The West Virginia Water Research Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Community Development Associate.

About the Opportunity

This position will provide critical support in the management of projects and programs associated with brownfield redevelopment and technical assistance initiatives for a range of projects in West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. The position will collaborate with other staff and partners to provide communities within WV and throughout EPA Region 3 with comprehensive technical assistance (TA). Technical assistance may consist of redevelopment support, beginning with brownfield identification through brownfield cleanup or site reuse, and local revitalization by supporting sustainable economic development initiatives and engaging with public and private sectors to coordinate data-driven development in rural communities.

The ideal candidate will actively communicate with stakeholders on brownfield redevelopment processes and programs. They will also provide facilitation assistance with redevelopment reuse plans and finance leveraging. The incumbent will lead and facilitate meetings with project stakeholders, assist with program reporting, proposal development, day-to-day tasks of the Brownfields Assistance Center (BAC), and work with communities on brownfield-related issues and downtown redevelopment.

This candidate will apply education and experience to guide and assure adherence to policy, regulations, and principles. They will independently use professional techniques, as well as BAC organizational policies to solve a range of moderate to complex problems in imaginative and practical ways. Depth of skills, knowledge and interpretive abilities, and creativity are required to successfully perform duties. Position duties require oversight of projects.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Assist with program development and implementation of technical assistance programs, including state and regional initiatives, for BAC, WVU BAD Buildings, and Mid-Atlantic TAB.
• Assist with the facilitation of redevelopment activities including creating and presenting materials in public meetings and synthesizing stakeholder input on projects and programs.
• Provide research support in the identification of brownfield property/site characteristics including ownership, parcel/tax info, and barriers to redevelopment.
• Assist in the development of proposal and grant applications for funding community brownfields projects in response to solicited and unsolicited Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) issued by federal, state, and private agencies.
• Collaborate with the Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University, EPA Brownfield Regional Offices, and National TAB providers on project tasks.
• Assist with the development of resources for distribution to communities and sharing them on program webpages, social media accounts, newsletters, webinars, and other media.
• Assist with planning and implementation of local and state events, including educational workshops and conferences.
• Travel within West Virginia and EPA Region 3 as needed for single day or multi-day periods. Meet face-to-face, virtually, and by telephone with federal, state, community, and private organizations regarding progress of funded projects and to promote BAC and Mid-Atlantic TAB services.
• Provide additional program assistance support to BAC and TAB staff as needed. Represent the organizations at meetings and events as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Environmental Studies, urban planning, or related disciplines.
• A minimum of six (6) months of experience in the following:
  • Project management, public speaking, community outreach, and/or other related experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Project management skills including the ability to develop project timelines and keep multiple projects on schedule.
• Organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to plan work activities and independently maintain progress for scheduling, recordkeeping of project documents and files, and reporting deadlines.
• Proactive outreach skills for contacting communities and resource organizations.
• Excellent communication skills including a high proficiency in English grammar, composition, and verbal communication.
• Proficiency with computer software including, but not limited to: MS Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, project management software.
• Ability to be flexible in working with diverse personalities.
• Ability to write progress/final reports, case histories, newsletters, and information briefs.
• Ability to interface with state, federal, regional, university, and community representatives on project tasks, budgets, and schedules.
• Ability to lead meetings, give presentations to sponsoring agencies, county commission meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Ability to travel independently via car, air, or public transportation to communities and project sites.
• Ability to work independently with minimal managerial oversight.
• Ability to critique project deliverables and ascertain whether they meet work plan objectives.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret maps, technical procedure documents, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Behavioral Competencies

• Technical skills – Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; pursues training and development opportunities; assesses strengths, weaknesses, and shares expertise with others.
• Problem solving – Gathers and analyzes information, identifies problems, develops alternatives, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics, and works well in groups.
• Internal & External Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional matters with objectivity and openness; responds promptly to needs and requests for service and assistance; meets commitments and notifies others if change occurs; provides, solicits, and applies feedback; and builds goodwill through balanced contributions, positive approach, respect, and support of others.
• Communication – Demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings, listens and gets clarification, is responsive, and speaks clearly and persuasively. Writes and edits clearly and informatively, varies style to meet audience needs, presents numerical data effectively, and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Organizational Support – Aligns work and develops strategies to meet organizational goals; seeks to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; and upholds organizational expectations and values.
• Self-Management – Responds to management direction; resourcefully adapts to changes in work environment and circumstances; responds well under pressure and manages competing demands; takes calculated risks, asks for and offers help when needed; is tactful and responsible for their own actions. Adheres to work schedule and complies with leave management responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in community development, and/or issues related to brownfields abandoned and dilapidated structures.
• Community engagement experience interacting with a wide variety of individuals such as the public, researchers, business personnel, state and federal agency personnel, and community organizations.
• Knowledge concerning various methods to conduct policy and fiscal analyses for subjects related to brownfield redevelopment or downtown and community development.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.