Rural Development Specialist--deadline extended

AmeriCorps Position Description Position Title: Rural Development Specialist

Project Sponsor: Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) www.rcac.org    

Project Location: Downtown Portland

Organization's Mission: To help rural communities achieve their goals and visions through training, technical assistance, and access to resources.

RCAC has a well-established track record of achieving results for rural community projects. The organization was founded in California in 1978. In Oregon, RCAC is recognized as a leader in rural community development and has three full-time staff members in the state. One loan officer, one rural development specialist for water and wastewater and one staff person working on low-income housing needs for rural communities.

Position Summary: The Rural Development Specialist will provide training and technical assistance to nonprofit and local tribal, state and federal government agencies to improve or develop water, wastewater and solid waste systems and programs in rural communities. The primary goals for this position include; working directly with communities-65%, coordinating, promoting and conducting water and wastewater infrastructure workshops for small communities-25%, and assisting with planning and conducting Rural Oregon Day-10%.

This is an AmeriCorps position with the newly created Professional Placement program (P2), offered through the Northwest Service Academy's Lower Columbia Center. P2 has been designed to provide opportunities for highly qualified men and women to serve on compelling, environmentally focused projects.  A win-win situation is achieved by placing highly qualified professionals in an environment that allows them to transition into this promising field while contributing to the developmental needs of a small non-profit or a transitional program with a larger organization.   See www.p2professional.org/blog/ or www.nwserviceacademy.org.

General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to): 1. Assist communities with strategic plans and needs assessments.   2. Conduct training.   3. Deliver direct follow up technical assistance.   4. Develop and maintain project work plans.   5. Conduct ongoing funding research and assist communities with applications.   6. Form, coordinate and participate in rural development networks and associations..   7. Learn and practice critical writing skills   8. Become familiar with requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.   9. Work with stakeholder agencies and RCAC staff to coordinate logistics, prepare information and conduct outreach for workshops.  10. Learn about and participate in rural networks to assist with planning and conducting Rural Oregon Day.    

Position Requirements: 1. Direct work with rural communities   2. Orientation process on RCAC programs   3. Continuing training on technical, managerial and financial aspects of water and wastewater system operations   4. Possible occasional travel throughout Oregon   5. Personal vehicle is required for service activities   6. Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record and ability to provide documentation   Preferred Qualifications:

·         Ability to interact well with a wide variety of clientele.

·         Background in community development.

·         Background in environmental infrastructure.

·         Excellent communication and writing skills.

·         Public speaking experience.

·         Ability to use Microsoft Suite computer applications

·         Ability to understand and synthesize a wide variety of information.

Member Benefits Include:

·         A taxable, monthly living allowance (before taxes, approximately $1,250).

·         Training fund of up to $500.

·         Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members receive an education award of $4,725. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans, for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used.

·         Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).

·         Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).

·         Child care allowance for those who qualify.

·         RCAC provides the opportunity to become part of a team of individuals equally committed to service to the environment and the community.

Application Deadline: December 19, 2008                           NWSA Center: Lower Columbia Center

Interviews: No set schedule. Open until filled.                       Type of position: Professional Placement

Service Dates: December 2008 – November 2009               Length of Term: 1,700 hours

How to apply:

Step 1: Submit an interest letter and resume to Patricia Wu Borges at [email protected].  No phone calls or visits please. 

Step 2: Complete your application and send it to Margi Guilfoyle at [email protected]: (All application materials can be found on the "How to Apply" page of our website)

Application – Complete the AmeriCorps Application. It may be submitted by mail, fax or email

Two Written References – Please ask your recommenders to complete the NWSA Reference Form. It may be submitted by mail, fax or email.

Certification Form – Print, sign and date the Certification Form. This document MUST be submitted by mail or in-person to our offices at 55 SE Main, Portland OR 97214.

Questions about the position? Contact: Chris Marko, [email protected]

General questions about P2, Northwest Service Academy, or AmeriCorps? Contact: Margi Guilfoyle Professional Placement Coordinator NWSA Lower Columbia Center

55 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214

503-234-2383 ext 118 fax 503-232-0166 [email protected] www.p2professional.org/blog/

www.nwserviceacademy.org         AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER