Economic Development Finance Specialist at East River Electric Power Cooperative Madison, OH

Overview

Economic Development Finance Specialist — Join our team at East River Electric Power Cooperative. Are you passionate about rural economic development finance and building strong relationships? We invite you to join our business and economic development team as an Economic Development Finance Specialist. In this role you will work closely with our member systems, bank partners, and borrowers as you evaluate and manage loan requests for the Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) Fund.

You will support compliance and accounting activities for REED Fund loans, including regulatory and policy compliance, processing loan documentation, monitoring loan performance, and compiling reports on borrowers and fund information. Your attention to detail and dedication to accuracy will ensure our financial records and reporting stay on track and that the REED Fund operates according to the highest standards.

East River Electric Power Cooperative is dedicated to providing reliable and affordable wholesale power to our members across 40,000 square miles of service area. As a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative we provide electricity to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally owned electric system serving eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members power the lives of the member-owners in their service territories.

As a valued member of our team you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference every day. Your education, skills, and experience will be put to excellent use contributing to our mission of delivering exceptional wholesale power to our members. You’ll work alongside passionate professionals who embody the cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. We invest in your growth and development, including paid training and development opportunities.

• Represent the REED Fund and our lending policies and practices in each market with professionalism and integrity.
• Work directly with our bank partners to negotiate REED Fund loans, guiding them from origination and structuring through development and ongoing management.
• Evaluate risk ratings for both new and existing loans, support compliance and accounting tasks, and compile reports that track important borrower information.
• Coordinate and manage legal and closing documents, ensuring security interests are perfected for loans that proceed.
• Support our member systems with technical know-how, promote economic development initiatives, and visit borrowers onsite.
• Keep borrower financial and legal information confidential, ensuring compliance with government regulations.
• Prepare annual risk rating reports and financial reports for audits.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field; or four (4) years of directly related finance experience in lieu of degree.
• At least three (3) years of hands-on accounting, bookkeeping, or lending experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to build strong, positive relationships.
• Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other computer software.
• A valid driver’s license.

At East River we value your well-being and want you to thrive. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Retirement pension plan and contribution to a 401(k) savings plan
• Medical insurance with employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid training and development opportunities
• Access to a wellness program and financial planning resources
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• 9/80 work schedule which gives you every other Friday off to encourage work-life balance

Want to learn more about East River? Visit our career pages and hear what our current employees have to say.

Contact us for more information. Applications accepted through April 26, 2026 with interviews expected to begin during the week of May 4. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. All positions are subject to a post-offer pre-employment background check and drug screen. Some positions may be subject to a job-based physical exam.

Required Experience:

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