Job Board

JOB TITLE: Business Program Navigator
ORGANIZATION: Cooperative Federal is a high impact CDFI Credit Union with 4 offices in the urban core of Syracuse, doing business-lending in a 5 county area, mostly to those under-served by conventional financial institutions.
GENERAL SCOPE OF ROLE:
Guide applicants through the business loan process, provide connections to business resources in the community, maintain regular contact with current business borrowers and members. Perform intake, process, and underwrite microenterprise loans. Work
with Development and Communications manager to manage current business program grants and to secure funding to support current and expanded business programming at the credit union. Help implement the credit union's public communications and
outreach strategies for business program. A sense of humor helps.
MAIN DUTIES:
1. Interview, advise, and pre‐qualify microenterprise loan applicants.
2. Serve as primary point of contact for microenterprise loan applicants, and for
applicants who need assistance in completing the business loan application.
3. Prepare underwriting and close loans according to internal policies and procedures.
4. Obtain credit reports according to established policies and procedures.
5. Monitor business loans for proper insurance coverage.
6. Perform site‐visits and regular follow‐up with business borrowers.
7. Perform regular follow‐up with business members.
8. Open business memberships and accounts, as needed.
9. Provide technical assistance and support to businesses and non‐profits in the areas
of cash flow analysis, business planning, and financial management.
10. Connect businesses and nonprofits to additional technical assistance resources
available from local agencies and other sources.
11. Ensure compliance with credit union policies and procedures and with regulatory
requirements. Adhere to high standards of confidentiality and honesty.
12. Coordinate meetings of, and provide administrative assistance to, the Business Loan
Committee; attend Committee meetings.
13. Explain reasons for denial and explore options for business members when business
loans are denied.
14. Perform liaison functions between departments to ensure efficient service.
15. Actively participate in education/outreach activities including workshops,
community events, and other sponsored initiatives; some evening and weekend
hours may be required.
16. Satisfy program evaluation and reporting requirements for business lending &
business technical assistance.
17. Work with other staff to ensure that goals for specific programs, as assigned, are
met.
18. Maintain records of grant contracts and activities related to business lending and
technical assistance activities.
19. Assist with writing proposals for grants, loan capital, and other resources that
support small business programming.
20. Provide input on potential new products and/or trends in the industry.
21. Develop and maintain referral relationships with other community organizations;
participate in marketing and communications projects.
22. Maintain a working knowledge of the credit union's data processing system.
General
1. Report to management on an ongoing basis on issues pertaining to either staff or
members which may give rise for concern.
2. Support management in the implementation of board policies and directives.
3. Participate in strategic planning; serve as a leader for activities and initiatives to
reach strategic goals and growth plan.
4. Attend trainings and meetings as required by the credit union.
5. Undertake such other reasonable and lawful duties as may be directed from time to
time by the manager.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
Three or more years of experience in at least one of the following areas:
small business/microenterprise lending or small business technical assistance,
community development finance, grant and/or nonprofit management,
entrepreneurship or business ownership.
Knowledge Requirements
1. Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of diverse
members, staff, and officials; to embrace the mission of serving the underserved.
2. Knowledge of different business structures, business planning/management
concepts, and related documentation.
3. Ability to plan and organize workload; strong attention to detail is required.
4. Ability to be creative and take risks.
5. Excellent written and verbal communications skills and a commitment to
outstanding customer service.
6. Proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
These physical requirements are representative of what is necessary for an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation
can be made to enable people to perform the described essential functions.
The Business Program Navigator is often required to sit, to stand, to walk, and to use
their hands and fingers. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 lbs.

------------------------------
Ron Ehrenreich
Authorized Representative
Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union
Syracuse NY
(315) 476-5290 x201
------------------------------