Economic Development Specialist

ROWE Professional Services Company; Flint (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay at time and a half

BCBS medical insurance options

Dental and vision insurance

Generous PTO and paid holidays

Telework opportunities

401(k) options with company match

Job summary

ROWE Professional Services Company in Flint, Michigan is seeking an Economic Development Specialist to support clients in securing funding for community development projects. This role combines financial strategy and grant writing expertise.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in grant administration and infrastructure funding, alongside strong communication and project management skills. The position offers overtime pay and comprehensive insurance benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in grant administration, municipal finance, economic development, or A/E consulting.
• Direct experience with infrastructure funding programs preferred.
• Knowledgeable of federal/state procurement and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to develop funding strategies for community development projects.
• Lead preparation of grant and loan applications, including narratives and budgets.
• Track legislative and program changes affecting funding options.

Skills

Grant administration

Project management

Technical writing

Relationship-building

Education

Degree in Public Administration, Finance, Planning, Business, or related field

Job description

The Company

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

Position Summary

The Economic Development 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

• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer