Small Business Specialist/Loan Officer

Background

Northwest Access Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) established by and for people with disabilities. Our mission is to offer people with disabilities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho customized loans, financial coaching, and other resources to promote access to assistive technology, independence, financial resilience, and life opportunities. We envision a world where all people with disabilities have access to the resources they need to fully participate and thrive in our communities.

Our core operating values are:

Impact: We are focused and driven to deliver effective services.

Respect: We respond with compassion, creativity, and kindness to reduce barriers while upholding the dignity of those we serve.

Community-driven: We are led by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, and design solutions for diverse communities, perspectives, experiences, and circumstances.

Person-centered: We recognize that everyone has unique circumstances and collaborate with individuals, families, and other organizations to support access to community resources.

Summary

The Small Business Specialist & Loan Officer will work under the supervision of the Director of Economic Inclusion to deliver small business and self-employment supports and Opportunity Loans to people with disabilities across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with our team of Financial Coaches & Benefits Planners to support clients in working toward financial goals and pursuing opportunities. They will be responsible for underwriting business, debt consolidation, and credit-builder loans as well as providing dedicated one-on-one support directly to clients around business development.

Responsibilities

Lending: Process, underwrite, and close Opportunity Loans for the purposes of business or self-employment, debt consolidation, or credit building.

• Perform prudent underwriting by evaluating and interpreting applicant credit report, bank statements, tax returns, and budget to determine whether the applicant has the ability to repay the loan and meets internal underwriting standards.
• Ensure applicant understands terms of repayment and communication expectations.
• Prepare closing documents and collect required documentation for borrower and follow up on missing elements.
• Provide applicant with timely and periodic status updates of loan application.
• Prepare credit memo and financials to present to Loan Review Committee for loan decision.
• Collect and input data and documents in relevant systems.
• Maintain client confidentiality and keep files and data in a secure manner.
• Provide information and assistance to borrowers and outside referrals where necessary.
• Maintain a culture of quality customer service at all points of contact.

Coaching: Provide technical assistance personalized to the entrepreneur.

• Talk through business ideas, providing support in considering the viability of ideas and encouragement in pursuing available options.
• Support with personal finance for loan readiness, including budgeting, building credit, and managing debt.
• Guidance on starting a business: considering licensing, business structure, and other logistical considerations.
• Support in developing a business plan.
• Assistance in building a network of support for the entrepreneur.
• Support with financial management of business, keeping business and personal finances separate.
• Education on business financial products, for example credit cards, lines of credit, SBA lending.
• Collaborate with Northwest Access Fund Benefits Planners to provide holistic business/self-employment support to clients accessing public benefits.
• Refer to network partners for support in more specialized areas (such as legal issues, tax preparation, and business scaling).
• Maintain accurate program records in database.

Outreach: Build relationships in the community to increase awareness of services and develop/maintain referral partners

• Attend meetings, events, and conferences to represent Northwest Access Fund.
• Maintain effective working relationships with peer organizations.
• Build familiarity with small business resources across tristate service area.

Requirements

Education and Experience

We anticipate the ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in loan underwriting.
• Experience in small business ownership or development.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with working with disability communities and BIPOC communities.
• Bachelor’s degree, equivalent experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and/or experience with financial education or coaching.
• Knowledge and/or experience with federal disability benefits and work incentive programs.
• Multilingual with Spanish fluency preferred.

Core Competencies

We anticipate that to be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will need:

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills and a non-judgmental, positive, problem-solving attitude;
• Ability to effectively collaborate with diverse constituent populations, including seniors and disability communities, BIPOC communities, rural communities, and LGBTQ+ communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to learn quickly, work independently, and handle multiple tasks efficiently with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to provide an exceptional level of customer service: in person, by email, and over the phone.
• Interest in learning and professional growth.
• Ability to maintain detailed case notes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Ability to learn new data systems.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• All staff work remotely from home, with in-person meetings and outreach activities as public health allows.
• Valid driver’s license preferred, and reliable transportation required.
• Primarily works in standard office conditions and climate.
• Primarily works at a desk and computer, likely for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work occasional evenings or weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules.
• Up to 15% travel expected.

Compensation and Benefits

• The Small Business Specialist and Loan Officer role is a Grade 2. Our Grade 2 range has a minimum salary of $62,000, a mid-point salary of $71,250 and a maximum salary of $80,500. Based on experience candidates can expect an offer between the minimum and mid-point of the grade. To maintain internal equity and ensure that employees have room to grow within their grade, we will not offer higher than the mid-point of the salary grade. We review all ranges on an annual basis and when grades are adjusted (due to cost of living, inflation, and/or role re-benchmarking), so are salaries. We also offer merit increases up to the maximum salary for each grade as a part of our annual review process. If you are interested in learning more about our compensation philosophy and process, we are happy to discuss it during the interview process.
• Option of employer paid health, dental, and vision benefits for the employee, 50% coverage for dependents, Flexible Spending Accounts, and enrollment in SIMPLE IRA (matches up to 3% of salary).
• PTO: 11 holidays and 15 sick days, and starting level of 18 vacation days annually.

How to Apply

• Complete the application at nwaccessfund.bamboohr.com/careers.
• Applications will be reviewed and assessed as received until the position is filled.
• Please email Lisa Jones at [email protected] with any questions.

https://nwaccessfund.bamboohr.com/careers/25?source=aWQ9MjY%3D