Small Business Advocate
NYC Jobs, New York, NY, United States
NYC BEST Small Business Advocate
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is a vibrant, client-centered agency whose mission is to serve New York's small businesses, jobseekers and commercial districts. SBS makes it easier for companies in New York City to start, operate, and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, supporting commercial districts, promoting financial and economic opportunity among minority- and women-owned businesses, preparing New Yorkers for jobs, and linking employers with a skilled and qualified workforce. SBS continues to reach for higher professional standards through innovative systems, new approaches to government, and a strong focus on its employees. SBS also works to make changes to the overall regulatory environment to help the small business community. The Division of Business Services (DBS) is dedicated to helping NYC businesses start, operate and expand in New York City while leading systemic change to improve the regulatory environment for businesses. The Division is guided by principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Job Description: NYC BEST (Business Express Service Team) is a dedicated team who educate and advocate for entrepreneurs as they launch and operate their store front businesses across the five boroughs. Through their knowledge of city, state and federal agency rules and regulations, the team helps small business owners navigate licenses and permits as well as avoid and reduce fines and violations. The NYC BEST Small Business Advocate will work directly with new and operating storefront businesses in New York City. The NYC BEST Small Business Advocate will provide insightful advice to business owners and licensed professionals, assisting them with understanding and navigating relevant City policies and regulations. To facilitate this work, NYC BEST Small Business Advocates will become experts in the regulatory requirements of multiple City or State agencies, as well as relevant Federal regulations as needed, including but not limited to: the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Buildings (DOB), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP) and New York State Agriculture and Markets (Ags and Market) and State Liquor Authority (SLA). The specific responsibilities of the Small Business Advocate include: Service Delivery - Work with business owners to identify all City requirements for operating or opening a business, understand specific issues or concerns impacting the client, and provide guidance, information or steps towards resolution. Explain the sequence of activities businesses should follow to meet regulatory requirements. Assist with guiding business owners through City services necessary to meet requirements for opening and operating a business by working with partner City agencies. Establish and maintain positive relationships with business owners by providing the best possible customer service, proactively engaging with clients, setting clear expectations regarding City, State, and Federal requirements, including City requirements, timelines and next steps. Subject Matter Research - Conducting research into City, and relevant NYS, codes, permits, and requirements. Conduct research into rules and regulations of business industries, as assigned Support deepening NYC BEST's impact to storefront small business by proposing areas for improvement and development Support internal trainings or knowledge-sharing sessions related to regulatory changes or agency processes. Performance Management - Ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & program goals are met, and that data is correctly entered in SBS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software Maintain accurate and specific status reports in the designated software or data analysis tools of establishments participating in these services, including inspection activity, plan examination, issues encountered, opening dates, and time saved. Utilize tracking systems to monitor service delivery and monitor client pipeline Track performance metrics such as project milestones, business openings, and operational efficiencies. Report KPIs on a regular basis for Executive-level staff through Dashboards, reports and presentations Engagement and Pipeline Management - Proactively identify and engage entrepreneurs at early stages of business development to provide regulatory guidance before licensing and permitting applications are submitted. Present agency services and relevant City services on the phone, over email, during one-on-one meetings, and at outreach events. Support pipeline development by identifying potential clients through outreach events, community partnerships, and referrals from City agencies and community-based organizations. Support collaboration with all City agencies and their respective personnel to identify solutions for NYC's business community, especially working with the team at SBS dedicated to programming to help businesses launch. Assist other initiatives and programs in the agency toward shared goals as required Assist the senior leadership team with pipeline building projects, activities, and relationship management with key private and public partners. Lead given projects and travel to meetings or events within the five boroughs and to be available for evening and weekend events. Participate in community events and forums to represent NYC BEST and increase awareness of City services for entrepreneurs. Minimum Qualifications: 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or 2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above. Preferred Skills: - At least two years of customer service and/or experience that demonstrates a proven record of helping individuals, clients and/or business owners. - At least two years of business development (B2B or B2C) working with new businesses, as well as operating. - An understanding of issues concerning the establishment and operation of a business in New York City. - An understanding of New York City's operational agencies, including the ability to identify which agencies are relevant to a business's concern via conversations with the business owner. - Management and/or administrative experience including handling of business or economic development programs. - Strong interpersonal skills: ability to interact positively with business owners, ask questions to understand the core issues facing the business, identify information to be researched, and build trust during the conversation. - Ability to research, understand, catalogue, and maintain information related to all City codes, permits, and requirements that impact a new business in NYC. - Ability to coordinate and communicate between business clients, other agencies, and internal stakeholders while balancing requirements and resources to solve business needs. - Flexibility, multi-tasking capability, and enthusiastic work ethic. - Strong written, verbal communication and data analysis skills. - Additional language capacity. Preferred fluency or working knowledge of Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Russian, Korean, Polish, Haitian Creole, or French. - Knowledge of MS Office (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access). Residency Requirement: New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview. Additional