Below is a polished, modernized version that preserves the original requirements while improving organization, clarity, consistency, and readability. I also removed the HTML tags, corrected grammatical issues, consolidated duplicative vehicle requirements, and clarified the physical-demand language. Small Business Development Specialist Position Summary The Small Business Development Specialist supports individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other significant disabilities in exploring, developing, launching, and sustaining self-employment and small-business opportunities. Working within RHD’s Technology-First Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO), the Specialist combines evidence-based employment practices with entrepreneurial development, business coaching, assistive technology, and community-based economic engagement. The goal is to help individuals become successful business owners and active economic contributors. Unlike traditional vocational programs, this initiative approaches individuals with disabilities as prospective entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners. The Small Business Development Specialist helps translate each individual’s interests, talents, capabilities, and goals into commercially viable products, services, and business opportunities that promote economic participation and self-determination. The Specialist provides individualized instruction, coaching, and hands-on technical assistance throughout the entrepreneurial lifecycle, including:
- Entrepreneurial discovery
- Feasibility assessment
- Business planning
- Product and service development
- Market validation
- Business launch
- Customer acquisition
- Ongoing business operations
This position requires extensive community engagement with local businesses, customers, entrepreneurs, vendors, economic-development organizations, and community partners. The Specialist must be comfortable working independently in diverse environments and supporting individuals in real-world business settings. Daily access to a reliable vehicle and the ability to drive routinely are essential requirements of this community-based position. Major Responsibilities
- Entrepreneurial Discovery and Individualized Business Development
- Conduct person-centered entrepreneurial discovery to identify each individual’s interests, talents, strengths, support needs, resources, and business goals.
- Help individuals explore self-employment and small-business opportunities that align with their capabilities and informed choices.
- Translate individual interests and skills into viable products, services, or business concepts.
- Assess potential barriers and identify accommodations, assistive technology, natural supports, and other resources needed for success.
- Develop individualized entrepreneurial-development strategies and measurable goals.
- Small-Business Planning and Development
- Support individuals in evaluating business ideas and determining commercial feasibility.
- Assist with the development of business plans, operating strategies, budgets, and financial projections.
- Provide guidance regarding business structures, registration requirements, licenses, permits, insurance, and other applicable requirements.
- Help individuals establish pricing, identify startup expenses, project revenue, and understand basic cash-flow principles.
- Support the development of sustainable operational processes for each business.
- Connect individuals with appropriate business-development resources and professional services.
- Technology-First Entrepreneurship and Digital Business Development
- Identify and implement technology solutions that increase independence, accessibility, productivity, and business efficiency.
- Support the use of assistive technology and accessible business practices.
- Help individuals explore e-commerce, digital marketing, online sales, and other technology-enabled business models.
- Provide instruction on appropriate business software, online tools, digital platforms, and communication systems.
- Assist individuals in developing the skills necessary to operate technology-based or technology-supported businesses safely and effectively.
- Product Development, Marketing, and Sales
- Support the development, testing, refinement, and launch of products and services.
- Assist individuals with branding, merchandising, packaging, pricing, and promotional strategies.
- Conduct or support market research, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and market validation.
- Help individuals develop customer-service, sales, order-fulfillment, and inventory-management practices.
- Support participation in local markets, community events, vendor opportunities, online marketplaces, and other appropriate sales channels.
- Track business performance and help individuals adjust products, services, pricing, or marketing strategies as needed.
- Community-Based Economic Development and Business Partnerships
- Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, entrepreneurs, vendors, customers, economic-development organizations, and community partners.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, business exposure, market access, and customer engagement.
- Represent the program professionally in community and business settings.
- Promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in local economic-development initiatives.
- Develop natural supports and community connections that strengthen long-term business sustainability.
- Supported Self-Employment and Employment First Practices
- Apply Employment First, customized employment, and supported self-employment principles.
- Provide individualized instruction and support based on each person’s learning style, communication needs, and business goals.
- Promote informed choice, self-determination, dignity, and independence.
- Coordinate with individuals, families, support teams, service providers, and community partners as appropriate.
- Provide personal care to individuals receiving services when required.
- Maintain professional boundaries and support individuals in the least restrictive and most integrated settings possible.
- Service Documentation, Quality, and Fiscal Accountability
- Complete timely, accurate, and professional service documentation in accordance with organizational, program, funding, and regulatory requirements.
- Track individual progress, service outcomes, business milestones, and support needs.
- Maintain appropriate records related to business activities, expenses, revenue, and program resources.
- Protect confidential and sensitive information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
- Participate in quality-improvement activities and contribute to the achievement of program goals.
- Use organizational resources responsibly and follow applicable fiscal policies and procedures.
- Community Mobility and Field-Based Service Delivery
- Travel frequently throughout the assigned service region to provide services in homes, businesses, community settings, marketplaces, and other locations.
- Transport individuals receiving services when authorized and after satisfying all applicable RHD requirements.
