Small Business Counselor

Job Overview:

IRC Seattle’s Economic Empowerment Department supports refugees and immigrants in securing entry-level employment, developing career pathways, learning basic financial management skills, and starting or expanding small businesses. Under the direction of the Small Business Program Coordinator, the Small Business Counselor will support the continued development of IRC Seattle’s Small Business Program, modeled after the success of a proven microenterprise model used by other IRC field offices, and supported by IRC’s headquarters-based Technical Advisors. This position will also oversee operation of the New American Artisan Collective, a sewing program that provides instruction and technical assistance for refugee women to start sewing related home-based businesses. The Small Business Counselor will support refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs with individualized one-on-one technical assistance, access to low-barrier financing, and linguistically and culturally accessible trainings and workshops that target their specific needs.

Major Responsibilities:

- Assist in outreach to and recruitment of participants for small business programming; screen and assess interested King County residents for program eligibility and participation - Provide one-on-one business counseling and management assistance to new and existing King County resident-owned-businesses in all areas of business start-up and expansion - Assist entrepreneurs to become ready for business financing through preparation of loan applications, business plans, and financial statements - Underwrite and package loan applications, and present for review to the IRC’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the Center for Economic Opportunity - Conduct individual case management and provide loan repayment support, including technical assistance visits to the businesses of program participants - Proactively facilitate referrals to outside service providers as necessary to meet the diverse needs of the program participants - Ensure that information required for small business program eligibility and reporting purposes is collected and that accurate records are maintained, including case files and client data entry across multiple data bases - Ensure necessary steps are taken to obtain relevant program data in a timely fashion; follow-up with all clients regularly and record all contacts with case notes - Attend regularly scheduled meetings with other IRC staff and volunteers as part of the review, evaluation and program maintenance process - Assist in the planning and coordination of training activities and special events - Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Small Business Program Coordinator, Economic Empowerment

Indirect Reporting: Economic Empowerment Program Manager, Deputy Director for Economic Empowerment Program Quality and Innovation (HQ) Other Internal and/or external contacts:

*Internal*****: Economic Empowerment staff, Regular communication/coordination with other IRC departments

External: Monthly calls with counterparts in other IRC offices across US programs network, external community partners Qualifications Job Requirements:

Education

- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a related field

Work Experience

- 2 years’ experience in small business development or operation of a small business preferred - Experience with immigrant entrepreneurs preferred

· Knowledge of and experience with an array of business topics, including marketing, management, financing, and entrepreneurship

- Familiarity with business software and technologies, especially low-cost online marketing strategies - Previous experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying levels of literacy and numeracy - Experience and training in trauma-informed and person-centered services

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

- Competency in Microsoft Office required, additional technical skills an asset - Excellent organizational skills - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to make presentations - Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks, as well as working together on a close, collaborative team - Fluency in English and an additional language relevant to current populations served preferred (particularly Swahili, Farsi, Dari, Urdu, French, Ukrainian, Tigrinya, Somali, Burmese, or Arabic)

Working Environment:

- Standard, professional office environment (currently hybrid remote/in-person) - Regular travel to off-site locations like client businesses required - Offices hours are scheduled as Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (some flexibility possible); occasional work after hours and on weekends as needed to support programming

- Access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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