State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Board of Education and Services for the Blind this class is accountable for directing a statewide business enterprise program for legally blind clients who are operating small businesses and vending facilities.

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for directing agency entrepreneurial initiatives that provide services to other state agencies, municipalities and the public.

Receives administrative direction from the Director of Education and Rehabilitative Services, a Deputy Commissioner or other administrative official of higher grade.

In the Board of Education and Services for the Blind directs the professional and clerical staff of the Business Enterprises Unit.

In the Department of Labor directs the professional and clerical staff of the Entrepreneurial Initiatives division including Job Development, Fee for Services, Grant writing and Marketing units.

BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR THE BLIND: 

• Directs planning, development, expansion and promotion of entrepreneurial business opportunities for legally blind individuals;
• Directs staff and operations of program;
• Coordinates, plans and manages program activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Participates in development of policies and procedures, program goals and objectives; 
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Conducts performance evaluations;
• Responsible for development of program budget;
• Establishes and maintains relationships with other operating units, agencies and outside organizations impacting program activities;
• Determines priorities and plans unit work;
• Prepares reports, correspondence and business plans;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May direct operations of a contracted service;
• Performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: 

• Directs planning, expansion and promotion of fee for service initiatives to enhance agency business opportunities;
• Coordinates, plans and manages agency grant writing development;
• Formulates strategies to market agency services and programs to public;
• Coordinates, plans and supervises program activities;
• Directs staff and operations of Job Development, Fee for Service, Grant Writing and Marketing units;
• Develops policies and procedures to ensure conformance of program activities to state and federal laws, mandates and regulations; develops program budget; coordinates activities with necessary public and private organizations;
• Prepares operations manuals for unit activity;
• Develops a business plan for operation of marketed services;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • business development;
  • business plan development and implementation;
  • small business operations including purchasing, bidding, contract preparation and/or review and accounting;
• Knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statues and regulations pertaining to operations of unit;
  • principles and practices of retail sales and restaurant management;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in the operation of all aspects of a small business.

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  
• A Master's degree in business administration, restaurant management or other related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  
• One (1) year as a Field Representative - Services for the Blind or Marketing Representative may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to work an unscheduled workweek.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.