Description
The Housing and Economic Development department is seeking a Small Business Navigator to join the Community and Economic Development division. This position will support a variety of economic development programs and projects that enable equitable investment in Hennepin County communities, foster an inclusive system of support for entrepreneurs and growing businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents. The position will primarily support the county’s Elevate Hennepin business platform and will assist with culturally responsive outreach with small business owners, communications and education, program monitoring, and relationship building with program vendors, cities, and agency partners. Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit the employee referral program page.
Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at 701 4th Avenue South, Minneapolis, 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours are flexible, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This position will require attending some early morning, evening, and weekend meetings, occasionally in areas with limited public transportation access.
While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
New employees who are hired into remote or hybrid positions between January 2, 2022 to December 31, 2024, will receive $500 toward the cost of establishing consistent internet connectivity, payable upon completion of 6 months of employment.
About the position type:
This position is a full-time, benefit earning position. This position is internally classified as a Planning Analyst, Senior. Click here to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will:
Serve as Hennepin County’s Elevate Business navigator to help connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with available resources:
Conduct inclusive, culturally competent outreach and relationship management with local business communities.
Growing and maintain ongoing relationships with Hennepin County stakeholders in the business community, including intra-agency, city, and other state and federal business support programs.
Respond to questions from entrepreneurs and business owners and follow through with excellent customer service.
Plan, coordinate, schedule, and track outcomes of meetings and events, and represent Hennepin County’s Elevate Hennepin suite of entrepreneur development programming, specialized business consulting and online resource hub through face-to-face meetings, virtual consultations, webinars, and presentations to local business groups, agency, and city partners.
Manage and implement data tracking in the customer resource management (CRM) program.
Maintain, update, and promote resource offerings from Hennepin County and partner agencies to ensure that underserved business owners have equitable access to resources.
Assist with management of non-profit and for-profit consultants and business technical assistance providers.
Assist with the creation of program client service standards and processes that ensure program goals are met.
Need to have:
One of the following:
Bachelor's degree in one of the fields listed below and one year or more of relevant planning, research, economic development, and/or project management experience.
Bachelor's degree or higher in any field and a minimum of two courses in research methods, analysis, statistics, project management, planning, or evaluation and 18 months or more of relevant planning, research, economic development, and/or project management experience.
Master's degree or higher in business administration, public administration; public affairs/public policy, research methods, statistics; behavioral/social science; public health; computer science/MIS, management science; non-profit management, urban/city planning, or a field appropriate to the area of specialization.
Access to reliable transportation to attend occasional meetings throughout Hennepin County.
Nice to have:
Experience:
Working with strategies and local community stakeholders that support successful small businesses.
Being inclusive and culturally competent in interactions with clients and partners.
Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with team members, municipal governments, community and cultural groups, business organizations, and the general public.
Demonstrating effective writing, spreadsheet creation, presentation, and data management skills.
Interpreting program materials and concepts, synthesizing project information, and creating and delivering PowerPoint presentations.
Planning and organizing meetings, setting agendas, taking effective notes, synthesizing information and action items, and tracking decisions and project progress in Excel and other Microsoft tools.
Knowledge of or interest in:
Developing and implementing strategies to support and grow small businesses.
Engaging with emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially those that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Creating a level playing field so that all residents, including those in communities of color or low-income communities, have opportunities to grow their entrepreneurial skills.
Using research and data to inform development and operation of programs.
Candidates with fluency in another language in addition to English are encouraged to apply. Bilingual candidates who pass a language assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay and duties.
Link: Small Business Navigator | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)