GVRA

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency operates five integrated and interdependent statutory programs that share a primary goal - to help people with disabilities to become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment. Our programs impact both employers and job seekers. Our bottom line is to tailor our services to fit your needs. And our promise to you is consistent professional service with responsive and responsible follow-up.

Summary/Objective: 

The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) specializes in providing expert consultation and support to visually impaired Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) clients interested in owning and operating merchandising businesses under the Georgia BEP. Administered by the GVRA in collaboration with Georgia Committee of Blind Vendors (CBV), the Georgia BEP was established in 1936 under the Randolph-Sheppard Act to create entrepreneurial career pathways for individuals with visual impairments. The Business Enterprise Program Analyst provides expert consultation and support to blind vendor owned businesses seeking to enhance their enterprise programs. This role involves assessing current business practices, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategies to optimize efficiency, productivity, and profitability within the enterprise program.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide personalized consultation and guidance to visually impaired Vocational Rehabilitation clients interested in participating in the BEP.
• Offer support throughout the business ownership process, from initial assessment to business planning, setup, and ongoing management.
• Ensure compliance with BEP policies, procedures, and regulations outlined in the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
• Facilitate program enrollment, licensing, and certification processes for qualified Program participants.
• Assist in developing and delivering training programs, workshops, and resources to equip blind entrepreneurs with essential business skills and knowledge.
• Assist blind entrepreneurs in developing comprehensive business plans, including market research, financial projections, and operational strategies.
• Coordinate resources, equipment, and facilities necessary for clients to establish and operate successful merchandising businesses.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to secure funding, grants, and other resources to support BEP initiatives.
• Collaborate with business leaders to develop strategic plans tailored to the program's objectives and market conditions.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of enterprise programs.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate findings, recommendations, and outcomes to stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records of project activities, milestones, and deliverables for future reference and analysis.
• Cultivate relationships with VR program staff, CBV representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to promote BEP opportunities and initiatives.
• Collaborate with community organizations, businesses, and agencies to expand networking and partnership opportunities for BEP participants.
• Assist in monitoring program performance, collecting feedback, and evaluating outcomes to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Assist in implementing strategies and initiatives to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the BEP.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Competencies:

• Customer Service
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Accountability
• Results Orientation
• Judgment and Decision Making

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and smartphones.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

Incumbents working in this job perform duties in an office setting. This is a 40-hour workweek requirement. The position may involve managing a high-volume workload and demands a high level of accuracy while working with deadlines. Regular attendance is an important part of being successful in this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made available to qualified individuals upon request.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position occasionally requires long hours and weekend work.

Travel:

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

As a condition of employment with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, you must successfully complete a mandatory federal and national background check, pre-employment testing, and additional checks required for your job.

All candidates interested in employment with The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency does not offer sponsorships for current or future employment visas (e.g., H-B1 employment visa).

AAP/EEO Statement:

GVRA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request reasonable accommodation during any step in the hiring process, please contact our HR Team at ada_request@gvs.ga.gov.