Small Business Advocate

Agency Description
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.

Division Description
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) as outlined in the Mayor's Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery, is a dedicated team serving as a single point of contact between City agencies and small businesses operating in the five boroughs.

As part of the NYC BEST Initiative, Small Business Advocate work directly with new and operating businesses looking to open sooner and operate easier in New York City. Small Business Advocate provide insightful advice to business owners and licensed professionals, assisting them to understand and navigate relevant City policies and regulations. Small Business Advocates also connect businesses with the Compliance Advisors unit to ensure they are in compliant with the City and State’s rules and regulations prior to inspection visit.

Reporting to the Director of NYC BEST Initiatives, the specific responsibilities of the Small Business Advocate include:
- Working 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.
- Conducting research into City, and relevant NYS, codes, permits, and requirements.
- Assisting with guiding business owners through City services necessary to meet requirements for opening and operating a business by working with partner City agencies.
- Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with business owners by proactively engaging with clients and setting clear expectations regarding City requirements, timelines and next steps.
- Present agency services and relevant City services on the phone, over email, during one-on-one meetings, and at outreach events.
- Collaborate 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.
- Maintaining 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.
- Collaborating with NYC BEST to ensure all team members are meeting core milestones and policy objectives.
- 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.

How to Apply:

All Applicants: Apply through https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/ search for Job ID: # 769685

Current SBS Employees: Please email your resume and cover letter including the following subject line: Small Business Advocate and send to [email protected]

Note: We appreciate the interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

If you are unable to apply via NYC Jobs, you can email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the following in the subject line: Small Business Advocate

If you do not have access to email, mail your cover letter & resume to:
NYC Department of Small Business Services
Human Resources Unit
1 Liberty Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10006

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

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.

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.