Senior Rural Development Specialist
Location: Central or Southern Illinois - Remote
Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 34 hours per week
Employment Type: Full-Time Exempt
Are you interested in working with a great team of technical assistance providers who help communities safeguard drinking water and local environments, improve economic opportunity and the quality of life for rural Americans?
GLCAP Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) delivers technical assistance, project development, training and other professional services to small public water and wastewater systems and local governments. We help them improve their infrastructure and local economies.
We are seeking professionals with a broad range of skills and experience, particularly those who have worked in water/wastewater industries, local government, grant writing/administration, accounting/finance, land conservation, environmental compliance, and related fields. Priority competency areas that we are looking for include grant writing and funding development, project planning, water/sewer system management, utility rate-setting, training, facilitation, and NEPA environmental assessments.
Why work for GLCAP?
- Health/Dental/Vision Insurance (available immediately)
- 403(B) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- HSA and FSA with company contributions
- Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Personal)
- 3 weeks of paid vacation after one year (can begin using accrued amount after 6 months of employment)
- Paid Holidays
- Wellness Incentives (save almost 50% off Weight Watchers, discounted gym memberships, rewards for completing wellness activities, etc.)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Casual dress code
- Growth and professional development opportunities
- Company Engagement Activities and Employee Recognition
- Mileage/travel reimbursement
- Family oriented atmosphere
- Phone Stipend
- Flexible work schedule
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge on the latest development in federal and state regulations, funding source regulations, new technologies relating to water and wastewater, and developing trends.
- Provide technical assistance and training to community groups, local government officials/agencies, and/or individual system owners on community development concerns relating to program planning, facility development, management and finance, operation and maintenance, and capacity development.
- Conduct on-site visits with community officials, agencies or individuals; conduct needs assessments; complete the enrollment process; and prepare and provide progress reports and updates regarding the status of projects.
- Maintain necessary communication with potential and existing funding sources.
- Serve as the department contact in one or more priority competency area
- Serve as trainer/mentor for new staff.
- Assist the State RCAP Director with program development which may include participating in the development of funding strategies, initiating contacts, identifying opportunities, coordinating, writing, developing and submitting small proposals, and working as a team member on large proposals.
- Research, analyze and publish comments on the impact of proposed regulations and policies; participate on policy-setting or advisory groups; analyze rural development issues and needs; develop policy, technical papers, articles, and manuals for RCAP and other publications; develop training curricula.
- Conduct outreach and networking for the RCAP program by forming, coordinating, and/or participating in rural development networks and associations, forming and maintaining links between agencies and/or other networks, and marketing department programs.
Education:
Required bachelor's degree in an area of study related to environmental resources, planning, finance/accounting, business management or equivalent experience; or certified as a water or wastewater operator.
Experience:
Experience in community development, water or waste water management, or infrastructure development, to include experience in one of the following areas: NEPA related environmental reviews, CDBG administration, municipal finance, utility certified operations and management, operation and maintenance of private drinking water wells, geographic information systems, land use and economic planning, finance and grant writing, facilitation and negotiation, or training communities; and experience working with word processing, spreadsheet, internet, and database software.
As a condition of employment, the following are additional requirements:
- Initial and periodic Motor Vehicle Records checks, maintain a valid driver’s license, and maintain a safe driving record.
- Must have insured, dependable transportation available for daily use.
- Must submit to initial and/or periodic state and/or federal criminal checks.
- Must submit to initial and periodic drug and alcohol testing.
- Ability to be reached by cellular phone during business hours and after hours.
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