Community Development Program Specialist

Title:   Community Development Programs Specialist

Reports to:     Community

Development Senior Program Manager

Location:        Remote Location (Anywhere in the Nation)

Posting Date:             August 9, 2024

Application Deadline: August 23, 2024

Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2024

Exempt, Full-Time Position

Starting Salary Range: $ 65,000 – 75,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Organization Description:

The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners that works to ensure that rural and Tribal communities across the US have access to safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, and economic prosperity through technical assistance, training, and financial assistance in the smallest communities across the country, many of which are low income. RCAP builds capacity at the local level, while raising the voice of rural and Tribal communities through advocacy, storytelling, research, and strategic partnerships. Annually RCAP serves approximately 2,000 rural and Tribal communities with an average size of less than 1,600.

RCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our workforce across a range of dimensions. Individuals who come from rural areas; who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other People of Color; who are queer, trans, non-binary, or two-spirit; people with disabilities; people who are immigrants; people from poor and working-class backgrounds; and people who are/have been system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply. We invite every potential job applicant to apply regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or disability and we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.  

We expect all our employees to share a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and always seek ways to improve how well we live these values. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know. Once you have applied, we welcome your feedback on how you have experienced our values around diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process.

Position Description: This position will support the implementation of RCAP’s Community-Led Rural Development (CLRD) Strategy. The position will help to oversee RCAP’s linked strategic programs including regionalization, leadership and capacity development, disaster and climate resilience, broadband, community facilities, transportation, economic development and others. Responsibilities will include tracking and managing program deliverables, collaborating with RCAP's internal and external partners, reporting, and liaising with funders.  The position will also coordinate and work closely with RCAP internal teams on research, data and impact, advocacy, communications, training, fund development, events and the finance teams.  We look for a passion or improving quality of life, economic opportunity, and public/environmental health in rural America.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities Include:       

• Support RCAP’s CLRD Strategy  
• Manage/co-manage federal and philanthropic grants
• Work on the development and submittal of required funder reports, the development of sub agreements, and external partner oversight including deliverables and spending tracking
• Exercise and follow procurement processes and the management of contracts
• Help successfully stand-up new programs and closing out/renewing existing program
• Maintain funder compliance
• Coordinate, build, and maintain rapport with key funding agencies, RCAP’s six regional partners, and external partner organizations
• Work closely with, coordinate and collaborate with RCAP’s internal teams
• Maintain and further develop collaborative relationships with other industry groups, organizations, funders, and other entities that complement RCAP’s work
• Coordinate with and support rural and Tribal project communities
• Lead, participate in, and/or contribute to various workgroups
• Maintain regular communications including sharing resources with project communities and partners
• Develop and/or facilitate virtual workshops, information sessions, and peer learning opportunities
• Support program invoicing and billing processes
• Generate or contribute to funding proposals
• This position requires some overnight travel and, in some cases, over multiple days.  The ability to travel is required and expected as part of this position
• Preferred location within 75 miles of a major airport
• Mandatory attendance: RCAP’s National Conference and annual staff retreat

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5+ years of relevant experience
• Preferably of 3 years of grant/project management experience
• Experience overseeing complex federal grants and philanthropic funding
• Experience interacting with diverse groups, community representatives and funding agencies
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of English language, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, presentation software (such as PowerPoint) and SharePoint
• Skill in organizing and coordinating
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Ability to:

1. Work independently as well as in team environments
2. Troubleshoot and solve problems
3. Organize and prioritize work to meet multiple deadlines
4. Create, compose and edit written materials
5. Gather date, compile and prepare materials
6. Maintain confidentiality
7. Meet strict timelines

Benefits:

• RCAP offers an outstanding benefits package which includes:
• 15 days of Vacation Leave (accrued on a prorated per payroll basis)
• 15 days of Sick Leave (accrued on a prorated per payroll basis)
• 100% employer-paid premiums for Platinum-level Health insurance for the employee and 70% employer-paid for dependents
• 100% employer-paid Dental and Vision insurance for employee and dependents
• Employer paid life insurance
• Fully employer paid premium for both long-term and short-term disability insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan with automatic employer contribution of 7% after 6 months of employment
• Nine scheduled federal holidays and three floating holidays
• Opportunities for paid professional development, training, and certification renewal requirements
• FSA Plan

How to Apply:  

Please submit a cover letter and resume/CV to apply@rcap.org by end of day August 23,

2024.  

The Selection Process:

In an effort to be as transparent as possible in our selection process as well as to help expedite bringing new staff on board, below is a tentative timeline of key events:

• Review of Resumes: Applications will be reviewed as they come in.
• Initial Interviews (virtual): week of Aug. 26^th
• Full Interviews: week of Sept 2^nd
• Job offer: week of Sept. 9^th Contingent upon positive reference checks and the passing of a background check after offer presented.

While we will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendars for the initial screening and full interviews. Dates subject to change.