Business Enterprise Specialist

Business Enterprise Specialist Position Overview

Are you a business professional looking to make a difference in public service? Join OOD as a Business Enterprise Specialist, where you'll provide expert retail and food service management consultation to blind and visually impaired entrepreneurs in vending and cafeteria facilities. Your role will include advising on operations, management, administration, staffing, finance, profitability, safety, and health. You'll ensure regulatory and contract compliance by working closely with state and federal agencies, offering innovative business growth strategies, and forecasting sales and profit goals. Additionally, you'll play a key role in budgeting, equipment planning, and purchasing, while thoughtfully appraising operator performance and acting as a liaison to mediate issues and resolve customer complaints.

In this position, you'll also assess potential new business sites on military, federal, or state properties, and plan and coordinate third-party moves and installations.

Experience in retail and service industry management is highly relevant and valued. You'll have the opportunity to learn about program-specific contract language, relevant federal and state regulations and gain ServSafe certification. We seek a compassionate and detail-oriented individual passionate about supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving entrepreneurial success.

Daytime travel within Ohio is required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license.

Business Enterprise Specialist Duties

• Provide retail and food service consultative advice to people who are legally blind or visually impaired.
• Travel throughout the state with focus mainly in assigned region.
• Conduct inventory of equipment and products.
• Meets routinely with grantors, operators, and vendors.
• Procurement of equipment.

A Successful Business Enterprise Specialist

• Experienced in retail or food service management.
• Anticipates both routine and non-routine incidents.
• Works independently and also enjoys being part of a team.
• Has strong conflict resolution skills.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) Division Overview

The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) offers vocational rehabilitation services to Ohioans who are blind or have low vision and want to gain, maintain, or return to meaningful employment or personal independence. Working in partnership with county and state agencies, public facilities, and universities across the state, BSVI programs strive to enable premier career opportunities for individuals who are blind and to be the service provider of choice for our customers.

Pay Information

Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

54 Months

66 Months

Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

OCSEA 30

Hourly

$25.77

$26.76

$27.92

$29.22

$30.55

$31.88

$33.52

Annual

$53,602.00

$55,661.00

$58,074.00

$60,778.00

$63,544.00

$66,310.00

$69,722.00

Location Requirements

Position availability in the following locations:

• Akron BSVI/BVR - 172 S. Broadway, Akron, OH 44308
• OOD Lakewood (Cleveland) - 14725 Detroit Avenue, Suite 202 Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Our roles are primarily in-office to encourage collaboration and connection, however some locations may have adjusted on-site requirements based on space availability at this time. Reporting details will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Applications and Selections

Please ensure your online application and work experience clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs).  Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. If you meet the MQs through education, transcripts are required for consideration by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to [email protected].

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on “My Jobpage.” On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo. Applicants who require technical assistance (e.g., issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact [email protected]. 

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The selection process consists of a remote structured interview.  All communications are sent via email. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly including checking junk and/or spam.

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

2 years training or 2 years' experience in business which included responsibility for sales, production, marketing and accounting or bookkeeping.

• Or equivalent of education and/or experience per Minimum Class Qualifications noted above

Job Skills:

Business, Food Services, Customer Service, Purchasing, Stores and Inventory, Sales, Store Management

, Conflict Management, Consultation, Building Trust, Organizing and Planning, Problem Solving

Organization

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Agency Contact Name and Information

Michelle DiGrandi, [email protected]

Unposting Date

Mar 3, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

Lakewood BSVI/BVR

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Cuyahoga County-Lakewood

Other Locations

United States of America-OHIO-Summit County-Akron

Compensation

$25.77/hour (unless required by legislation)

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Business

Technical Skills

Customer Service, Food Services, Purchasing, Stores, Inventory, Sales, Store Management

Professional Skills

Building Trust, Conflict Management, Consultation, Organizing and Planning, Problem Solving

Agency Overview

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Our agency works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. We help connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website at ood.ohio.gov .

Follow us on social media @OhioOOD!