Community Benefits Compliance Specialist
Community Benefits Compliance Specialist
FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt
Pay Grade: M-11
SUPERVISION
Supervision Received: Reports to the Economic Vitality Manager
Supervision Given: Does not have direct supervision
Under the supervision of the Economic Vitality Manager, the Community Benefits Compliance Specialist will focus on supporting small businesses and serving as a liaison to ensure that small businesses have the tools they need to participate in the community benefits agreements made with large developments. This position also serves as a key point of contact for business owners, helps identify operational challenges and service needs, coordinates connections to City and partner resources, and supports strategies that strengthen the local small business environment with a special focus on helping small businesses be able to scale and participate in the growth happening in the City of Pontiac.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Leads business retention efforts focused on helping existing small businesses remain stable, connected, and positioned for growth.
- Conducts outreach to local businesses through site visits, phone calls, meetings, events, and relationship-building activities to better understand operational challenges, opportunities, and service needs.
- Serves as an ongoing point of contact for business owners by responding to questions, identifying barriers to sustainability, and coordinating solutions through internal departments or external partners.
- Maintains records of business outreach, assistance provided, follow-up actions, and trends affecting the small business environment to support reporting and program development.
- Connects businesses to available resources, technical assistance, financing support, procurement opportunities, permitting information, and other services that help strengthen operations and growth potential.
- Supports corridor-based engagement efforts and assists in developing strategies, recommendations, and initiatives that promote business retention and long-term economic vitality.
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships with businesses, community organizations, lenders, service providers, and other stakeholders involved in small business support.
- Researches business conditions, recurring concerns, and service gaps to help inform policies, programming, and resource coordination efforts.
- Prepares reports, correspondence, outreach materials, and status updates related to business engagement activities and program outcomes.
- Performs other related duties as assigned in support of departmental, organizational, and community priorities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, economic development, urban studies, communications, or a related field; supplemented by 3-5 years experience in small business support, community engagement, business outreach, economic development, program coordination, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working directly with small businesses, entrepreneurs, business associations, corridor development efforts, community benefits agreement programs, or municipal and community-based economic development programs. Familiarity with business assistance resources, technical assistance providers, financing tools, procurement processes, or local government service delivery is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of small business issues, customer service practices, and community engagement strategies; ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse business owners, partners, and stakeholders; ability to identify needs, solve problems, and coordinate responsive solutions; skill in conducting outreach, preparing reports, and maintaining accurate records; ability to communicate clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing; ability to manage multiple assignments and follow-up activities with attention to detail; and proficiency in standard office software, database systems, and business correspondence.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in both office and field settings and requires frequent interaction with business owners, community partners, and the public. The position may require local travel for site visits, meetings, events, and outreach activities, as well as occasional attendance at meetings or community functions outside of regular business hours.