Small Business Development Center Business Management Counselor

Salary: $65,000.00 - $69,800.00 Annually
Location : Lacey Campus, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00016121
Division: Instruction
Department:Small Business & Development Center(603)
Opening Date: 12/12/2023
Closing Date: 1/19/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Our Opportunity
*This position will close on 01/19/2024 at 11:59pm.*
(SPSCC) seeks highly motivated and qualified candidates for the position of Business Management Counselor for our Small Business Development Center located at our Lacey Campus.
The Small BusinessDevelopment Center Business Management Counselor reports directly to the Dean of Corporate and Continuing Education and is part of a service delivery team at the Center for Business & Innovation (CB&I), a partnership between South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) and the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC). Under general supervision from the Dean, this position works cooperatively with the other Business Management Counselor in the Small Business Development Center to reach its stated goals through advising and training individuals in activities relating to starting, growing, or transitioning a Small Business.
In addition to instruction and advising this position oversees outreach activities to engage in the community through regular contact with Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Councils, service clubs, community organizations, professional associations, and the local business community. Depending on the service needs of our community, this position will also assess and assist in coordinating outreach to the extended PacMountain region (Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Lewis Counties), including our area's Tribal Enterprises.
This position is funded 50% through the Washington SBDC headquartered at Washington State University and 50% from SPSCC. As part of the WSBDC network this position must adhere to the conduct policies of the SBDC program. Counselors must have comprehensive knowledge and experience related to Small Business operations and work closely with local resources at the CB&I and the network of other SBDC advisors in the state.
South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti racist policy development coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district.
And if that isn't enough? We also offer:

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work depending on position and college needs
• Fine dining in the , offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices as part of our Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs
• The serving Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food items from our baking/culinary students
• A brand new
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE on our campuses - permits are not required
• On-campus
• Percival Creek which runs beneath our campus footbridge, provides year-round beauty and views of Chinook, Coho, and chum salmon pass through each fall
• Many walking paths that are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of different on campus
• Lots of activities with our , which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in the
• that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally, and which affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  1. Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network which strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust building across different groups through shared values.
  2. The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility.

What You'll Do
Responsibilities and duties of the Small BusinessDevelopment Center Business Management Counselor include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Advising clients in the formation or development of Small Businesses.
2. Assisting with the identification and evaluation of business challenges and opportunities.
3. Providing assistance and guidance in developing business plans, operating plans, marketing, management, human resource management, financial analysis, cash flow forecasting, bookkeeping/accounting education, succession planning, commercial financial proposals, and other Business Management areas.
4. Performing research data compilation, and budget analysis for use in managerial decision making.
5. Work with CB&I program staff and leadership to evaluate effectiveness of services in meeting the needs of the area and look at triage and program gaps that need to be filled.
6. Manage a client portfolio that is consistent with the SBDC Network's strategic expectations and advising 80-100 Small Business owners per year on a 1 to 1 basis.
7. Engaging with the community through internal and external stakeholder meetings and presentations. This includes presenting in credit classrooms, service groups, advisory committees, etc.
8. Teaching workshops aimed at Small Business operations and guest speaking as a resource in other classes.
9. Provides feedback to SPSCC Corporate Education team on what classes are needed to fill the gaps in service to our business community. Helps connect clients to the appropriate training resources.
10. Recording and reporting on client activities using the SBDC applications and forms, including entering data into Neoserra.
11. In coordination with the other Business Advisor, shares the responsibility for fulfilling the aspects of the South Puget Sound Community College/Washington State University Small Business Development Center contracted alliance. This includes going through the training and mentoring process to become a "Certified Business Advisor," attending semiannual meetings, and operating in compliance with WSBDC Standard Operating Procedures.
12. Attending meetings and/or conferences as program representative.

Qualifications You Possess
Minimum Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in business or related field. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Minimum of three years of experience in business ownership, Business Management, and/or program development. A Master's degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Robust computer skills, including proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, email, and Excel. Must be familiar with computerized accounting systems, such as QuickBooks. Experienced with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom or Teams.
• Lift up to 10 lbs and be able to travel to off-site locations for appointments and statewide meetings.
• Candidates must complete the WSBDC certification within six months of being hired or be making satisfactory progress towards completion, as determined by the SBDC's Certification and Professional development Committee. Upon successful completion, the candidate will be designated a Certified Business Advisor (CBA) and will be expected to pursue on-going professional development and continuing education to maintain his or her certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated local economic development, community, and business relationships.
• Experience advising Small Businesses.
• Five or more years owning and/or managing a Small Business.
• Experience developing and teaching workshops.
• Program and/or product development experience.
• Work with technology-based firms.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member with other advisors in a shared facility with combined triage for customers.
• Experience working with federal or state grant funds and reporting.
• Experience working with QuickBooks or other Small Business accounting software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a public-sector environment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop basic business plans, marketing plans, financial strategies, and business loan proposals.
• Ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports.
• A demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and timely records of professional activities.
• Proficient in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Knowledge of the characteristics and prerequisites of a successful business loan proposal.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of Small Business operations.
• Knowledge of basic business accounting.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local taxes and regulations pertaining to Small Businesses.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• High tolerance for ambiguity; the ability and willingness to work in an ever-changing and fast-paced environment to address complex business and human resource concerns.
• Strong team attitude and approach to work; the ability and willingness to share ideas, to be open to the ideas of others and to work toward organizational goals and interests.
• Strategic thinking; the ability to formulate effective business strategies consistent with accomplishing the business and mission of WSBDC and WSU. Having a long-term perspective and the ability to assess the impacts of proposals - both pro and con.
• Systematic thinking; the ability to focus on how issues being reviewed interact with the other components of our systems.
• Strong customer service orientation; the desire and ability to provide friendly and flexible services that resolve concerns in a timely fashion in accordance with the appropriate processes and procedures.
• Consulting skills; the ability to work with client to define their concern(s), identify options with the attendant potential consequences, and place customers in a position to make decisions as to an appropriate course of action.
• Commitment to diversity; an appreciation of the benefits of a diverse workplace and customer base and the willingness to take action to enhance the diversity of SPSCC and the CB&I.
• Ability to reason logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to remain poised under a variety of circumstances and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that engenders confidence and trust.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in high-stress environments and with conflicting priorities.
• Ability to address multiple complex problems simultaneously.
• Ability to multitask without loss of efficiency or accuracy, including the ability to execute multiple assignments from multiple sources.
• Ability to sustain work and attention in spite of distractions and/or interruptions.
• Ability to interact appropriately with a wide variety of individuals including customers and clients.
• Ability to deal with people facing adverse circumstances.
• Ability to work as an integral part of a team.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to understand, remember and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks without direct supervision.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make effective decisions.

To Apply

1. Cover letter addressed to the Screening Committee highlighting your ability to perform the responsibilities and competencies described in the job posting.
2. Current resume/CV showing all educational and professional experience which demonstrates how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications.

Top candidates will be notified directly to interview for this position. Selection will be based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed in this job posting as identified in the materials requested above. Applications with comments directing the reader to see attachments will be considered incomplete.
Veterans PreferenceApplicants who meet the minimum qualifications and are wishing to claim Veterans Preference should redact their personally identifiable information from a copy of their United States Department of Veterans Affairs honorable discharge documentation and email to with the job number for which they are applying in the subject line.
Background Check Condition of EmploymentEmployment with the college is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Any adverse information will be considered on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically preclude a candidate from employment.
South Puget Sound Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator
South Puget Sound Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harass...