Small Business Advisor - F/T & Hybrid

Position Title: Small Business Advisor

Reports To: Business Advisor Program Manager

Employee Classification: Salaried

1. Hours: 0 Full-time (40 hours/week)

Compensation: $52,156- $64,145 based on experience

Benefits: 90% employer-paid medical, dental, vision insurance, 401K plan with employer contribution, transit subsidy, work-from-home stipend, paid professional development opportunities, paid time off starting at three weeks per year, up to 14 paid holidays annually, and flexible schedule.

Consideration of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About APANO CUF:

At APANO CUF (APANO), we envision a just world where Asians, Pacific Islanders and the communities who share our aspirations and struggles have the power, resources and voice to determine our own futures.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we work to unite Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders and advance equity. We do that through education, advocacy, community development and cultural work to drive political, social, economic and cultural change in partnership with sibling organization APANO Action Fund (AF), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit.

Learn more about APANO at www.apano.org.

About the Position:

APANO is looking for an individual who is passionate about working with and has strong cultural familiarity with the API community. The work in this position will be cultivating opportunities to win concrete change in the lives of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Oregon, and the larger world through supporting entrepreneurship, small business ownership, growth and development. This will create the opportunity to elevate our community through economic empowerment.

Our ideal candidate has an entrepreneurial and or small business ownership background and experience. They also are informed and comfortable working within diverse populations, are personable and comfortable cold-calling and reaching out to folks. The role includes assessment of where a business is at in its lifecycle and ability to advise and guide them through processes and connect them with resources as needed. The work also requires a high level of attention to detail and use of multiple software programs. The Small Business Advisor reports to the Business Advisor Program Manager and has no supervisory responsibilities. They will manage and provide support for small business owners through a culturally sensitive lens and the Mission, Vision and Values of APANO. The Small Business and Economic Development department at APANO is growing and there will be opportunities to help develop programming and working with the Program Manager, helping create and present workshops and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs.

This is a hybrid position. Most of the work is done remotely at your home office with support in setting up your space. Some meetings will be at the Orchards of 82 main offices as well as some at the APANO West office in Beaverton. Attendance to partner events and meetings as well as in-person small business meetings and visits are also required.

Position Responsibilities:

Business Resource Navigation (75%)

• Become familiar with business support resources and programs at the city, county, regional, state, and federal levels and navigate small business clients to relevant resources.
• Participate in outreach and light touch business support (program introduction, evaluation of business owners current tools, systems, and needs). Evaluate a business in its lifecycle and make recommendations for best types of support and resources.
• Provide services which include business assessment, program enrollment, application assistance, goal setting, business plan development, and ongoing coaching
• Guide clients to access additional programs to further their business, marketing, and finance plan
• Work collaboratively with organizational partners to ensure the participants reach their goals
• Work will be focused on serving clients doing business and/or residing in Washington, Clackamas and outer Multnomah communities as well as Portland.
• The work will include serving businesses across numerous sectors, focusing somewhat on Childcare business through the end of FY 2025.

Program Coordination and Data (25%)

• Assist in identifying and understanding business resources to develop an APANO program in Washington County, Multnomah County,and beyond to share as needed to small business owners and entrepreneurs
• Outreach and enrollment to local business owners, including demographic information collection
• Reporting and tracking work: submit program activities to funders on quarterly basis.
• Collaborate on workshops/courses around related topics and needs
• Input data in timely manner, maintain contractually required information database system to track client information

Qualifications:

The Business Advisor will have:

• Minimum 5 years of business entrepreneurship and/or ownership or relevant experience
• Patience and skills to build foundations for long-term relationships.
• Ability to work closely with individuals and community partners
• Highly organized and has extensive experience with tracking data and reporting.
• Sufficient written and spoken English proficiency to communicate thoroughly
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, including public presentation skills
• Effective ability to navigate a personal computer, relevant software for word processing, calendaring, e-mail, data entry, and social media (Use of Microsoft Office, Google products - Gmail, Google Docs, Adobe, etc). Efficiently research and perform various tasks via the Internet.
• Collaborative but also self-directed and able to work independently.
• Deep commitment to and vision for APANO’s mission and strategic plan, including an understanding of the role of grassroots community organizing in social change and movement building.
• A deep understanding of issues affecting Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

Preferred, but not required:

• Asian and/or Pacific Islander language proficiency, both spoken and written.

Physical demands and working conditions: Position is a mix of sedentary and ambulatory; regularly required to walk. Dexterity necessary to operate a computer with substantial repetitive motion of wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Able to lift and/or move up to 10-15 pounds regularly. The visual acuity to read and prepare/analyze data and figures. Ability to express/exchange ideas by means of the spoken word; perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Majority of work is performed indoors. Local travel may be necessary. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and this position will be open until filled. Priority will be given to applicants who submit their application by 1/17/2025. Applications should be emailed (PDF preferred) to jobs@apano.org with subject “Small Business Advisor”.

Complete applications include:

• Cover letter (1 page max) clearly outlining the specific skills, knowledge, and experience you bring to the job and how those are a good fit with the responsibilities of the position.
• A complete resume (2 pages max) detailing relevant experience, work history, education and accomplishments.
• [If advanced to finalist stage] 3 references, with contact information, and your relationship to the reference

APANO Communities United Fund and APANO Action Fund are actively seeking to increase representation and develop the leadership of women, LGBTQ+ people, people with lived experience of economic injustices, and other underrepresented groups, including diverse API communities, both within the organization and the broader racial justice movement in Oregon and API communities. APANO and APANO Action Fund are equal opportunity employers. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other legally protected classification.