Business Support Specialist

The Business Support Specialist for Direct Technical Assistance will offer business coaching and technical assistance services directly to non-loan and loan clients, serving as a resource to business owners. The Specialist will work with Mountain Association staff and regional partners to support entrepreneurs and businesses by creating and/or facilitating peer and group learning opportunities and events. Administrative duties will include client intake, assessment, and orientation, setting up projects in Business Support Services systems, drafting learning plans for review, recording technical assistance time and notes, referring clients for consultations when needed, and ensuring projects are moving forward in a timely manner. The Specialist will manage assigned projects on Mountain Association’s systems in collaboration with other team members.  

This position will be posted until October 21, 2025. 

The salary range for this position is $48,477 - $63,021.

This is a hybrid position that must live within commuting distance to one of our physical office locations (Berea, Hazard, Prestonsburg).

Essential Functions & Percentage of Time: 

• Client intake, orientation & assessment: Conduct and oversee intake, orientation, and initial assessment of business owners, prospective business owners, and nonprofit organizations seeking assistance.  

• Creation of individual learning plans: Review requests for technical assistance and work with clients to align requests with program and funding requirements. Connect clients to individualized learning resources.  

• Client coaching: Provide coaching to clients and work with the BSS Director to ensure business coaching addresses technical assistance needs and requirements.  

• Direct training and technical assistance opportunities: Create learning opportunities for clients to work in a group setting. This may include peer learning, workshops, classes, online spaces for communication or more. This may include directly teaching or finding and managing teachers or existing curriculum. 

• Data tracking and evaluation: Ensure timely entry and review of client notes and time spent with clients in direct technical assistance and coaching. Deploy instruments for client/consultant feedback and experience. Follow up with customers and/or prospective customers to gain feedback for program improvement, assess their enterprise needs. Identify, recommend and implement improvements to the program. Collect data for tracking impact. 

• Project reporting: Upon request, provide project information, including quantitative data and project narrative for funding reports and other purposes.  

• Site visits: Coordinate and conduct site visits to clients, periodically. 

• Referrals to indirect consultant TA: Identify areas for indirect consultant TA that result from direct TA engagements  

• Oversee consultant TA projects: In addition to direct service project, manage overflow of consultant-based TA as needed.  Check in on projects regularly to address any problems and delays. Collect data to measure impact 

• Online project management: Set up and manage consulting projects through Mountain Association’s online systems. 

• Data tracking, evaluation, and reporting: Similar to direct TA projects, collect data, deploy instruments for client/consultant feedback, track impacts, and provide information for funding reports and other purposes.  

• Engage with Mountain Association’s journey to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for clients and coworkers. 

• Participates in Mountain Association programs and training programs as required. 

• Performs all other duties, as assigned. 

• Practices safety in all aspects of the job. 

• Participates in the strategic planning process and implements the plan as it relates to this role.  

• Provides courteous, professional services to clients and presents a positive image of Mountain Association. 

Critical Skills 

Able to manage workload including ability to understand, follow, and meet schedules; ability to prioritize, organize tasks and time, and follow up; and perform responsibilities efficiently and timely. Able to juggle multiple requests and meet multiple deadlines and can direct and monitor others to ensure goals and deadlines are met. Takes initiative and needs little supervision but is willing to ask questions and discuss complex projects. Proactive in anticipating and managing problems with projects. High detail orientation and accuracy. Can thoroughly and accurately draft informational documents such as training materials and contracts. Can effectively communicate with a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds, education, and economic levels and roles both with external and internal others. Able to communicate effectively and professionally in person, during online meetings, over the telephone, and through email. Able to work well in a team environment and as part of a team. 

Tools and Equipment 

Proficient in basic computer skills, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, web browser, Outlook (email), and Adobe 

(documents). Capable of learning basic web program administration and usage of company database programs. 

Physical Demands 

• Must be able to work proficiently with computers and other office equipment. 

• Work is primarily in an office environment (at home or a Mountain Association office) with office equipment, sitting or standing for long periods of time. 

• Occasional travel in the service region will be required. 

• Some work will be on site and may require walking, bending, stooping, crawling, and climbing stairs/ladders.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mountain Association provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap or disability in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations. 

Americans with Disabilities Act 

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case- by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. 

Required Experience, Education and Certifications:

• Experience in small business development, either as a small business owner or assisting small business owners 

• Knowledge of basic business principles including accounting, marketing, planning, etc. 

• Bachelor’s degree; experience can substitute for education. 

• 1 year of related experience is required; 3 years is preferred.