Small Business Advocate

City of New York•New York, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is seeking a Small Business Advocate for its NYC BEST (Business Express Service Team). This team educates and advocates for entrepreneurs launching and operating storefront businesses across the five boroughs. The Advocate will leverage their knowledge of city, state, and federal regulations to help small business owners navigate licenses and permits, and to avoid or reduce fines and violations. The role involves providing insightful advice, assisting with understanding and navigating relevant City policies and regulations, and becoming an expert in the regulatory requirements of multiple agencies.

Requirements

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
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
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.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of City, State and Federal agency rules and regulations, 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).

Responsibilities

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.
Conduct 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.
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.
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.