JOB LOCATION

15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Position: Small Business Advisor - Spanish/Bilingual Preferred

Note: Candidate interviews for this position will begin early 2026.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

Plans, develops, and coordinates professional support and assistance programs for small and emerging businesses to promote business and employment opportunities.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides direct advising assistance to existing and start-up businesses.
• Assists in preparing business plans and developing financing arrangements; designs, develops, and promotes small business retention and attraction programs.
• Helps create, develop, and execute training courses throughout the year
• Serves as the City’s and SBDC’s liaison to small businesses to establish ongoing communication.
• Network with community and regional economic development-related organizations on small business issues.
• Assists in developing and accomplishing operational priorities, goals, and objectives.
• Presents monthly updates and creates quarterly reports that address small business trends, training needs, utilization of available resources, and the current lending environment.
• Occasional travel (less than 10 times/year) using personal vehicle required for training sessions within Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
• Maintains detailed and accurate client notes, economic impact collection, and event participation in the SBDC Network customer database.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Experience: 

• At least 5 years of experience as a small business owner or operator, management of economic development programs, and/or small business development programs.
• Proven ability to advise both startups and established small businesses on planning, growth strategies, operations, and financial sustainability.
• Valued experience includes experience in business acquisitions or exits (buying/selling a business), and/or integrating AI and emerging technologies into small business operations.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Spanish language skills are highly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with training and facilitation
• Spanish language skills are highly preferred.

 

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and operating requirements of running a small business.
• Economic development, business plan design, and development.
• Principles of commercial lending, small business loans and financing, and municipal government operations.
• Knowledge of small business financials, which includes profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, Balance sheets, basics of bookkeeping, licensing, and basic tax guidelines.

Abilities: 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, citizens, and elected officials.
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and fulfill goals and objectives.
• Ability to assess small business training needs and develop programs to meet needs.
• Deliver effective training workshops for small businesses.
• Skilled at analyzing business financials to recommend guidance with process improvement, sales growth, funding opportunities, and future financial projections.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, training, and advising skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary physical work requiring the ability to lift a maximum of 10 pounds.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
• Vision for data analysis and reading written reports and documents.

Work Environment:

• Works in a clean, comfortable environment.
• This position may require working 1–2 days per month at a remote office location, such as Castle Rock or Englewood.
• Some evening and weekend hours will be required to facilitate training sessions and/or attend networking events.

Equipment Used: 

• Uses standard office equipment, including a personal computer.
• Uses many unique software programs to complete required duties.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.