Position Title:                      Business Development Coordinator 

Employment Status:         Full-Time, (40 hours per week)

Reports To:                          District Program Coordinator

Compensation:                   $40,000-$45,000 annually

Job Location:                      5107 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Ste. 111 Vancouver, WA 98661

Application Requirements:

• Please submit the following items to the Hiring Committee at 4thplainforward@gmail.com
  • A resume providing information on past experience relevant to this position
  • A cover letter describing how your experience and interests make you a good fit for this position

Position Description:

Fourth Plain Forward (FPF) is hiring a bilingual (Spanish/English)/bicultural Business Development Coordinator to support our small business services. East Fourth Plain between I-5 and Andresen Road is home to over 150 small locally-owned businesses from ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds. The Business Development Coordinator will assist businesses through our Small Business Technical Assistance Program and support activities intended to strengthen the business district. 

 Essential Functions:

• Assist small businesses through direct one-on-one technical assistance
• Assess individual business needs and provide equitable services to small businesses in a timely manner
• Engage in door-to-door outreach with small businesses and property owners as well as via telephone and email to request participation in programs and activities
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to business needs and consistent with FPF’s values
• Maintenance of partnerships and positive relationships with FPF Business Membership and stakeholders
• Maintain regular contact with small businesses and serve as a connection to resources to support their growth
• Help maintain FPF’s existing databases (i.e. new business inventory) and assist in the development of new databases to support economic development
• Support new and existing programs such as our Storefront Improvement Program, Small Business Grant Program and Technical Assistance Program

Key Responsibilities:

• Outreach to small businesses along East Fourth Plain Boulevard
• Deliver technical assistance services to FPF Business Membership
• Communicate issues, opportunities and challenges facing the community to staff and board of directors as they arise
• Coordinate with the District Program Coordinator in the development of necessary outreach materials
• Establish, build and maintain close working relationships with business and property owners, community members and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of initiatives and programs
• Track data and programmatic outcomes to ensure continuous program improvement
• Work closely with the District Program Coordinator to administer grants, programs and coordinate program logistics
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Desired Skills:

• Identifying individual business needs
• Coordinating and facilitating in-person/virtual workshops or meetings
• Understanding of financial literacy (budgeting, record keeping, accounting practices, product and project cost analysis, etc.)
• Preparing profit and losses and other financial statements critical to the business’s success
• Providing direct one-on-one technical assistance to small business owners
• Analyzing and assisting with financial planning, loan and grant applications

 Education and Experience:

• Bilingual (Spanish/English)/ Bicultural individual highly preferred
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with diverse and underserved communities and low-income individuals
• Minimum of 2 years of experience with direct client service by providing small business consulting, small business education, public speaking, or relevant experience such as small business management/ownership
• Minimum of 2 years of experience assessing business plans, analyzing, data management, processing, and other relevant administrative areas
• BA/S or equivalent experience in management, business, accounting, or economic development or a related field of study
• Understanding of business operations
• Excellent interpersonal, written or oral communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks using time-management and problem-solving skills

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks at once
• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel

 Working Conditions:

• Work is performed remotely until safe to return to a professional office setting
• A laptop and other office equipment will be provided