduling and telework opportunities.
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) options with 4% company match, auto‑enroll and target‑based funds.

ROWE is truly dedicated to providing a collaborative workspace, rewarding projects, and a business culture that is reputable, ethically minded, and growth driven. With offices in Flint, Lapeer, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, Mt. Pleasant, Grayling, Oscoda, MI, and Myrtle Beach, SC, we have lots of opportunity to grow.

WE BUILD CAREERS!

Check us out at: www.rowepsc.com

Direct Contact Information:

ROWE Professional Services Company

Attn: HR

540 S. Saginaw St., Ste. 200

Flint, MI 48502

[e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer