Program Navigator - Microenterprise

POSITION TITLE: Program Navigator – Microenterprise

REPORTS TO: Program Manager I 

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt  

COMPENSATION: $26.44-$32.50

LOCATION: San Diego, CA

Who we are:

Kitchens for Good (KFG) transforms lives through culinary arts.

Kitchens for Good is a nonprofit social enterprise committed to transforming lives through culinary arts. Our mission is to create brighter futures for individuals by providing culinary training, job placement, and food assistance programs. The Microenterprise program is a launching pad for San Diego food entrepreneurs who are low-to-moderate income, including individuals from underserved communities. As a Program Navigator - Microenterprise, you'll be crucial in advancing our mission and positively impacting the community.  

Position Summary

The Program Navigator - Microenterprise plays a dual role providing hands-on participant navigation and program coordination to support aspiring and early stage food entrepreneurs. This position serves as a primary point of contact for participants from enrollment through program completion, guiding them through workshops, regulatory requirements, and resource connections while ensuring smooth program implementation and accurate reporting. 

The Navigator supports the planning and coordination of Microenterprise workshops, orientations, and events; maintains program systems and materials; and collaborates cross departmentally to ensure a seamless participant experience. Through one-on-one meetings and group facilitation, the Navigator helps participants clarify goals, address barriers, and successfully navigate local and state small business compliance requirements. This role is essential to improving access, retention, and outcomes for Microenterprise participants.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Program Coordination

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of Microenterprise workshops, events, orientations, and program activities.
• Coordinate logistics including space scheduling, materials preparation, and technology needs.
• Support cross-departmental collaboration to ensure smooth program implementation.
• Represent the Microenterprise program at community events, outreach activities, and networking opportunities as needed.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Participant Engagement and Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for participants throughout the program lifecycle, from enrollment through completion.
• Facilitate participant onboarding, orientations, workshops, and professional development sessions as assigned.
• Work closely with the Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator to support Microenterprise outreach, applicant engagement, and enrollment activities.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with participants to assess goals, identify needs, provide technical assistance, and connect them to internal and external resources.
• Communicate effectively with participants via in-person meetings, phone calls, and email to provide timely support and information.
• Manage and update the program’s SharePoint site to ensure participants have access to required materials and resources.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information at all times.

Compliance, Regulations, and Community Liaison

• Stay informed on relevant local and state small business regulations, including licensing, permitting for food based businesses, and grant eligibility requirements.
• Provide participants with guidance and referrals related to compliance and regulatory navigation.
• Liaise with city, county, and community agencies as needed to support participant success and ensure program alignment with current policies.

Data Management and Reporting

• Track participant engagement, progress, and compliance with program requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records using designated systems and shared platforms.
• Support program reporting and outcome tracking by ensuring timely and accurate data entry.

Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Presentational and facilitation skills
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Customer/Client focus
• Initiative and self-motivation
• Results driven mindset
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Event coordination and logistics skills

Work Environment 

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

This job operates in a kitchen environment, housed with equipment such as an oven, stove, dishwasher, slicer, coffee machine, steamer, mixer, and chef’s knives. The employee is frequently exposed to heat steam, fire, and noise.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, push, and pull items weighing 15 pounds or less. The position requires manual dexterity; auditory and visual skills, and the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures.  

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time non-exempt position. Evening and weekend shifts, with advanced notice will be expected. Position is approved for a hybrid work schedule 3-4 days in office and 1-2 days’ work from home.

Travel 

Employee will be expected to travel to multiple Kitchens for Good sites, and additional travel is primarily local.

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. 

Benefits:     

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement savings
• Professional development budget
• 13 paid holidays 
• Generous Vacation Plan     
• Group term life insurance 

Compensation Transparency: 

At Kitchens for Good, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The base salary range for this position is provided to ensure clarity and fairness in our hiring process. The final salary offered will be determined based on a variety of factors, including your education, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge. We also take into account internal equity to ensure consistency and fairness across our team.

Please note that the listed range reflects the full salary potential for the role. Offers at the top of the range are not typical, as we aim to support long-term growth and advancement within the organization.

Acknowledgment 

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. Kitchens for Good will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable, and no undue hardship would result. 

AT-WILL:

The individual hired in this role will be at-will and will be subject to termination by the employee or the Company, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.  

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) STATEMENT: 

The Company will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact Juanita Atitsogbuie at 619-736-1873 or [email protected].  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.? 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT:? 

The Company is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Education and Work Experience  

• High school diploma or equivalent. 
• Minimum of 2 years of working for a nonprofit and/or state agency or equivalent.
• Proficient in Microsoft office 365 programs.
• Experience and knowledge of local and state small business regulations, including licensing, permitting, and grant eligibility requirements (highly desirable).
• Experience with Salesforce (highly desirable). 
• Experience working with any or all of the following (highly desirable): Justice Impacted (Formerly Incarcerated), Individuals facing challenges related to substance use, recovery, and other life circumstances, Former foster youth, Job training, job placement, adult education, and adult literacy.
• Experience working with local agencies and service providers in San Diego County, including navigating referral processes (desired) 
• Experience with Career Centers and federal benefits (desired) 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (highly desirable)