Small Business Empowerment Specialist (Bilingual English/Spanish)

Description

Position Title: Small Business Empowerment Specialist (Bilingual English/Spanish) 

Reports To: Director of Programs and Community Impact  

Supervision Requirements: None 

Hours: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt  

Starting Salary Range: $66,560 - $74,800 

BACKGROUND 

The Agricultural Institute of Marin is an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Rafael, California. AIM’s mission is to educate, inspire, and connect communities, responsible farmers and producers as part of a healthy, Earth-friendly, equitable local and regional food system. We envision a responsible food and farming system that is environmentally beneficial, economically viable, and socially just. AIM serves 400 farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from 40 California counties who participate in AIM’s Certified Farmers Markets in the cities of Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Point Reyes, San Rafael, and San Francisco. AIM also provides hands-on and virtual education programs to thousands of children and adults, operates a farm audit program, runs a mobile market for older adults and underserved communities, , and operates CalFresh/EBT and Market Match services to create a healthier, equitable food system across the San Francisco Bay Area.  

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 

AIM embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. 

Job Description:  

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced bilingual (English/Spanish) Small Business Empowerment Specialist with a strong background in small business technical support, implementing training series, grant experience, and program initiatives focused on small-to-midsize farmers, small food businesses, and direct-to-consumer marketing and sales.  The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting small businesses and farmers, resource development, and the ability to manage technical assistance programs that are grant-funded. This position will manage AIM’s Growing Success, Farmers Market Incubator Booth, and Racial Equity Fund Programs, with potential for program growth, in support of building a more equitable local food system. 

Responsibilities:  

· Provide effective training and resource development with programs tailored to the needs of the participants of AIM’s Farmers Market Incubator Booths (including farmers and food entrepreneurs), Growing Success, Farmers Market Incubator Booth, Racial Equity Fund, and future AIM programs. 

· Organize and run resource fairs to support small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area region with access to mentorship, small business advising, marketing support, and financial assistance. 

· Oversee the recruitment and selection process for Racial Equity Fund recipients, including application management, awarding stipends, and referrals to the Small Business Development Center. 

· Design and deliver training workshops in person and virtually on a variety of topics in English and Spanish with a network of subject-matter experts, peer mentors, and service providers.  

· In partnership with AIM farmers market staff, develop farmers market training curriculum to support potential and beginning farmers market participants.  

· Deliver one-on-one assistance and referrals for small-scale and BIPOC producers to partner organizations and maintain systems for tracking technical assistance and linkages.  

· Collaborate with external organizations and AIM Farmers Market Managers to select participants in the Farmers Market Incubator Booth Program and ensure they have appropriate equipment and resources for success.  

· Curate a library of training resources on the AIM website. 

· In partnership with the Director of Programs & Community Impact and the Program Grants Manager, support with management of grant-related budgets, deliverables, and evaluation data, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and reporting deadlines.  

· Collaborate with farmers, small businesses, agricultural organizations, and community partners to develop partnerships, leverage resources, and expand the reach of our small business and entrepreneurship initiatives.  

· Evaluate the effectiveness of programs through participant feedback, surveys, and assessments, and make recommendations for program improvement and expansion.  

· Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and public events to raise awareness about our mission and promote collaboration with stakeholders in the agriculture and entrepreneurship sectors.  

· Stay informed about emerging support opportunities, research findings, and best practices in small business support, and integrate relevant information into program development and delivery.  

· Attend county and smaller community meetings and support in outreach efforts to bring awareness to programs.  

· Recruit and train volunteers and interns to assist with program delivery, outreach activities, and administrative tasks. 

· Works closely with the team to build team cohesion, establish clear lines of communication, and set clear goals and objectives for the programs.  

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 

· Minimum of 3 years of experience in technical assistance and training for small-to-mid-size farmers and food entrepreneurs. 

· Ability to clearly communicate the written and spoken word with tact, diplomacy, and/or clarity, fluency in English and Spanish (bilingual), and able to read, write, and speak Spanish at full professional level proficiency preferred. 

· Bachelor’s degree in business, agriculture, education or a related field preferred.  

· Must have valid CA driver’s license and clean driving record.  

· Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills, detail oriented.  

· Ability to maintain calm, handle details and multi-task in a busy environment.  

· Public speaking to a variety of audiences.  

· Self-starter with an outgoing, bright personality with a sense of humor. 

· Energetic, active person who is also a team player who takes direction well. 

· Punctuality and attendance.  

· Strong knowledge of technical assistance methods, training programs, and resources for farmers and food entrepreneurs.  

· Experience organizing and leading training workshops and outreach events. 

· Excellence skills in building and maintaining partnerships with other service providers and food/agricultural organizations. 

· Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences through written materials, presentations, and interpersonal interactions.  

· Experience with writing grant narratives and grant reporting with government agencies, foundations, or other funding sources.  

· Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a track record of building and maintaining positive relationships with partners and stakeholders.  

· Passion for environmental sustainability, food justice, and community empowerment.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

This position requires regularly lifting 40 lbs., when loading and unloading the truck, primarily when:   

· Setting up events, resource fairs and supporting AIM events 

· Sitting, walking, standing, twisting, and bending for extended periods of time  

· Regular reaching and/or grasping using hands and/or arms.  

· Hearing and speech to converse in person and over the telephone.  

BENEFITS: 

Health insurance paid sick leave, 2 – 4 weeks paid vacation (depending on length of service), alternating 5-day/4-day workweeks, 12 paid holidays, 401k, professional training opportunities, dog-friendly office, fun and dynamic team environment.  

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP  

This position reports to the Director of Programs and Community Impact.   

AIM EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS:   

· Have an advanced knowledge in Teams, Google Suite, Outlook, and other computer programs. 

· Adhere to all AIM Health and Safety policies and procedures, as well as those related to the rules and regulations as they pertain to our customers.  

· Administer duties as defined by the AIM performance review plan within the required deadlines.  

· Attend required meetings and training as assigned.  

· Follow all administrative agency policies and procedures.  

· Must maintain strict confidentiality related to staff, Board and other AIM information.  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.