Program Manager for Technical Assistance

Background

Spruce Root Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) creating a sustainable future for Southeast Alaska’s people, communities, and environment. We are shifting the paradigms of power to support localized economies grounded in Indigenous values and ways of living. Spruce Root is a team of ambitious people dedicated to a new way of working in our region; working collaboratively with others, prioritizing family and wellbeing, and honoring our ancestors while building for the future. As a certified Native CDFI, Spruce Root provides financing and technical assistance to individuals in Southeast Alaska. Other programs include Path to Prosperity, workforce development, community planning and facilitation, and administration of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) and the Seacoast Trust.

Summary

In conjunction with the Spruce Root, Inc. team, the Program Manager is responsible for identification, development, and management of projects and initiatives that improve the economic condition of individuals in Southeast Alaska. As a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Spruce Root provides financing and technical assistance to individuals in Southeast Alaska. This position will lead the development and deployment of the Financial Wellness course. Fundamental to our work is a holistic approach to working with members of the community in building their financial literacy, through which we assist diverse community members to better understand the financial and the emotional/cognitive aspects of money management, facilitate spaces to assist our clients in setting and achieving their financial goals, and leverage financial resources and programs such as credit builder cards and consumer loan programs to help clients achieve their financial goals. 

The primary function of the Program Manager of Technical Assistance is to provide technical assistance to individuals looking to improve their financial literacy, gain access to financing, and build their wealth through one-on-one client coaching and group training programs. The Program manager must have, or be willing to obtain, the skills needed to assist individuals in budgeting, financial problem solving, consumer credit, the sources and solutions of delinquent debt, consumer protection legislation, wealth management and wealth building strategies, emotional/cognitive behaviors or mindsets around money behaviors, and goal setting. The Program Manager will directly manage projects, clients, partnerships, and programs within the CDFI.  

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals through one-on-one coaching sessions in developing personal financial goals, budgets, address credit and other debt challenges, manage wealth, and create and implement wealth building strategies.
• Provide high quality in-person and virtual business client support services.
• Lead the creation and implementation of financial wellness group training programs, including developing curriculum, facilitating group training sessions, and managing team support of the project.
• Develop high-quality educational materials for coaching clients and group training events.
• Conduct introductory meetings for new clients, explaining Spruce Root’s programs and services and next steps to program enrollment.
• Assist with the development and execution of outreach strategies for Spruce Root’s programs and services to communicate upcoming opportunities to potential clients.
• Conduct follow-ups with clients as needed to promote ongoing program engagement.
• Work with Spruce Root leadership to develop and implement the Spruce Root strategic plan.
• Generate new loan opportunities for the loan program through client support services.
• Perform related duties, loan program support and complete special or directed projects as assigned.
• Responsible for grant writing and grant reporting to various program funders.
• May require frequent travel throughout the region.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

General Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, education, or a related field.
• Have or be willing to obtain a Credit Counselor Certification from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors or equivalent.
• Experience working or living in Southeast Alaskan communities.
• Ability to initiate and develop budgets and personal financial goals and other improvement strategies. 
• Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction, particularly in ambiguous settings and in remote working or blended environments.
• Managerial skills: leading, planning, organizing, controlling and administering.
• Experience teaching, coaching, or assisting individuals to understand new concepts and to create and accomplish their goals.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external agencies and philanthropic/impact investment partners to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving, and results.
• Strong personal passion for Spruce Root’s mission.

Preferred (not required)  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• ​Working knowledge of curriculum development and group facilitation techniques.
• Working knowledge of mission driven, non-profit entities.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) and ability to speak in public settings.
• Experience developing, implementing, leading and managing projects with cross-functional teams.
• ​Experience working in community & economic development.

Additional Requirements: ​

Position is subject to satisfactory completion of a background check, and reference check. A valid driver’s license is also required for this position.  

Physical Demands and Work Environment: ​

The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• ​Physical demands: ​While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; bending or crouching; talk or hear. The employee must be able to lift/carry and/or move up to 30 pounds safely. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• ​Work Environment: ​While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions and other elements prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. This job requires regular travel in commercial planes, AMHS ferries, float planes, and twin engine planes.

Compensation and Benefits

$60,000-75,000 DOE

This position is salaried, commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave, wellness leave, 12 weeks of sabbatical leave after five years of service, and professional development.  

With the goal of providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, Spruce Root, Inc. bases its employment decisions on merit, qualifications, and abilities.  With the important exception of its commitment to hiring Alaska Natives and Sealaska Corporation shareholders and their family members, Spruce Root, Inc. does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law.  Spruce Root, Inc.’s commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in the operations of Spruce Root, Inc., and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Spruce Root, Inc., including supervisors and coworkers. 

Spruce Root, Inc. has affiliations with Sealaska Corporation, a Native Regional Corporation established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).  As permitted by law, Spruce Root, Inc. promotes employment opportunities for Alaska Natives and Sealaska Corporation shareholders and their spouses and descendants by giving them preference in hiring.  

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to  accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.  

How to Apply

This position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Send an email to aldyn@spruceroot.org with the subject line “TA Program Manager – [YOUR NAME].”  

In the email, please include the following as a single PDF attachment:  

• Your resume 
• 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in the organization and position 
• List of 3 professional references with contact information and relationship to you 
• Short answers to the following questions: 
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years and how will this position support you on that path? 
  • Spruce Root conducts background checks, is there anything you want to share with us about your background? 

In the body of the email, please also copy and paste the content of your short answers and include your name, phone number, and email address. As attention to detail is critical for success  in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.  

For questions regarding the position, please reach out to Aldyn Brudie at aldyn@spruceroot.org.