Microenterprise Childcare Business Counselor

Background:

The IRC’s Economic Empowerment programs help newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals reach self-sufficiency by finding entry-level employment and progress to living wage jobs, learn basic financial management skills and build assets, and start small businesses.

Job Overview:

Under the supervision of the Workforce Development Manager, the Childcare Business Counselor will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation and administration of the Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development project to help refugees and immigrants in Alameda and Contra Costa counties launch home-based family childcare businesses. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead outreach and recruitment of program participants;
  • Conduct regular program orientations and assessment sessions, screen for program eligibility and enroll clients into the program;
  • Provide classroom-based family childcare and microenterprise trainings to program participants, utilizing IRC’s existing curricula as well as developing new curricula, if needed.
  • Provide one-on-one technical assistance to support clients in obtaining the State of California family childcare license and in starting a licensed family childcare business including but not limited to support with license application, business setup, state inspection, marketing and business launch;
  • Provide ongoing post-licensing technical assistance including but not limited to liaising with local resource and referral agencies and supporting with business management;
  • Participate in regular meetings with IRC departments and external partners including Community Care Licensing Agency, local Resource and Referral Agencies and Office of Refugee Resettlement;
  • Coordinate with external instructors, training providers, and/or interpreters as required;
  • Coordinate financial assistance to clients with the Workforce Development Manager and obtain all required documentation and signatures;
  • Enter relevant program activities (trainings, technical assistance touchpoints, stipend disbursements) into Efforts-to-Outcomes (ETO) IRC’s case management software;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Fluency in one of the following languages highly preferred: Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian.
• Undergraduate degree in business, early childhood development, social sciences, or related field; business or entrepreneurship experience in lieu of formal education is acceptable;
• Knowledge and experience working with refugees and/or diverse Limited English proficient populations strongly preferred;
• Knowledge and experience with an array of business topics, including marketing, management, financing, and entrepreneurship;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to make presentations in English and Spanish, Ukrainian or Russian;
• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks;
• Travel to off-site locations and client homes is required; valid Driver’s License, active and sufficient insurance and reliable transportation required;

Preferred qualifications:

• 1+ years experience in the non-profit sector strongly preferred;
  • 1+ years experience with microenterprise development or operation of a small business or other related experience strongly preferred;

Working Environment:

• Must be located in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area; Hybrid in-office and remote work schedule;
  • Office hours are scheduled as Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm with some evenings and weekends as needed for special programming and collaborative meetings

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.