Microenterprise Specialist, Presque Isle

Do you want to be part of a team that creates an empowering environment for Maine people to define and achieve their career, financial, and small business goals? If so, we have the perfect job for you! 

New Ventures Maine (NVME) has an immediate opening for a Microenterprise Specialist. This is a full-time, soft-money appointment located at the University of Presque Isle campus. The Microenterprise Specialist will coordinate and provide business and asset development training and other services to start-up and early-stage entrepreneurs for Aroostook County, and statewide online. This includes outreach, planning, and delivering microenterprise and financial education, as well as, training and assistance to individuals engaged in self-employment or microenterprise development, including low-income and non-traditional entrepreneurs. The position involves working as a team with statewide NVME and University staff, developing and maintaining resources and organizational partnerships that contribute to microenterprise development and small business success.

A full position description can be found here.

This is an ongoing soft money funded position. The continuation of this position is contingent upon funding external to the University and University needs, which has been successfully secured for the past 43 years.

NVME is a statewide education and economic development program administered through the UMA/University of Maine System. The mission of NVME is to help Maine people succeed in the changing economy and achieve economic security for themselves and their families. NVME achieves its mission by providing training and individual coaching in planning careers, starting businesses, managing money, building assets, and developing leaders.

Salary: The hiring salary range for this position is in the low to mid-40s and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, evenings and weekends as necessary, flexible work schedule with office and work from home hours.

Benefits: The University provides a highly competitive benefits package that includes: holidays, vacation, and sick time; health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; a tuition waiver program for employees and their eligible dependents; a 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% university contribution, and more. View our Benefits Information Summary to learn more.

About the University:

UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.

UMA is the third-largest public university in Maine.  In addition to its main campus in the state’s capital, UMA also serves students at its campus in Bangor (UMA Bangor) and through UMA Centers around the state. With its multiple locations and long-term expertise in online and distance learning, UMA is generally considered the University of Choice for Mainers of all ages who want to attend college without uprooting their lives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good customer service skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to organize and manage workflow, including attention to detail and deadlines
• Experience and knowledge of group process, training, and adult learning theory and practice
• Knowledge or experience in small business operation and management and personal capability
• Experience in computer applications, mobile technologies, and distance learning

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field (business administration, financial services, etc.) or equivalent experience as an owner/manager of a small business
• One or more years of experience in microenterprise development training and advising
• Understanding of business and economic development that contributes to economic security and addresses gender, racial, and other equity issues

Materials must be submitted via “Apply for Position” below. You will need to create an applicant profile and upload:

• a cover letter that fully describes your qualifications and experiences with specific reference to the required and preferred qualifications
• a resume/curriculum vitae
• contact information for three professional references.

You will also need to complete the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status form. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa Sponsorship support.

Review of applications will begin on June 5, 2023. Materials received after June 4, 2023, will be considered at the discretion of the university. 

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine at Augusta does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5748 Boudreau Hall, Room 101, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207-581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).