The Organization

Spruce Root 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. 

Position Description

Position Title: Lending Outreach Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Southeast Alaska

Reports to: Spruce Root Executive Director

Salary: $70,000-$80,000 DOE

Scope: In conjunction with the Spruce Root, Inc. team, the Lending Outreach Specialist is responsible for supporting the continued growth of Spruce Root, Inc., a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Southeast Alaska. Spruce Root provides financing and technical assistance to small business owners in Southeast Alaska. The primary functions of the Lending Outreach Specialist is to review and underwrite loan applications, assist borrowers in acquiring and successfully paying off loans, implement lending policies and keep the organization in compliance with its certifications and funders. The position must have, or be willing to obtain, the skills needed to become a loan underwriter, analyze financial statements/projections, review proposed business plans for feasibility and assess the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. This position also assists the Executive Director in maintaining a strong rapport with key regional, state and national financing partners.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for conducting credit analyses including gathering, analyzing and interpreting all types of credit information for existing and prospective business loan clients in order to maximize credit and minimize risk and potential loss.

• Approve and/or deny loans within certain limits and make credit structure and loan pricing decisions.

• Prepare and present loan/credit recommendations to the Senior Loan Advisory Committee and Board of Directors for approval.

• Develop and foster relationships with partners and entrepreneurs.  

• Work with the small business technical assistance team to evaluate lending opportunities and improve processes.

• Assist individuals in making wise credit decisions and help develop their financial acumen.

• Assist the administrative team in monitoring and proactively managing existing clients to ensure loan portfolio quality.

• Work with the administrative team to bring non-performing loans into compliance, up to and including restructuring or liquidation.

• Responsible for deploying loans to meet CDFI development and lending goals.

• Participate in annual strategic planning with the Spruce Root Team.

• Work with the Executive Director or his/her designee to improve internal loan processes and maintain standard operating procedures for loan program, funder reports, compliance and tracking documents, updating as needed.

• Assist administrative team in monitoring and tracking the loan portfolio, loan loss reserve and mission metrics on a quarterly basis.

• Work with the Finance Department to develop the annual budget and planning for the lending program.

• Review and update lending policies and guidelines on an annual basis. 

Non-Essential Responsibilities

• Support efforts that promote rural community and economic development

• Ensure adherence to CDFI and regulatory reporting requirements

• Write grant proposals and loan capital requests to support the loan program

• Support fundraising activities, workshops, and events, as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Competency in 6 C’s of credit, credit risks and underwriting

• Proficient in understanding financial statements and GAAP standards

• Demonstrated capacity for safeguarding client privacy, confidentiality and data security

• Strong acumen with budgeting and planning process

• Strong ability to work as a productive team member

• Strong communication and customer service skills

• Acute attention to detail

• Proficiency using LaserPro, Downhome or other supporting loan software 

• Strong personal passion for Spruce Root’s mission

Training and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business-related field or equivalent work experience in Financial Industry

• Trained in Lending, Underwriting and Credit Risk 

Additional Skills:

• Broadly applied software skills including software for lending, accounting, portfolio management, client management, etc.

• Experience or training in working with small business owners and entrepreneurs

• Grant proposal writing or other fundraising capacity

• Knowledge of/experience in Southeast Alaska and industries relevant to the region

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: 

This is a permanent, full time position. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include flexible work schedules, paid personal leave, holidays and retirement benefits, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, wellness program, and ongoing professional development opportunities. 

Spruce Root, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination.  It is Spruce Root’s policy to comply with all federal, state, Tribal and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity.

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

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

To apply, send an email to aldyn@spruceroot.org with the subject line “Lending Outreach Specialist – [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? 

  • What would you be most nervous about going into this role if you were offered and accepted the position?

  • 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.