VA# 22-013 Rota Small Business Development Center Director/Business Advisor

About this Position

The Rota SBDC Director/Business Advisor for the Rota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a full-time, career, non-political appointment. The Director/Rota Business Advisor provides personnel leadership, Network program focus, and delivery of SBDC services to the small business community on the island of Rota. The Director/Rota Business Advisor will also work as a Business Advisor and oversee the training calendar for the Rota SBDC Service Center. The Director/Rota Business Advisor will oversee the Service Center operations, including, but not limited to, providing high quality individual counseling to entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers; coordinating training activities relevant to the needs of the communities of Rota; developing a resource network on Rota; and working with the Rota community, business, and government leaders to advance the mission and overall plans of the SBDC and SBA. Additionally, the Director/Rota Business Advisor will also coordinate referrals to Business Specialists for specialty training not directly available on Rota.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. accredited institution or foreign equivalent (Master's Degree preferred) and three (3) years of management experience in a business corporation, business ownership, or agency dealing with the business community; or

  Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. accredited institution or foreign equivalent (Master's Degree preferred) and five (5) years of direct experience in a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or a similar small business assistance program.         

Desired Qualifications

• Experience as a SBDC Director and/or Advisor 
• Current or past certification as an SBDC Small Business Advisor 
• Familiar with SBA, SBDC, and ASBDC reporting requirements 
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing and/or grant administration
• Experience with online database reporting (i.e.; Neoserra-client activity tracking system) 
• Demonstrated experience in business consulting and able to apply business management principles, practices, and techniques 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Contributes and promotes a positive and professional working environment and relationship with the college community and promotes a positive representation of the CNMI SBDC Network & SBA Department and the Northern Marianas College.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing business plans and/or business loan packages; 
• Demonstrated experience with standard computer hardware and software;
• Demonstrated competency in written and oral presentations; 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; 
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work with people.
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with co-workers and supervisors; 
• Able to work effectively with a diverse, multi-ethnic, multicultural client population and with leaders in the private and public sectors and to direct, manage and market the program to a dispersed client base; 
• Knowledge and ability to measure and evaluate impact of program delivery.
• Proficient in the use of computer hardware and standard business software programs especially Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and databases (may be required to demonstrate knowledge and skills);
• Must have a valid passport and must be willing and able to travel frequently, as needed, throughout the CNMI SBDCN service area;
• Must have effective communication skills and the ability to work with people. Must possess a valid CNMI driver's license. 

• Participates in Program Review and Outcomes Assessment (PROA) activities.
• The Rota SBDC Director/Business Advisor must work collaboratively with Rota’s NMC Executive Director to meet the goals and milestones set by the SBDC.
• Develops and tracks goals in line with the CNMI SBDCN mission, strategic plan and directives, SBA program announcements and regulations, and Association of Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) certification requirements. 
• Provides one-on-one business counseling to established and prospective small business owners and other qualified clients. 
• Plans, directs and organizes the SBDC Service Center program operations and Service Center personnel in accordance with the CNMI SBDCN Standard Operating Procedures. 
• Directs and supervises the Rota SBDC Service Center counseling/consulting services and training programs. Prepares and updates proposed work plans to meet minimal counseling/consulting and training milestones and annual goals established in consultation with the CNMI SBDCN Director. Ensures that high quality technical assistance, counseling and training are provided to the small business community throughout the assigned geographic region. 
• Responsible for determining, planning, designing and developing training courses and conferences. Establishes presentation dates and locations and develops co-sponsoring arrangements. Initiates contracts with instructors/presenters, as required. Secures written approval from the CNMI SBDCN Director for all training events prior to presentation. 
• Engages in advocacy for small business interests by developing and promoting public awareness of SBDC programs and services. Develops procedures pursuant to CNMI SBDCN Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the operations and standards of service delivery to the business community and ensures that the Rota SBDC Service Center adheres to such standards. 
• Supervises all Rota SBDC Service Center personnel. Responsible for all personnel actions and for ensuring continuous professional growth and development of self and Rota SBDC Service Center staff in accordance with the CNMI SBDCN Strategic Plan, network certification standards for SBDC personnel, the quarterly network professional development/quality improvement program, and the CNMI SBDCN SOP. 
• Actively assists in the development and implementation of the CNMI SBDCN's Strategic Plan. 
• Performs Rota SBDC Service Center administrative duties in conformance with CNMI SBDCN, SBA and ASBDC directives, regulations and policies. Performs non-SBDC related administrative duties in conformity with the directives, regulations and policies of Northern Marianas College. 
• Responsible for the design, production and distribution of SBDC related pamphlets, brochures, and audio-visual aids for small businesses. 
• Solicits private and public sector support for the SBDC program. Leverages outside public and private funding and in-kind resources for the benefit of the SBDC program. 
• Designs and coordinates programs and activities that produce collaborative efforts between the Rota SBDC Service Center and public and private sector organizations. Such collaborative efforts should be mutually beneficial and result in enhanced productivity and increased program impact 
• Coordinates the involvement of qualified college, public and private school faculty in Rota SBDC Service Center projects, as appropriate, and develops internship opportunities for college students. 
• Develops and conducts diverse outreach assistance programs which are responsive to the needs of the Rota. 
• Measures and evaluates the economic impact of the Rota SBDC Service Center program delivery in accordance with CNMI SBDCN and SBA program requirements. Prepares and submits CNMI SBDCN required management, programmatic, economic impact, and financial reports in a timely manner. 
• Prepares and submits Rota SBDC Service Center budgets for Northern Marianas College and CNMI SBDCN approval. Manages the financial resources of the Rota SBDC Service Center consistent with the policies of Northern Marianas College) in compliance with CNMI SBDCN Service Center and other funding agency agreements. 
• Works independently. Is self-motivated and goal oriented with the ability to meet deadlines and work as a team member on projects. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions of the Position

Must be able to frequently operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The individual in this position will frequently communicate with staff for various Procurement and Property situations.  Occasionally lifts office equipment, furniture’s and misc. products and supplies, weighing up to 25 Ibs.

Work Environment

The Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment may vary.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on the closing date.  Deadlines that fall on a non-business day will be extended to the next business day.

Employment application forms are available at the Human Resources Office of the College and a pdf.file can be downloaded from our website: http://www.marianas.edu using Adobe Acrobat. Please submit all application materials to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

All post-secondary education degrees must be from a U.S. Department of Education recognized and accredited institution. It is our requirement that degrees be from a U.S.-accredited college or university. Foreign degrees may be accepted when accompanied with a credential evaluation report. A listing of authorized evaluation reports can be obtained at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website at http://www.naces.org/

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification (I-9) document form upon hire. Police/court clearance will be required upon job offer.