Careers

Position Summary

We are hiring a total of 6 people for multiple locations; Bangor, Presque Isle, Auburn, Wells, Fairfield, Calais, and South Portland.

Candidates who have some, but not all of the requirements listed are encouraged to apply.

Higher Opportunities for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) and Parents as Scholars (PaS) serve participants ages 16 to 64 who are parenting, attending a post-secondary education or training program, and meet specific income criteria. Navigators assist participants in accessing the benefits provided by the HOPE and PaS Programs as well as provide wraparound supports that include connecting participants to resources needed to complete their education or training that leads to achieving employment goals.

The role of the HOPE/PaS Navigators is to play a critical role identifying and reducing obstacles that may otherwise impede participants’ progress in, or threaten the completion of, their programs of study, using knowledge of gaps and needs faced by low-income student parents. Navigators act as a liaison between DHHS and participants of the HOPE and PaS programs, sharing critical participant information with the Department when necessary. Navigators provide direct support to participants to promote Persistence and Completion and to identify and provide direct assistance to participants to ensure gaps and needs are met.

 Essential Functions

Outreach:

• Identify current students who may be eligible for and benefit from enrolling in the HOPE Program and provide prospective Participants with information on Program rules and applications.
• Contact HOPE referrals to provide information on Navigation services and determine if the Participant is interested in engaging with the Navigator.
• Contact all Participants monthly, at a minimum, for the duration of their enrollment in the HOPE Program to check-in and offer any support.
• Engagement:
• Meet with Participants who request Navigation services on an on-going basis and as frequently as is determined necessary by the Participant and Navigator
• Develop and retain a Student Success Plan (SSP), or similar plan, for Participants who choose to engage with a Navigator. The SSP should be the result of a thorough assessment and identify a plan with the Participant to reduce or eliminate gaps and needs to completing their program of study or training.
• Follow-up on Participant complaints, concerns, and absences

Support Services Coordination:

• Respond to Participants within 24-hours when a gap, need, setback, or threat to persistence becomes known and assist in resolving the issue.
• Refer Participants to HOPE or PaS Support Services, school resources, and community resources that can assist with mitigating the need.
• Act as a liaison between the HOPE Program and Participants, assisting with submitting accurate required documentation and following up to ensure supports are received.
• Support all Participants proactively.

Financial Aid Guidance and Support:

• Help Participants understand student bills, the cost of attendance, student fees, professional licensing fees, and unmet need.
• Assist Participants in completing the FAFSA as needed, and direct Participants to other sources of financial aid, grants, and scholarships.

Academic Planning:

• Support Participants with course selection/registration/course scheduling to assure students remain on track to complete their program of study and pursue the most efficient path to program completion.
• Coordinate meetings with Academic Advising, as necessary.
• Help Participants develop a class schedule that supports their various obligations.
• Advise Participants on time management and study skills.

Track Student Progress:

• Review all Participants’ academic standing and progress in their training or education program using multiple sources of available information.
• Contact all Participants identified to be at risk of not persisting or completing, assess for any potential gaps and needs, and offer support to the Participant.

Career Exploration and Planning:

• Provide coaching, planning, and exploration to support Participants in identifying a career pathway and outline a plan for pursuing their chosen career.
• Connect Participants to internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing opportunities that support their occupational goals.

Program Related and Other Duties:

• Engage with DHHS to broker new, relevant resources to HOPE/PaS participants.
• Receive training and gain proficiency with policy, rules, and statutes of the HOPE and PaS programs, and department policies and protocols.
• Comply with all data and documentation requirements in a timely fashion.
• Participate in DHHS HOPE/PaS training teams as required.
• All other duties as assigned.

 Job Requirements

• A background taking a relationship-based approach as a Student Navigator, mentor, or advisor to students in higher education and proven skills in human relations and leadership.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring abilities to maintain trust-based relationships and up-to-date participant information.
• Demonstrated experience identifying and monitoring individuals at-risk, tracking intervention plans, strategies and outcomes, and having proven skills in supervision and motivational techniques.
• Knowledge of the types of assistance programs available to low-income students and parents that include HOPE and PaS Programs, school, community, state, and federal supports.
• A demonstrated understanding of and prior experience with higher education systems and the financial aid process
• An ability to connect effectively with students and members of the community, and to make formal presentations.

Education/Experience

• Two (2) years of experience providing the ongoing encouragement and assistance needed to ensure that students persist and complete higher education credentials of value. Bachelor’s Degree with training, education, or experience in human services, social services, education, or a related field preferred.

Additional preferred experience:

• Prior experience developing partnerships with campus faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as community partners.
• General knowledge of the types of barriers faced by low-income parents and at-risk students and the existing wraparound supports, programs, and financial aid available to student parents.
• Demonstrated experience using proactive advising strategies, supporting at-risk populations, intervening, providing just-in-time assistance, and reporting outcomes.
• An understanding of and prior experience with administrative requirements and procedures of higher education, the financial aid process, and/or the career exploration process
• Prior experience facilitating students’ academic and/or social connections and connecting students with appropriate information and resources.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to establish appropriate boundaries while developing and nurturing supportive relationships with students and program participants.
• An ability to work twelve (12) months per year, communicating with participants at their convenience in the method they prefer.