Information: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is a vibrant, client-centered agency whose mission is to serve New York's small businesses, jobseekers and commercial districts. SBS makes it easier for companies in New York City to start, operate, and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, supporting commercial districts, promoting financial and economic opportunity among minority- and women-owned businesses, preparing New Yorkers for jobs, and linking employers with a skilled and qualified workforce. SBS continues to reach for higher professional standards through innovative systems, new approaches to government, and a strong focus on its employees. SBS also works to make changes to the overall regulatory environment to help the small business community. The Division of Business Services (DBS) is dedicated to helping NYC businesses start, operate and expand in New York City while leading systemic change to improve the regulatory environment for businesses. The Division is guided by principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Job Description: NYC BEST (Business Express Service Team) is a dedicated team who educate and advocate for entrepreneurs as they launch and operate their store front businesses across the five boroughs. Through their knowledge of city, state and federal agency rules and regulations, the team helps small business owners navigate licenses and permits as well as avoid and reduce fines and violations. The NYC BEST Small Business Advocate will work directly with new and operating storefront businesses in New York City. The NYC BEST Small Business Advocate will provide insightful advice to business owners and licensed professionals, assisting them with understanding and navigating relevant City policies and regulations. To facilitate this work, NYC BEST Small Business Advocates will become experts in the regulatory requirements of multiple City or State agencies, as well as relevant Federal regulations as needed, including but not limited to: the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Buildings (DOB), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP) and New York State Agriculture and Markets (Ags and Market) and State Liquor Authority (SLA). The specific responsibilities of the Small Business Advocate include: Service Delivery - Work with business owners to identify all City requirements for operating or opening a business, understand specific issues or concerns impacting the client, and provide guidance, information or steps towards resolution. Explain the sequence of activities businesses should follow to meet regulatory requirements. Assist with guiding business owners through City services necessary to meet requirements for opening and operating a business by working with partner City agencies. Establish and maintain positive relationships with business owners by providing the best possible customer service, proactively engaging with clients, setting clear expectations regarding City, State, and Federal requirements, including City requirements, timelines and next steps. Subject Matter Research - Conducting research into City, and relevant NYS, codes, permits, and requirements. Conduct research into rules and regulations of business industries, as assigned Support deepening NYC BEST's impact to storefront small business by proposing areas for improvement and development Support internal trainings or knowledge-sharing sessions related to regulatory changes or agency processes. Performance Management - Ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & program goals are met, and that data is correctly entered in SBS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software Maintain accurate and specific status reports in the designated software or data analysis tools of establishments participating in these services, including inspection activity, plan examination, issues encountered, opening dates, and time saved. Utilize tracking systems to monitor service delivery and monitor client pipeline Track performance metrics such as project milestones, business openings, and operational efficiencies. Report KPIs on a regular basis for Executive-level staff through Dashboards, reports and presentations Engagement and Pipeline Management - Proactively identify and engage entrepreneurs at early stages of business development to provide regulatory guidance before licensing and permitting applications are submitted. Present agency services and relevant City services on the phone, over email, during one-on-one meetings, and at outreach events. Support pipeline development by identifying potential clients through outreach events, community partnerships, and referrals from City agencies and community-based organizations. Support collaboration with all City agencies and their respective personnel to identify solutions for NYC's business community, especially working with the team at SBS dedicated to programming to help businesses launch. Assist other initiatives and programs in the agency toward shared goals as required Assist the senior leadership team with pipeline building projects, activities, and relationship management with key private and public partners. Lead given projects and travel to meetings or events within the five boroughs and to be available for evening and weekend events. Participate in community events and forums to represent NYC BEST and increase awareness of City services for entrepreneurs. Minimum Qualifications: 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or 2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above. Preferred Skills: - At least two years of customer service and/or experience that demonstrates a proven record of helping individuals, clients and/or business owners. - At least two years of business development (B2B or B2C) working with new businesses, as well as operating. - An understanding of issues concerning the establishment and operation of a business in New York City. - An understanding of New York City's operational agencies, including the ability to identify which agencies are relevant to a business's concern via conversations with the business owner. - Management and/or administrative experience including handling of business or economic development programs. - Strong interpersonal skills: ability to interact positively with business owners, ask questions to understand the core issues facing the business, identify information to be researched, and build trust during the conversation. - Ability to research, understand, catalogue, and maintain information related to all City codes, permits, and requirements that impact a new business in NYC. - Ability to coordinate and communicate between business clients, other agencies, and internal stakeholders while balancing requirements and resources to solve business needs. - Flexibility, multi-tasking capability, and enthusiastic work ethic. - Strong written, verbal communication and data analysis skills. - Additional language capacity. Preferred fluency or working knowledge of Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Russian, Korean, Polish, Haitian Creole, or French. - Knowledge of MS Office (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access). Residency Requirement: New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview. Additional Information: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.