Job Summary: The EDC Team Jefferson Business Advisor primary role is providing technical assistance to small businesses. In addition, the person in this role assists in the implementation of the mission and goals of EDC Team Jefferson by assuring that program management, procedures, and communications required to meet the organizational objectives related to the EDC’s business advising function are achieved in a timely, professional, confidential, and thorough manner.
The Business Advisor is proactive in business outreach. They are a friendly and professional point of contact, facilitating the efficient operation of the organization by supporting and building relationships with staff, clients, partner organizations, and community members. They have keen organizational skills to perform a variety of tasks.
Location: Jefferson County, WA. In-person at our Port Townsend office.
Status: Up to 40 hours per week, M-F. Part time options available. Compensation: Based on experience and percentage of full-time employment, up to $80,000/year if full time.
Benefits: Bronze level health care plan for the employee if employed over 30 hours/week.
Proposed Start Date: Position available immediately, starting no later than October 1, 2024.
Instructions: Please send a brief cover letter and resume no later than August 9, 2024. Position is open until filled. No phone calls, please.
Organization Overview
The EDC mission focuses on high-leverage, place-based activities that improve the economic well-being and quality of life for people in Jefferson County, and the living systems in which we are embedded.
We do this by convening businesses, nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and community partners. We use a relational approach in supporting self-organizing networks and actively connect our community to business development resources and economic information.
EDC Team Jefferson works to diversify and strengthen a resilient and regenerative economy in Jefferson County. The EDC is Jefferson County’s primary source for economic development-related information and the doorway to business support services. EDC Team Jefferson initiates and facilitates collaborative projects and strategic partnerships. We provide specialized confidential consulting and technical assistance to existing, start-up, and relocating businesses to build resilience throughout Jefferson County. The EDC links resources throughout the local economic ecosystem, develops channels for access to capital, and advocates for local business. The organization strives to elevate systemic thinking and innovation as well as collaborative efforts to cultivate the conditions for transformative change.
What differentiates us as an employer is our developmental focus. EDC Team Jefferson strives to be a vehicle through which employees can develop skills and capabilities in alignment with how each staff member seeks to grow and contribute.
Job Responsibilities-Business Advising
Provide one on one advising services and resource support to the small business community.
Organize businesses classes, meetups, and peer learning groups with community partners.
Act as the primary contact for Jefferson LION (Local Investing Opportunity Network), receiving and responding to all incoming funding requests.
Manage programs/projects designed to assist local small businesses.
Assist the director in designing future programs that fulfill strategic
business development objectives.
Collect success stories from the field, obtain signed media releases from
business clients, provide content for blog drafts and social media posts.
Prepare, distribute, and record the results of annual small business surveys,
documenting needs and tracking changes over time.
Provide proactive support for the EDC Team Jefferson organization and
partners, including SBDC (Small Business Development Center), The Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE), and others.
Outreach
• Engage in ongoing outreach to the small business community.
Maintain the high number of trusting, confidential relationships that exist between EDC and our clients and community.
Maintain positive working relationships with local stakeholders including the Chamber, Main Street, City, County, Port, PUD, PTMTA, lenders, and local libraries and nonprofits.
Financial/Grant Management
Assist the director by providing content regarding grant management for program activities to ensure allocation of staff time and meeting program deliverables.
Participate in EDC financial management where needed regarding separation of duties and compliance.
Reporting
Manage advising reporting system.
Accurately track business assistance with weekly updates on the designated
Dept of Commerce-CAI platform.
Prepare quarterly and annual reports for all sponsoring public entities
(State, County, Port of Port Townsend, City of Port Townsend, Jefferson
County PUD, etc.), with support from EDC staff.
Prepare business advising summaries for ADO reporting, EDC staff,
stakeholders, and Board as requested.
Duties may change as business needs dictate and staffing evolves. The above list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities.
Skills and Qualifications
A passion for helping entrepreneurs to build resilience in Jefferson County is vital. The ideal candidate will possess the following:
Jefferson County, WA residency preferred.
An MBA is preferred as well as business ownership experience. Alternatively,
Bachelor’s degree in business with 5-years of experience with business ownership, and experience business advising and mentoring businesses may substitute for the MBA degree.
Demonstrated local economic development, community, and business relationships.
Confidence with computer use including MS Office and Google Workspace applications, Quick books, Zoom, and CRMs is preferred.
Program/workshop development experience is preferred.
Working knowledge of program management/administration is preferred.
Working knowledge of social media content creation is preferred.
Survey design and implementation is preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Vibrant interpersonal and customer service skills.
Dedication to collaborative thinking and creativity.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and utilize organizational skills.
Physical requirements include prolonged periods sitting at a desk and
working on a computer as well meeting with business clients in the field.
Schedule and Benefits
This position as full-time 100% FTE, exempt, with salary of up to $80,000/year, approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Occasional morning, early evening, and weekend availability may be required. If an applicant accepts a less than full time position, the position will become part-time, non-exempt.
EDC Team Jefferson employees receive ongoing support from the Board of Directors, including commitment to professional development, to your self-care, and a work environment that is inspiring rather than depleting. Employee Medical Insurance will be provided with 100% employer-paid premium for employees working over 30 hours/week.
Required Documents
Resume
Cover letter
Three references
EDC Team Jefferson Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
EDC Team Jefferson provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
EDC Team Jefferson
This Job Opportunity is now closed. Thank you to everyone that showed interest or sent in their resume and cover letter!