Business Assistance Specialist, Northern Tier

Job Purpose

This position will provide hands-on business assistance and community outreach to aspiring and existing small business owners through the SBDC-led Business Assistance Service Centers, with a focus on supporting clients in accessing resources and information needed to start or strengthen a business. The appointment for this position is scheduled through June 30, 2027 with a possible extension through September 30, 2027.

Essential Duties

• Provides hands-on assistance and step-by-step guidance to aspiring and existing small business owners in foundational business areas including financial literacy, business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, and other essential business practices.
• Assists clients in navigating early-stage business development, operational barriers, and access to resources through practical, individualized support.
• Conducts outreach and community engagement with local organizations, partners, and stakeholders to increase awareness of small business resources and services.
• Supports clients with microgrant applications by helping them navigate program requirements and assemble supporting documentation.
• Works collaboratively with SBDC staff and external partners to connect clients to appropriate consulting, training, and specialized services as their needs evolve.
• Develops and delivers workshops, presentations, and training programs on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and core small business topics, including coordinating guest speakers and subject matter experts as appropriate.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with internal departments, community organizations, resource partners, and stakeholders to support program goals.
• Requires frequent travel throughout a four-county Northern Tier service area, with occasional travel to the SBDC office in Scranton and other locations within Pennsylvania; position includes significant field-based work and a flexible schedule with regular evening and weekend hours to support outreach, training, and community engagement.
• Meets all deliverables and reporting requirements established by the Director, including those necessary for funding, grant, and contractual compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business, communications, education, social sciences, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in client-facing roles such as advising, coaching, education, workforce development, community outreach, or small business support.
• Demonstrated interest in small business development, with ability to learn and apply foundational business concepts in a client-facing setting.
• Experience in entrepreneurship, small business operations, or small business ownership preferred.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide clear, structured, step-by-step guidance in a client-facing environment.
• Ability to effectively deliver presentations, workshops, and training sessions to small and large groups.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities with minimal supervision in a field-based environment.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships within the business and community environment.
• Proficiency with standard business software and digital tools.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
• The ability to uphold human dignity and respect by recognizing each person's worth, valuing diverse perspectives, and treating others with kindness, fairness, and empathy.
• Must be able to respect, support and contribute to the University's Catholic and Jesuit mission.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with additional hours as required. Full-time position on a 12-month annual schedule.