Community Development Associate

Grameen America•Elizabeth, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Development Associate (CDA) is an entry-level position responsible for growing the branch’s membership through community outreach, recruiting, and relationship-building. The CDA maintains relationships with current members and leads member-oriented activities, including loan disbursements, repayments, verifications, group meetings, and training. The role requires strong leadership, technology skills, accurate data entry, professionalism, attention to detail, time management, responsiveness, multitasking, and schedule flexibility. The position is based in Newark, New Jersey. Employees must work physically in the branch at least three days and up to five days per week, depending on branch requirements; work may also take place in the community. In response to business priorities and staffing needs, the organization may reassign the employee to another branch within a 30–40-mile radius. The schedule may include early mornings, late evenings, and weekend events to accommodate members and program activities.

Requirements

Proficiency in English.
Excellent customer service skills and strong written and verbal communication skills.
High integrity, professionalism, punctuality, discipline, and attention to detail.
Basic logical reasoning and numeric skills.
Ability to work independently and contribute as a team player.
Openness to receiving positive and negative feedback.
Flexible schedule to accommodate member availability, center meetings, information sessions, and events, including occasional early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.
High school diploma or equivalency preferred, or two years of relevant work experience required.
Two years of customer service experience.
Ability and willingness to use computers, laptops, iPads, smartphones, and similar electronic devices extensively.
Depending on location, a valid driver’s license is required.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not provided.
Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.
High school diploma or equivalency (preferred).

Responsibilities

Conduct community outreach and organizing to promote the Grameen America lending program and recruit new members.
Grow the member base to meet designated membership growth targets.
Maintain accurate documentation of member searches and recruiting activities, and follow company recruitment standards.
Set and manage member expectations concerning program participation, regular meeting attendance, and loan repayment.
Build meaningful relationships with members and provide quality customer service.
Facilitate regular virtual and in-person group meetings, modeling engagement, punctuality, and respect for participants.
Communicate with members by phone, text, email, and in person.
Provide training on business and professional development topics to support entrepreneurs.
Resolve member concerns, issues, and questions in a timely and professional manner.
Monitor loan amounts and related activities, including loan-criteria compliance, disbursements, repayment collection, and daily payment reconciliation.
Maintain accurate transaction records for member centers and the branch, including cash matching, posting, and required notifications.
Enter and track loan payments and other relevant member data in appropriate systems.
Collect and recover due loan repayments in the assigned portfolio and work with members to develop plans to address financial challenges.
Perform other related duties as assigned, which may change according to team and organizational needs.