Join Our Team

Small Business Program Associate (Full-Time)

About the Position:

Chhaya seeks an energetic and dynamic Small Business Program Associate to engage in its Small Business Program. Chhaya’s Small Business Program works to promote, protect, and preserve the immigrant-owned and immigrant-serving small businesses in New York City. The Program Associate will work with small business owners and other stakeholders to prevent the dislocation of culturally-significant commercial spaces from the neighborhood, which is facing rapid gentrification resulting in residential, commercial, and cultural displacement. 

The Small Business Program Associate will help Chhaya CDC deliver commercial revitalization programs and services as the organization expands its services. This is a critical time in the progression of the program as Chhaya seeks to build out its technical assistance capabilities and program measurement over the next 2-3 years. The Program Associate will work in partnership with the Small Business Organizer (open position) and the organization’s leadership to assist local Jackson Heights businesses and work on other projects to address the needs of immigrant-owned small businesses. 

This position will report temporarily to the Director of Programs. This position will eventually report to the Associate Director of Programs (ADP), Asset Building and Small Business (currently this ADP role is open).

About Chhaya:

Chhaya is the only South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Community Development Corporation (CDC) in the nation. Our mission is to build community power, housing stability, and economic well-being of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities in New York. Since our founding in 2000, Chhaya has helped prevent hundreds of foreclosures; assisted first-time homebuyers in obtaining thousands of dollars in down-payment assistance, led the basement legalization campaign in New York City, provided individuals with key immigration services to better navigate daily life, empowered families with financial management tools and skills, and fostered the civic engagement of thousands of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers. As a leader in New York City’s housing and economic justice sector, Chhaya is poised for significant organizational growth and development. Our main office is in Jackson Heights and we have a second location in Richmond Hill – two neighborhoods with vibrant South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement and evaluate small business campaigns in targeted neighborhoods including but not limited to business support and retention, technical assistance, and public space activation
• Assess neighborhood conditions and needs by gathering and analyzing commercial district data; 
• Facilitate conversations with a wide range of stakeholders on a range of complex issues and projects that impact the South Asian commercial corridor of 74th Street in Jackson Heights and other target areas
• Partner with the Small Business team and Chhaya leadership to strategize about creative ways to address the needs of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean businesses in Queens and throughout New York City
• Liaise regularly with multiple City agencies to leverage resources and acquire the necessary support for projects and initiatives
• Engage community stakeholders and partner organizations in designated commercial corridor efforts
• Track and measure program metrics and impact
• Connect with stakeholders, including electeds, city officials, community leaders, partner organizations, and funding partners,  to attain additional economic development resources for immigrant owned small businesses
• Other responsibilities, as required

As a member of the Chhaya staff, additional responsibilities may be added related to special events, critical initiatives, and other special cases that require full staff participation (some evenings and weekends). Further, as a Chhaya team-member, it is every employee’s responsibility to help further the organization’s mission by building a work-culture centered around ownership, accountability, fairness, inclusiveness, and fun.

Qualifications:

• Two or more years of experience with commercial revitalization, community nonprofits, community-based planning and organizing, and/or neighborhood development issues
• Familiarity with Queens and its South Asian communities
• Fluent in English and Bangla, Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, Tibetan or another South Asian language is required
• Commitment to engaging diverse constituents in low- and moderate-income communities
• Interested in understanding the different perspectives and needs of diverse community stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strong relationships with governmental agencies, elected officials, non-profit organizations and other community groups
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, and provide timely and clear updates to supervisors
• Ability to work in an organized, efficient manner with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through
• Ability to complete tasks and project with tight deadlines
• Demonstrate a passion and commitment to creating and maintaining strong, vibrant neighborhoods and commercial corridors
• An ability to be flexible and willingness to wear “multiple hats” if and when needed
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work some weekends and evenings, if needed
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office and GSuite applications, including Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets and PowerPoint/Slides
• Experience with and knowledge of digital/social media marketing and campaigns, preferred
• Experience working with populations with limited English and/or computer proficiency, preferred
• Sense of humor – a plus

Salary Range:

 $45,000 – $50,000

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, two references, and a brief writing sample to careers@chhayacdc.org with the subject line “Small Business Program Associate – Application”.

Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2021.

Note:

This is a bargaining unit position with the Transport Workers Union, TWU. 

Chhaya CDC is an equal opportunity organization that celebrates and embraces diversity. Chhaya does not discriminate on the basis of caste, race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or any other identities covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need.