Certification & Outreach Specialist I

Position Overview

We are looking for a full-time entry-level Certification & Outreach Specialist I. The Certification & Outreach Specialist I is responsible for protecting the integrity of small business certification programs by ensuring that only qualified business enterprises are certified. The position also assists interested businesses in learning more about certification and the process through various outreach efforts.

Position Details

Department/Team: Consulting

Location: Hybrid (Work from Home / Some in Person Meetings and Events)

Hours: Full-time 40 hours / week. 

Salary Range: $18-25/hour (based on experience) 

Applicant State of Residence: Minnesota

What You Will Do on the Job

• Audit all certification applications (new, reciprocal, and re-certifications) to determine program eligibility, reviews requests for certification based on agreements with other certifying bodies, and reviews classification code amendment requests;

• Analyze the application form and the accompanying documentation supplied by the applicant and requests missing or additional information from the applicant as necessary;

• May conduct phone interviews or in person interviews of business owners and conduct site visits of applicant firms to confirm application information and to determine program eligibility;

• Prepare necessary reports to document findings of fact and to make recommendations, references the governing procedures and policies to support findings;

• Present findings and recommendations to the Certification Review Team and participates in team decision making;

• Prepares preliminary denial letters as needed for the review of the team leads;

• Serve as a witness at hearings appealing denial decisions;

• Identify and assign appropriate industry classification codes for eligible firms;

• Prepare correspondence to internal and external customers regarding program information;

• Communicate with internal and external customers in writing and via phone, fax, e-mail, and in- person;

• Confer with co-workers and supervisor regarding certification issues;

• Enter requisite application information into electronic database;

• Create and/or present program information for workshops, seminars, etc.

• Manage recurring virtual and in person certification applicant workshops and outreach events with businesses and others in the field.

• Provide training and technical assistance on topics related to Strong & Starlike’s consulting and educational services.

• Collaborate with project team members to develop high-impact insights and recommendations in response to real-world questions brought to us by clients and/or challenges facing the broader field.

• Make recommendations to leadership for streamlining systems and processes.

• Respond to customer service calls, questions, and messages within customer service standard timelines set by clients.

• Creating materials for community engagements and facilitating such engagements.

• Perform all work in a culturally responsive manner consistent with Strong & Starlike’s mission.

• Complete special projects as assigned;

• Other duties as directed based on the needs of the organization and assigned by management