LATINO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Position Overview

The Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3) is committed to providing minority-, women-, persons with disabilities, and veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state with equitable access to opportunities and resources. Through dynamic partnerships, targeted outreach, and tailored programs and initiatives, OE3 aims to create an inclusive business ecosystem for communities that have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry and growth. The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is seeking a passionate and experienced Latinx Business Development Specialist for OE3 to lead and enhance our engagement with the Latino business community. This role involves representing OE3, promoting economic development, and providing vital support to Latino businesses. The ideal candidate will be fluent in Spanish and have a strong background in business development and community engagement. DCEO welcomes and invites all interested candidates to apply for this exciting bilingual opportunity today!

Essential Functions

• Develops, recommends, organizes, and implements policies and programs for Latino Outreach.
• Acts as a senior field representative, executes critical assignments in providing technical assistance to Latino businesses, including areas of business and workforce development.
• Creates economic development plans that coordinate and research economic development resources and compiles information to identify economic assets and liabilities.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with business representatives and government officials.
• As a spokesperson and senior representative, travels to and conducts seminars with business representatives and local government officials.
• May support additional target populations for the office with outreach, community engagement, and research.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires the knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration. 
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
• Requires the ability to speak, read, and write Spanish fluently at a colloquial skill level.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of experience working with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce specifically in the Illinois Latino communities. 
• Prefers two (2) years of experience providing business owners one-on-one business support in both English and Spanish. 
• Prefers two (2) years of experience to communicate and conduct presentations clearly and concisely in both English and Spanish.
• Prefers one (1) of year experience in project management.
• Prefers one (1) of year experience in proven ability to create and implement economic and strategic plans.  

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license. 
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. 
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history. 
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.