Business Assistance Specialist, Northern Tier

University of Scranton, Department of Communication & Media; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Scranton’s Small Business Development Center seeks a Business Assistance Specialist to serve four-county Northern Tier clients. You will deliver hands-on guidance, workshops, and coaching to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, helping with planning, budgeting, and accessing resources.

Travel to local communities, evenings and weekends included. Required bachelor’s degree; master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business, communications, education, social sciences, or related field.
• Masters Degree is preferred.
• Experience in client-facing roles such as advising, coaching, education, workforce development, community outreach, or small business support.

Responsibilities

• Provides hands-on assistance in foundational business areas including financial literacy, business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, and other essential practices.
• Assists clients in navigating early-stage business development, operational barriers, and access to resources.
• Conducts outreach and community engagement with local organizations, partners, and stakeholders to raise awareness of small business resources.

Skills

Strong communication

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, education, social sciences, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Business Assistance Specialist, Northern Tier Non-Discrimination Statement

The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, ethnicity, family responsibilities, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment.

About

The University will promptly address reports of discrimination under the University Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy (NDAH Policy) or the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy (SHSM Policy). Anyone who has questions about the above referenced policies, or wishes to report a possible violation of one of the policies should contact: Elizabeth M. Garcia Title IX Coordinator Office of Institutional Compliance & Title IX Institute of Molecular Biology & Medicine, Suite 315. Contact: [e-mail] [phone]. https://www.scranton.edu/compliance-titleix/ The University of Scranton is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator.

University Mission

The University of Scranton is a Catholic and Jesuit university animated by the spiritual vision of Saint Ignatius Loyola, a tradition of excellence, and a commitment to the common good. The University is a community dedicated to the formation of students, and to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to the growth in wisdom and integrity of all who share its life.

Department Small Business Development Center Job Purpose

This position will provide hands-on business assistance and community outreach to aspiring and existing small business owners through the SBDC-led Business Assistance Service Centers, with a focus on supporting clients in accessing resources and information needed to start or strengthen a business. The appointment for this position is scheduled through June 30, 2027 with a possible extension through September 30, 2027.

Essential Duties

• Provides hands-on assistance and step-by-step guidance to aspiring and existing small business owners in foundational business areas including financial literacy, business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, and other essential business practices.
• Assists clients in navigating early-stage business development, operational barriers, and access to resources through practical, individualized support.
• Conducts outreach and community engagement with local organizations, partners, and stakeholders to increase awareness of small business resources and services.
• Supports clients with microgrant applications by helping them navigate program requirements and assemble supporting documentation.
• Works collaboratively with SBDC staff and external partners to connect clients to appropriate consulting, training, and specialized services as their needs evolve.
• Develops and delivers workshops, presentations, and training programs on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and core small business topics, including coordinating guest speakers and subject matter experts as appropriate.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with internal departments, community organizations, resource partners, and stakeholders to support program goals.
• Requires frequent travel throughout a four-county Northern Tier service area, with occasional travel to the SBDC office in Scranton and other locations within Pennsylvania; position includes significant field-based work and a flexible schedule with regular evening and weekend hours to support outreach, training, and community engagement.
• Meets all deliverables and reporting requirements established by the Director, including those necessary for funding, grant, and contractual compliance.

Additional Skills Required

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide clear, structured, step-by-step guidance in a client-facing environment
• Ability to effectively deliver presentations, workshops, and training sessions to small and large groups
• Strong written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities with minimal supervision in a field-based environment
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships within the business and community environment
• Proficiency with standard business software and digital tools
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time
• The ability to uphold human dignity and respect by recognizing each person’s worth, valuing diverse perspectives, and treating others with kindness, fairness, and empathy
• Must be able to respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission

Minimum Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in business, communications, education, social sciences, or related field
• Masters Degree is preferred

Preferred Education Minimum Job Experience Requirements

• Experience in client-facing roles such as advising, coaching, education, workforce development, community outreach, or small business support
• Demonstrated interest in small business development, with ability to learn and apply foundational business concepts in a client-facing setting
• Experience in entrepreneurship, small business operations, or small business ownership preferred

Preferred Qualifications Years of Experience 0 University Classification Professional FLSA Classification Exempt Schedule/Work Hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional hours as required. Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Annual Schedule 12