SBDC Business Counselor
Central Arizona College

Job Summary

Provides expert analysis, advice, guidance, and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners and managers in Pinal County. This individual will offer personalized assistance to clients, helping them navigate the complexities of starting, managing, and growing a successful small business, as well as identify and create content for seminars and workshops.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one counseling services, information, education, and other resources, both in person and virtually, to start-up and existing businesses, using personal knowledge and experience, while leveraging internal training and tools.
• Conduct thorough assessments of clients' business needs, challenges, and opportunities to develop tailored action plans, business plans, marketing plans, and market research from a strategic point of view.
• Develop and present seminars, workshops, and training sessions relevant to small business development and entrepreneurship, both in person and virtually, to clients and community partner organizations on a quarterly basis.
• Demonstrate and utilize up-to-date knowledge of small business practices, procedures, and administration to anticipate and creatively solve problems and capitalize on opportunities.
• Provide technical services and information, including but not limited to market research, computer software application uses, and analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
• Assist clients in accessing resources, tools, and programs available through CAC SBDC and other external partners to support their business goals.
• Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes affecting small businesses to provide accurate and timely information to clients.
• Take responsibility for driving new client acquisition by, but not limited to, nurturing relationships with community partners and others.
• Represent CAC SBDC at community events, networking opportunities, and outreach activities to promote awareness and engagement with our services, including attending events that require local travel and time outside normal operating hours.
• Foster partnerships and collaborations with local businesses, organizations, and stakeholders to enhance the reach and impact of CAC SBDC's services.
• Provide guidance to clients to become "lender ready" and direct them to the ideal lending institution.
• Collect economic impact data on a regular basis from clients served to help reach Center and Network goals and further the College's mission.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, progress, and outcomes using the center's database and reporting systems.
• Work closely with public and private sector organizations to further the interests and success of small business.
• Regularly travel throughout the Pinal County service area and to various areas inside and outside of Arizona as necessary.
• Provide the CAC SBDC director with regular updates on client progress and success stories.
• Engage in continuous professional development utilizing SBDC, AZ Commerce Authority, SCORE, and other organization's resources to further skills and abilities.
• Participate in the recruitment and retention of students.
• Perform other duties with functions and level of position or as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, preferably in business administration, entrepreneurship, economics, marketing, finance, or other closely related fields; master's degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum 5 years of non-passive, direct business ownership (applicants are required to provide the financial statements from their business from their years of ownership); business counseling/consulting, entrepreneurship, or related fields; corporate environment employment; proven success in assisting small businesses with start-up, growth, and expansion strategies; teaching experience and/or skills.

SPECIAL POSITION CONDITIONS: None.

Background Verification: As a condition of employment, all candidates accepting an offer of employment for a full-time, part- time, temporary, student worker, or volunteer position, will be required to undergo a Background Verification. Employment with Central Arizona College is contingent upon the successful completion of the background verification. The level the background verification for this position is: Standard level.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of the diverse range of activities involved in running a small business, including marketing and sales, accounting and financial management, business planning and strategy, legal and regulatory compliance, human resources, operations management, customer service, networking, and administration.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with supervisors, peers, and clients.
• Knowledge of the local business ecosystem in Pinal County, Arizona, and willingness to establish and maintain professional relationships within the community.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and develop relationships with both public and private sector organizations.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of a variety of computer business software applications, including, but not limited to, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, ChatGPT (AI), QuickBooks, Microsoft Teams and CRM.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and experience working with a diverse range of people.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Experience in commercial banking and lending.
• Experience in financing/funding start-up businesses.
• An understanding and commitment to the mission and vision of Central Arizona College.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The work is sedentary work. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, handling, hearing voices and distinguishing among sounds, mental acuity, reaching, talking, visual acuity in data, and walking.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Important Level - Position engages in or requires some or all of the following: uses alternative or combined human relations skills in understanding other people and influencing their behavior in order to achieve job objectives; applies skills of persuasiveness or assertiveness, as well as sensitivity to other person's point of view in order to influence their behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around; provides direction, consultation, and/or training; deals with confidential information; and/or has moderate level of contact with students, program participants, and/or the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in a relatively safe, secure, and stable work environment. Job is performed in general office or comparable working area with occasional distractions such as noise and interruptions or in congested work areas with exposure to some disagreeable elements. Travel throughout the District required.

CAC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti?discrimination. CAC strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of the following protected classes and/or characteristics, in all of its operations, programs and activities, including but not limited to employment, promotion, admissions and access to all career and technical programs: race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including sex assigned at birth, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information contact: Laura Shepherd, Title IX Coordinator at 480?677?7853 or titleix@centralaz.edu; Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 520?494?5409 or studentaccessibility@centralaz.edu or Talent Development at Talent.Development@centralaz.edu.

Important Notice: As a condition of employment, all full time Central Arizona College employee's automatically become members of the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). This is a pension system that requires mandatory contributions from the employee with a matching contribution from the employer. The 24-25 fiscal year contribution rate is 12.27%. Please note this rate is subject to change on a fiscal year basis. Membership to ASRS is a condition of employment and is not optional unless you are at least 65 years of age and meet the opt out eligibility requirements, or are a retiree from ASRS . Please consider this when applying for this position.

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