 Working Conditions

The HOPE/PaS Navigator will dedicate several days a month to meeting with participants face-to-face and hosting office and drop-in hours at local universities, community colleges, and various workforce development training locations in the geographic area they serve.

General business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, though exempt positions will typically require work to be performed outside general business hours. Work is generally performed in an indoor, professional office environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen and to use a keyboard for typing. The employee is often required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must travel to various locations and be able to provide transportation.

The physical demands 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 essential functions.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to careers@emdc.org.

Position Summary

The Lending & Accounting Specialist provides financial and administrative support to the Finance and Lending Departments. This role handles day-to-day financial data entry and tasks including Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), general ledger entries, and payment processing, while executing the end-to-end processing, documentation, and closing of approved commercial loans. The Specialist serves as a key liaison between vendors, borrowers, and internal departments to ensure compliance, accurate financial reporting, and exceptional customer service.

Essential Functions

Commercial Loan Processing

• Coordinates the processing of approved new commercial loans, letters of credit, extension, modification and deferral agreements, loan advances, and any other documentation, as necessary. Reports any exceptions promptly and prior to disbursement.
• Working with the Commercial Loan Officer to prepare, acquire, and assemble documentation for commercial loans following underwriting guidelines and policies.
• Assists other departments with lending related functions including regulatory reporting and special projects.
• Maintains the commercial loan filing system.
• Reviews loans in process for accuracy, technical exceptions and adherence to policies, laws, and regulations; reports exceptions to immediate supervisor and/or Commercial Loan Officer.
• Coordinates loan closings with Commercial Loan Officer and disburses loan proceeds.
• Ensures documents are recorded and legal filings complete.
• Updates records and verifies that files are complete and accurate.
• Prepares transactions, reports, correspondence, memos, and performs other clerical/administrative duties in an accurate manner.
• Attend meetings to discuss complex commercial transactions and/or review pending loans.
• Responds to internal and external inquiries regarding the status of loans in process, technical exceptions, loan documents, and other lending-related questions.
• Consistently demonstrates proficiency in providing exemplary customer service in person and by telephone. Maintains a friendly, positive, and professional attitude. Resolves difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Advises Loan Officer of problems with procedures, policies, improper calculations, deadlines, and other
• Corresponds with borrowers regarding missed payments, lapses in insurance, annual collection of taxes, and any other matters as required.
• Assembles black books and all other loan files.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

General Accounting

• Assist with day-to-day processes for Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR).
• Assist with accurate financial records and ensure compliance with internal policies.
• Prepare new and reconcile outstanding Purchase Orders (PO).
• Assist with performing account reconciliations and general ledger entries.
• Assist in month-end procedures.
• Support the accounting department with various administrative and reporting tasks.
• Review and route invoices for approval.
• Review and process invoices with purchase orders, including attaching all supporting documentation to invoice.
• Code items such as invoices, vouchers, expense reports, check requests, etc., with correct account codes conforming to EMDC’s standard procedures to ensure proper entry into the financial system.
• Communicate with vendors, customers and internal departments as needed including notification of payments, resolving discrepancies, and setting up new vendors in accounting system.
• Investigate and resolve problems associated with processing invoices.
• Assist with preparing check runs, wire transfers, bank transfers and ACH payments.
• Assist with preparing various status reports and monthly closings.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Requires strong and effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Requires excellent relationship and customer service skills.
• Requires the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Requires the ability to read and interpret legal documents.
• Requires the ability to gather and track information.
• Requires proven analytic and critical thinking skills.
• Requires the ability to be highly accurate.
• Requires excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Requires adherence to best practice data management processes.
• Requires adherence to prescribed operations manuals, internal controls, and other compliance-approved processes and workflows.
• Requires proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office programs, third-party payment processing and reconciliation, and general ledger accounting programs.
• Requires participation in criminal record and employment history review in accordance with the Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines.

Core Competencies

• Computer skills – Proficient in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, learns new programs quickly, and uses computers to improve productivity.
• Critical thinking- Uses logic and reasoning to identify and evaluate scenarios, solutions and approaches to problems.
• Customer service – Handles customer, vendor, and colleague questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, and maintains pleasant and professional image.
• Dependability – Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, adapts to changes, sets personal accountability standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
• Integrity/Ethics – Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, and conveys good news and bad.
• Teamwork – Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, and welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.

Position Competencies

• Adaptability/Flexibility – Adapts to change, is open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, handles pressure, and adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Initiative – Tackles problems and takes independent action, seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas, and practices self-development.
• Interpersonal Skills – Has good listening skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback, and handles constructive criticism.
• Personal Organization – Keeps information organized and accessible, maintains clean/functional workspace, works systematically/efficiently, and manages time well.
• Productivity – Manages a fair workload, prioritizes tasks, develops good work procedures, manages time well, and handles information flow.
• Quality – Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds root cause of quality problems, and owns/acts on quality problems.

Education/Experience

Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience required. Experience (2 -5 years+) of and/or training as a commercial loan processor or in a commercial lending support position strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

General business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in the office. The work is generally performed indoors and in a professional office environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the following requirements apply standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, answering questions, solving problems within the scope of the position, and require the use of a computer, a keyboard for typing and other electronic software and apps. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This position requires traveling to various locations and must be able to provide own transportation.

The physical demands described here are representative of the additional requirements an employee must be able to meet successfully to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@emdc.org