Economic Development Specialist I

State of Mississippi; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Mississippi's Mississippi Development Authority seeks an Economic Development Specialist I in 25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS. This full-time role offers annual salary range $43,509.31–$52,211.17 and requires a Bachelor's Degree with 0-2 years of experience.

The agency focuses on recruiting and supporting businesses, granting financing, and facilitating economic growth across the state. Strong Excel/Word skills and a valid MS driver's license are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 0-2 years of experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Valid Mississippi driver's license.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Knowledge of budgeting, administrative law, and state bid laws.

Responsibilities

• Administer state-supported grant, loan, and bond programs.
• Coordinate servicing activities for financing programs.
• Market financing services provided through state-supported programs.
• Understand and apply state statutes, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Provide technical assistance to businesses, cities, counties, nonprofits and other applicants.
• Respond and disseminate program information to businesses and local governments.
• Aid in the incentive application process.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of state incentive programs and tax incentive programs.
• Perform basic accounting related to cash processing and workflow for program administration.
• Assist with other duties and projects as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Critical thinking

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Economic Development Specialist I in 25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS

State of Mississippi

$43,509.31 - $52,211.17 Annually

Location

25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS

Full-Time

Job Number

9319-0411-20261007Hs

0411 - MDA-MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Opening Date

10/09/2026

10/23/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Agency Minimum Salary

$43,509.31

$52,211.17

About the Agency

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is the state's 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer state-supported grant, loan, and bond programs
• Coordinate all servicing activities related to financing programs
• Help market financing services provided through state-supported programs
• Understand and apply state statutes, rules, regulations, and policies
• Provide technical assistance to businesses, cities, counties, non-profits and other entities applying for funding through Business Incentive programs
• Respond and disseminate program information as requested to businesses, local economic development organizations, and local units of government
• Aid in the incentive application process
• Provide information regarding program policies and procedures
• Develop and maintain an integral knowledge of state incentive programs (i.e. discretionary grant programs and statutory tax incentive programs) and various other assistance programs offered by state and federal government
• Perform basic accounting functions in regard to requests for cash processing and the workflow process associated with program administration
• Assist with other duties and projects as assigned

What you'll need to be Successful

To be successful a candidate must possess and maintain a valid Mississippi driver's license, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in a professional and friendly manner, be proficient in Microsoft Office suite, possess a strong work ethic and high degree of initiative, proven ability to make independent decisions, demonstrate strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines, ability to exercise a high degree of confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion, and ability to be flexible and adapt to changes in priorities and demands.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Strong communication, interpersonal, decision-making, and critical thinking skills
• Possess knowledge of public administration (budgeting, administrative law, and state bid laws) as well as public relations and negotiation skills to facilitate frequent interaction with business executives and others

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 0-2 years of experience.Hiring agency preferred qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, public administration, public policy, banking, or related field

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201