Position Purpose
The Rural Business Development Specialist is responsible for technical assistance, grant writing and loan package preparation to agricultural producers and other rural businesses, including cooperative businesses, in order to obtain resources to develop their operations. There is particular emphasis on creating a robust local food system and assisting with energy-related investments.
Key Accountabilities
Under the general supervision of The Kohala Center Associate Vice President for Programs, the incumbent will work with Kohala Center staff and rural businesses state-wide to:
• Provide general technical assistance, business planning, other capacity-building services to existing and forming rural and cooperative small businesses.
• Provide outreach and community education to inform rural businesses, coops, and agricultural producers about potential funding opportunities.
• Recruit rural small businesses, agricultural producers, and cooperatives who are ready to seek funding and assist them in creating and submitting high quality competitive grant proposals and or loan applications.
• Manage micro-loan programs for small rural businesses, coops, and agricultural producers.
• Keep careful records of applications submitted and grants/loans obtained in order to create reports to relevant Kohala Center funders.
• Keep careful records of grant writing/loan preparation program expenses that are aligned with the program’s budget.
• Additional duties as assigned by senior Kohala Center staff members.
Position Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Proven knowledge and skills involved in complex grant proposal and loan package preparation, with a track record of success in obtaining significant funding from the USDA or other comparable agencies and foundations.
• Excellent business management and accounting knowledge sufficient to prepare business plans and business budget projections.
• Basic knowledge about agricultural businesses and food system value chain development.
• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills required.
• Proven ability to interact positively with a wide variety of people in divergent forums, to lead classes and present lectures, and to represent The Kohala Center in professional gatherings.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
Experience
• Three or more years of documented experience in business planning, business development, accounting or other relevant business position.
Education
• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or other Master’s degree preferred
Working Conditions
• Work is performed in both an office setting and in various client and community locales.
• This is a full-time exempt position and work hours are not limited to an 8 to 5 workday or a Monday through Friday schedule.
• This position requires mobility; employee must provide her/his own reliable transportation and be willing to travel inter-island on a regular basis.
