The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Economic Development - Agency 72

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$28.417

Job Posting:

JR2026-00024853 Business and Trade Development (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

04-18-2026

Job Description:

As part of the Business and Trade Development Team, your mission will be to strengthen the economy of Nebraska. The Business and Trade Development team works to recruit investment into the state and to promote Nebraska exports around the globe. At the Department of Economic Development, you will work with business leaders from around the world, support the efforts of our elected leaders, and coordinate with local communities.

Look at what we have to offer!

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

 

Job Duties:  On the Business and Trade Development team, you will: maintain database for industry contacts and recruitment project management, identify prospects, develop leads, place outbound calls, and successfully close negotiations with targeted businesses for relocation or expansion in Nebraska. Prepare presentations for business prospects on Nebraska incentives and advantages to operating a business in Nebraska. Respond to request for proposals and assist communities in responding to requests for proposals, act as a resource for the specific business leads developed during the marketing and prospecting for the state, and work with agricultural cooperator groups to promote Nebraska-grown products throughout the world. Coordinate with the US embassy system and federal departments to promote US products in foreign markets. Host inbound trade missions to the state. Work with state elected leaders to promote Nebraska overseas. Other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree in any discipline related to the work assigned and three years of related experience. Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.

Other: This position will require significant travel both inside the state, and also in the US and internationally. As such, the incumbent must be able to present a valid driver’s license or another form of reliable transportation. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:  Required Knowledge, skills and abilities: Business and Trade Development Team Members will need to learn the following: business budgeting and basic production procedures; the industrial development process on the community level; factors considered by a company considering a plant location in Nebraska; project management procedures; principles and techniques of public relations; business research practices and techniques; how to interface with federal and international partners in order to promote Nebraska products; planning trade missions; accommodating inbound trade missions and guest visits from overseas; sales techniques including marketing, prospecting, negotiating and closing.

Successful team members will be skilled in: •communicating effectively; influencing programs and policy development at various levels; transforming technical issues and complex ideas into understandable information for communication to both individuals and groups; relating to a variety of persons and stakeholders with interests in industrial development; researching technical issues; assimilating data and preparing reports independently.

 

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.