Job Abstract

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City. CAMBA serves more than 65,000 individuals and families each year, citywide, including almost 13,000 youth. Our 180+ programs in over 100 locations improve the lives of a diverse cross section of New Yorkers. From homelessness prevention in Staten Island to supportive housing in the Bronx; from employment training in Manhattan to after school programs and college access in Brooklyn; from family shelter and support in Queens to increasing affordable housing across the city, CAMBA provides holistic services to help struggling New Yorkers stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient.

CAMBA Small Business Services (CSBS) promotes economic revitalization in NYC with a special focus on Brooklyn, providing services specially tailored to the changing needs of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. CSBS offers entrepreneurial workshops, tailored one-on-one counseling, and small business loans up to $35,000. Our award winning Mobilize Your Business (MYB) technology program offers hands on training on free/low-cost technology tools which help increase income, decrease expenses, and improve business operations. Our client base includes low income, immigrant and disadvantaged entrepreneurs operating informal businesses in NYC. To help formalize small business owners, we follow our three-step process to quickly identify their needs and create a workplan for entrepreneurs to operate a more formalized business while preparing themselves for access to affordable financing, the key to small business growth.

Position: Business Counselor

Reports To: Program Manager

Location: 2244 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226

What The Business Counselor  Does:

• Organize, schedule, and conduct CAMBA's entrepreneurial training seminars and workshops.
• Register clients for CAMBA's entrepreneurial training seminars/workshops or for one-on-one assistance.
• Prepare appropriate marketing materials in order to recruit program participants.
• Market and outreach to potential referral sources, government agencies, community groups, local financial institutions, etc.
• Represent CSBS at events and partner meetings.
• Pre-screen client referrals for appropriate CAMBA service/program.
• Assist clients with completion of their business plans and/or entity formation.
• Follow-up with clients regarding open issues in their business plans/government filings, change in revenue/employee status, and business needs (i.e. – capital, resolving business issues).
• Review and critique business plans/government filings and provide feedback to clients.
• Assist clients in gaining access to capital.
• Provide clients with appropriate loan and/or grant applications and requirements.
• Maintain client data in the Small Business Services customized database.
• Maintain contact with borrowers and track their progress through phone calls and site visits.
• Review and assess loan/grant applications and accompanying business plans for risks.
• Prepare loan/grant application packages, including narrative assessments and recommendations, for senior review and approval to continue.
• Submit loan/grant package with senior approval to the Loan/Grant Committee for final review and approval.
• Upon appropriate level of approval, close loans/grants with clients.
• Prepare annual assessment of all borrowers/grantees based on their submission of financials.
• Provide technical assistance to those borrowers/grantees in need of additional assistance.
• Update, maintain and submit calendars.
• Attend staff/funder meetings.
• Provide one-on-one technical assistance and workshops, both virtually and in person.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in business, accounting, or a related field and two years of applicable experience and/or equivalent experience.

 Other Requirements:

• Experience in the field of micro-enterprise or a small business operator with experience in a teaching or training environment.
• Experience in lending, loan underwriting, credit grading, finance and credit analysis.
• Business counseling skills.
• Small Business Lending and Portfolio management skills.
• Acute ability to scrutinize small business plans and loan requests and research entrepreneurs.
• Ability to work closely with multi-cultural clients and familiarity with the economic issues of a low-income client base.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Access

Compensation: $45,000-$55,000 annually
When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.