- Assist individuals with safely accessing community-based business opportunities.
- Support the use of adaptive equipment, wheelchair lifts, gait belts, and other mobility-related resources when trained and required.
- Maintain flexibility in scheduling to meet individual, customer, community, and business needs.
Job Qualifications and Competencies Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Economics, Human Services, Rehabilitation, Education, or a related field is preferred but not required.
- Equivalent combinations of relevant education, professional experience, entrepreneurial experience, and demonstrated competencies may be considered.
- Experience in small-business development, entrepreneurship, business operations, marketing, sales, or workforce development is required.
- Demonstrated ability to develop business plans, evaluate market opportunities, and support basic financial planning.
- Experience supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental, or other significant disabilities is preferred.
- Experience with customized employment, supported employment, or community-based vocational services is strongly preferred.
- Experience with e-commerce, digital marketing, technology-enabled businesses, or product development is preferred.
- Experience providing personal care to individuals with disabilities is preferred or required based on program needs.
Professional Certification
- Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification must be obtained within three months of hire.
- Candidates who currently possess ACRE certification are strongly preferred.
- Successful completion of the required ACRE training and certification process within the established timeframe is a condition of continued employment.
- Additional credentials in small-business development, assistive technology, customized employment, or entrepreneurial support are desirable.
Driving and Transportation Requirements
- A valid driver’s license and daily access to a reliable, functional vehicle are required.
- The employee must be willing and able to drive routinely as an essential function of this community-based position.
- The employee must maintain a driving record that meets RHD’s established standards.
- Current vehicle registration and automobile insurance must be maintained in accordance with applicable organizational requirements.
- Frequent travel throughout the assigned service region is required.
- The employee must satisfy all additional RHD requirements before transporting individuals receiving services.
Required Competencies Small-Business and Entrepreneurial Competencies
- Business-concept development and feasibility analysis
- Market research and competitive analysis
- Business planning and operational strategy
- Product and service development
- Pricing, budgeting, and financial forecasting
- Basic bookkeeping and cash-flow management
- Branding, marketing, and customer acquisition
- E-commerce and digital business operations
- Sales, merchandising, and customer service
- Inventory management and order fulfillment
- Business registration and regulatory awareness
- Community networking and partnership development
- Business-performance measurement and continuous improvement
Employment and Disability-Support Competencies
- Person-centered planning and informed choice
- Customized employment and entrepreneurial discovery
- Systematic instruction and individualized skill development
- Assistive technology and accessible business practices
- Community integration and natural supports
- Employment First principles
- Disability rights and self-determination
- Professional documentation and regulatory compliance
- Collaborative and interdisciplinary service delivery
- Personal-care support, as needed
General Professional Competencies
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer-service skills
- Ability to establish professional relationships with individuals, families, businesses, and community partners
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in community-based environments
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other relevant business technology
- Commitment to teamwork, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development
Equipment and Technology
The employee may be required to operate or use the following:
- A personal or organizational vehicle
- Wheelchair lifts and gait belts
- Adaptive and assistive equipment
- Telephone and cellular telephone systems
- Computers, printers, copiers, calculators, and other office equipment
- Business-related software and digital communication platforms
- Home appliances and furnishings when relevant to service delivery
- Makerspace equipment, machinery, and technology platforms after receiving appropriate training
Policies and Standards The employee is expected to comply with all applicable organizational policies, regulations, and standards, including:
- RHD and affiliate policies and procedures
- The corporation’s bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
- OSHA requirements and guidelines
- Fire and safety policies and procedures
- Fiscal, office, and Human Resources policies and procedures
- HIPAA requirements and confidentiality standards
- Bloodborne-pathogen and Right-to-Know requirements
- Security policies and applicable safety practices
- Required training, supervision, and meeting expectations
The employee must maintain a professional demeanor and exercise sound judgment in all areas of responsibility. Physical Demands and Working Conditions This position requires the ability to perform community-based, office-based, and field-based work. Physical requirements may include:
- Sitting at a meeting table, workstation, or desk
- Standing and walking for varying periods
- Reaching, bending, stooping, twisting, and climbing stairs
- Driving a vehicle throughout the assigned service region
- Operating office, business, adaptive, and makerspace equipment
- Assisting individuals with mobility or personal-care needs when trained and required
- Lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
Work may be completed in offices, homes, businesses, community environments, marketplaces, and other service locations. Office environments are generally modern and well lit. Some work locations may include multiple levels with stairs or elevator access. Additional Responsibilities The statements in this job description reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the position. They are not intended to represent a complete or exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. From time to time, the employee may be asked to perform other duties that are essential to the effective operation of the program or organization. Appropriate instruction and training will be provided as necessary. Cross-training and continued professional development are important to the organization’s success. Employees are expected to expand their knowledge, remain current in their areas of responsibility, and contribute collaboratively to the success of RHD, Inperium, Inc., and the Family of Services.
