eNavigator (Entrepreneur Navigator)

This is a grant-funded position. Based on the current work plan and budget, the position will likely be funded through late 2025.

Summary:

The eNavigator leads Klamath IDEA’s “ground game”, acting as a trusted guide for the entrepreneurial and small business community and helping them to navigate local and external small business resources and trainings. The eNavigator also employs active listening and networking skills to assists entrepreneurs in finding their own best answers and supporting the local entrepreneurial resource providers of the Klamath IDEA with needs assessment information to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Klamath County. It is expected that the eNavigator will work 10-20 hours per week, with additional hours as business needs require.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conduct entrepreneur visitations, using existing methodology, in collaboration with the eNavigator Team.
• Maintain orderly and accurate records of entrepreneur visitations, compiling data and needs assessment information to assist the eLeadership Team in guiding the initiative.
• Engage the eLeadership and eNavigator Teams in continuous and regular entrepreneur mapping, targeting and prioritizing for outreach and networking to resources.
• Represent Klamath IDEA through regular and consistent attendance and participation in GRO meetings, convenings, and trainings.
• Evaluate best practices in ecosystem building and entrepreneurial development shared through partner learning opportunities and execute as necessary.
• Share best practices and non-proprietary materials with partner cohorts in other communities
• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Prepare regular reports related to the ground game activity and make written and/or verbal reports and recommendations to the eNavigator team, eLeadership team and eResource partner team.
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the entrepreneurial resources offered at the local, regional, and state-wide level to ensure effective referrals.
• In coordination with team members, maintain the integrity of the data entered into SourceLink Pro®, Site Connex, and the Resource Navigator.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with external small business and entrepreneurial resources
• To the extent possible, ensure resource partners are accountable to their commitment to Klamath IDEA
• Regularly and consistently attend and participate in meetings with program cohorts from other communities with common funding partners.
• Refer clients to small business resources and training as appropriate.
• Assist with maintaining the content at KlamathIDEA.org.
• Support the Director in the marketing efforts of Klamath IDEA including writing press releases, designing print media, managing electronic communications including blogs and newsletters, and maintaining the IDEA’s social media presence.
• Recruit entrepreneurs for networking events, such as IDEA Talks.
• In coordination with the Director, coordinate/execute networking and other events such as IDEA Talks.
• Capture and document success stories and success metrics.
• Develop and sustain trusting relationships with eLeadership Team members, eResource Partners, community coordinators, champions and stakeholders.
• Occasionally engage in public speaking on behalf of Klamath IDEA.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information, sharing information only as appropriate and authorized by the client.
• Keep all scheduled client appointments.
• Champion community understanding and commitment to the Klamath IDEA entrepreneur-focused economic development plan.
• Maintain and project a positive outlook for the economic future of Klamath County and the South Central Region of Oregon.
• Adhere to Klamath IDEA’s policies, including but not limited to those related to confidentiality, conflict of interest, code of ethics, and discrimination/harassment.
• Travel within Klamath County to support entrepreneurs.
• Occasionally travel outside of Klamath County for meetings and/or professional development opportunities.
• Attend staff meetings as requested.
• Collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, staff and public from diverse cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusivity in all aspects of carrying out our work.
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.
• Perform related duties as required.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable, insured transportation
• World-class interpersonal and communication skills.
• Familiarity and comfort with the language of ventures and entrepreneurs.
• Strategic listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and leverage social and professional networks.
• Dependable, flexible, self-starting team-player.
• Able to organize, multi-task, and manage time wisely.
• Creative, able to conceptualize and articulate concepts to others.
• A strong background and interest in business and business development.
• A strong personal desire for learning and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Business ownership and/or entrepreneurial experience or appropriate subject matter expertise.
• A strong personal and professional interest in Klamath County, Oregon.
• Experience with and openness to working as a member of a team within an entrepreneurial resource network.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business related field or equivalent combination of business ownership and education.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have computer and technology proficiency including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, MailChimp, database and social media as well as a willingness to adapt to new technologies.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Current driver’s license and access to reliable transportation

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.