Staying Fit
If you have skills in accounting, banking or similar fields, the Small Business Administration (SBA) may have a job opportunity for you. The federal agency is hiring temporary workers for telecommuting jobs helping the SBA handle millions of requests for assistance from entrepreneurs whose businesses have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The agency also is seeking workers to help it handle the additional demands that may arise during hurricane season this year.
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“Nearly half of all private sector employees work for a small business,” says Alejandro Contreras, director of preparedness, communication and coordination at the SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance Contreras. “Helping these businesses during crises is vitally important to our country’s economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented in terms of its impact on small business. The contributions our temporary employees are making directly help small businesses, as well as their employees.”
To meet the demand, the SBA already has hired nearly 7,000 employees since March, and the hiring continues. The jobs, which can be found on the AARP Job Board, are full-time, temporary positions helping the agency process the millions of requests the agency receives for financial assistance from businesses. Since March, the SBA has handled nearly 7 million phone calls with disaster aid applicants, approving more than $134 billion in Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds.
“I enjoy the work,” says Myrtle Ross, a retiree in Arlington, Texas who recently took one of the temporary positions. “I find it rewarding to have something to do. You’re able to work from home and give back to the community at the same time. The technology is easy to learn and keeps you connected with your team.”
Contreras says some older workers who have experience working in banking or credit may be particularly suited for these jobs. Some of the positions for which the agency is hiring include credit analysts, loan officers, mortgage underwriters, attorneys, customer service representatives and human resources workers.
"The kinds of files and things that they're going to look through on these jobs could range anywhere from a really simple business application from a mom-or-pop-type business to something that's more complex, like a corporation with an affiliate,” he says. “What we need is a broad spectrum of experience from people who have been in the workforce longer and maybe have even retired already. Having their experience is extremely valuable to the kind of work that we do for disaster loans."
You may apply for a position through the AARP Job Board. The openings the agency is hiring for include:
- Disaster recovery specialist
- Loan servicing assistant
- Loan specialist (general)
- Supervisory loan specialist (commercial)
- Program support assistant
- Attorney advisor
- Paralegal specialist
- Legal assistant
