JOB TITLE: SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN, DEP

JOB CODE: 28595

DEFINITION: This is professional administrative work directing the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) small business assistance, advocacy, and outreach activities.

The employee in this job serves as DEP’s small business ombudsman and as the primary confidential point of contact for small business owners and operators (businesses with 100 or fewer employees), providing consultation on regulatory compliance, pollution prevention, and environmental management systems. Work involves developing and implementing policies, procedures, and initiatives that support small business interests related to environmental regulations and pollution prevention, and developing and implementing economic development policies and initiatives that encourage strategic environmental management techniques. Work includes receiving and responding to requests for assistance or complaints from the small business community about agency programs and personnel, and working with department executive, program, and legislative staff to resolve issues where regulations may place disproportionate burdens on small businesses. Work also includes establishing relationships with the small business community to assess needs, coordinating with state agencies and other partners on funding and outreach programs, and representing the department in state and national forums on small business environmental policy, regulatory compliance, and related issues. Work is assigned by the Director, External Affairs Office in the form of broad goals, objectives, and special assignments and is reviewed through meetings and reports for program quality and the attainment of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Develops objectives, policies, and action plans for small business assistance programs, and recommends department-wide policy changes affecting the small business community.

• Reviews proposed legislation and regulatory initiatives to assess and communicate impacts on the small business community.

• Conducts confidential reviews of complaints from small business owners regarding the application of environmental regulations, policies, and procedures by agency programs.

• Provides advocacy, mediation services, and compliance assistance to small businesses in coordination with the Bureau of Air Quality and the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee.

• Coordinates with the department’s technical assistance consultant and other partners to support outreach and information sharing on environmental compliance and pollution prevention initiatives.

• Develops and coordinates outreach activities to provide information to the small business community on environmental compliance, including seminars, webinars, and publications.

• Provides guidance to small businesses on funding opportunities and regulatory requirements related to environmental compliance, pollution prevention, and energy efficiency.

• Develops and delivers presentations to small business, industry, professional, and media organizations on small business assistance programs, pollution prevention initiatives, and strategic environmental management.

• Administers a DEP funded state-wide grant program and co-administers a DEP funded state-wide loan program in coordination with the Department of Community and Economic Development.

• Serves on the department's Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee and other advisory groups.

• Prepares reports and recommendations for DEP executive leadership, the state legislature, and external stakeholders on program outcomes and emerging issues.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of small business administration and management.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

• Knowledge of methods used to evaluate the impact of laws, regulations, and policies on business operations.

• Knowledge of outreach, education, and stakeholder engagement methods.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policies and procedures.

• Ability to obtain facts, organize materials, evaluate data, and develop and present recommendations.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Five years of professional business management experience that includes two years in a small business operation; and a bachelor's degree in business administration, business management, management science, marketing, public administration, management information systems, or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of professional business management experience in a small business operation.