Position

The Navigator role will concentrate primarily on supporting all our specialized programs such as the Rural Women-Led Business Fund (RWLBF), Fortaleza Fund, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Loan Fund, Intermediary Relending Program, and CLIMBER Fund. The Rural Women-Led Business Fund is an initiative from FSWCF to support women-led businesses in rural Colorado, which includes access to grant funding and our educational programming for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The Fortaleza Fund is an initiative supporting immigrant-led business owners in Colorado. Click here for a full description of FSWCF loan programs. The Navigator will work closely with FSWCF’s team to provide direct support to students and organizational support with documents, grant payments, and technical assistance specific to business for all programs. 

Responsibilities

• Program Support: Provide one-on-one assistance to FSWCF’s Program Manager coordinating workshops, brown bag sessions, events and other opportunities for the various loan funds. 
   
• Coordinate with Programs Manager to provide 1-2 quarterly financial literacy trainings for the various loan funds. 
   
• Coordinate referrals to the FSWCF lending team of completed applications of prospective customers. 
   
• Assist the Programs Manager when needed with initial contact, attendance reminder, follow up email from the educational sessions for prospective entrepreneurs. 
   
• Support the FSWCF expansion efforts into new regions to attract new participants. 
   
• Support the FSWCF operations team with marketing, recruitment, navigation, and administrative tasks as needed. 
   
• Translate materials into Spanish as needed using technology and tools available. 
   
• Stay up to date on educational trends. 
• Proficient and professional delivery of technical assistance in both English and Spanish.  

Roles and Duties

Skills and Qualifications

• A flexible, creative, entrepreneurial spirit and a demonstrated passion for the mission, vision, and values of First Southwest Community Fund. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills. 
• Lived or past (professional or personal) experience working with historically marginalized communities. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Able to take ownership and drive activities to completion. 
• A minimum of one year of professional work experience and/or degree, preferably in business, finance/banking, or accounting. 
• Conversationally proficient in Spanish and English.
• Candidate must be located in rural Colorado -San Luis Valley, Western Slope and Southwest Colorado.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time hourly position that will offer an hourly rate between $24.00 - $26.00 an hour depending on experience. We offer a generous monthly stipend for health and technology expenses.

The First Southwest Community Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and resume to Rosy McDonough, Executive Director, at rosy.mcdonough@fswcf.org by July 15, 2025.

Salary Range: $80,400-116,600

Position Summary

FSWCF is seeking a mission-driven, results-oriented lender to manage and grow our small business and commercial lending portfolio, with an emphasis on underserved and rural communities. The Lender will be responsible for identifying borrower needs, underwriting and originating loans, managing a dynamic loan portfolio, and supporting entrepreneurial clients throughout their business journey.

This management position has an overall responsibility to ensure that impact goals of key organizational program initiatives are met, with a focus on delivering loan products and development services to target markets through bank and community partner marketing channels. The position includes designing and implementing financial products and services that are responsive to target markets, lending production, underwriting and closing, marketing and outreach to target markets, relationship-building with community partners and referral sources and technical assistance advisors. The primary responsibility of this position is to deploy capital and technical assistance resources in an active, healthy loan program that is responsive to the needs of the community and reaches FSWCF’s target market(s), in addition to managing loan portfolio performance and asset quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Interview loan applicants to assess financial eligibility and lending feasibility in a timely manner.
• Process, analyze, and underwrite loan applications using FSWCF financial and credit principles.
• Structure financing solutions tailored to rural, agricultural, and small business borrowers.
• Establish, negotiate, and supervise the process of credit terms, including repayment schedules, interest rates, and collateral terms.
• Ensure compliance with FSWCF policies, risk tolerance, and federal/state lending regulations.

 Portfolio Management:

• Proactively manage a loan portfolio, monitoring risk ratings, renewals, covenants, past dues, and reporting.
• Identify early signs of credit deterioration and recommend corrective actions or risk reclassifications.
• Collaborate with the FSWB Credit and Loan Operations teams to ensure proper documentation is obtained and timely service is performed  customer and internal.

Client Support & Business Development:

• Serve as a resource for clients by providing one-on-one guidance in areas like cash flow, capital strategy, and small business management.
• Coordinate with the Technical Assistant Navigator and Program Manager to connect clients with appropriate capital and resources.
• Coordinate training and education to loan applicants on completing loan applications and navigating the lending process in collaboration with FSWCF Technical Assistant Navigator and Lending Specialists.

Outreach & Community Engagement:

• Represent FSWCF at community events, forums, and workshops to raise awareness and develop new borrower relationships.
• Promote inclusive access to capital for underserved populations, including rural entrepreneurs, BIPOC, women, and low-income communities.

Compliance, Reporting & Process Improvement:

• Prepare reports for internal leadership, FSWCF board of directors, and external funders.
• Ensure FSWCF loan procedures and lending software are up to date and implemented correctly.
• Participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and other FSWCF/FSWB staff in designing and upgrading loan underwriting, servicing and portfolio management procedures and policies, loan products, marketing strategies, participation partnerships, technical assistance development and implementation, and loan administrative systems, including loan database software selection and implementation.
• Participate in annual budget setting and strategic planning processes.
• Anticipate funding needs and ensure adequate funding levels are always in place for loan making.

Job Qualifications 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, economics, or related field – OR – 2–5 years of equivalent work experience in lending, credit analysis, or small business financing.
• Demonstrated experience with small business, commercial, ag, or CDFI lending.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, mission-driven, and reliable team.

 Knowledge and Skills:

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Experience working with under-banked, low-income, or underserved populations.
• Passion for social impact, microfinance, and community development finance.
• Familiarity with nonprofit operations and mission-aligned lending.
• Knowledge of impact investing or rural economic development.

Training/Education

Experience

• 3-5 years supervisory experience required.
• Experience working at a financial institution or in a nonprofit is highly beneficial, as is experience analyzing and managing portfolio risk.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software programs, use of e-mail and internet, and willingness to expand skill base. 

Working Environment and Physical Requirements

About FSWCF

Founded in 2015 by First Southwest Bank, FSWCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and CDFI that provides gap funding and equitable access to capital for rural Colorado entrepreneurs. We support innovation, culture, and financial knowledge in underserved communities through grant and loan programs that drive impact and foster resilience.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.