REGIONAL NAVIGATOR

Overview

Are you ready to be a driving force behind transformative change in Nebraska's economic landscape? The NE Chamber in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Governor Pillen’s office is committed to stimulating growth and fostering opportunities statewide and we are actively hiring 6 skilled individuals to join us as Regional Navigators in each community college region. Use the map (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3892390794/) to determine which community college region you are in, as each navigator must reside in the region they are representing.

• Central Community College Region
• Metro Community College Region
• Northeast Community College Region
• Southeast Community College Region
• Western Community College Region

Job Description

Each Regional Navigator is responsible for coordinating their regional teams' collaborative efforts. They serve as the primary liaison between community members and resource providers, driving forward initiatives crucial for advancing the region's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and nurturing its overall regional development. Development initiatives could include workforce, childcare, housing, recruitment strategies, and more.

Each Regional Navigator will organize two comprehensive team meetings annually within their Community College region. This includes managing logistics such as venue selection and amenities, extending invitations to key leaders throughout the region, and documenting the outcomes and discussions of each gathering.

The Navigator will collaborate closely with regional team co-chairs, the NE Chamber, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and the Governor’s office, in addition to local economic development officials, city representatives, and chambers of commerce. Together, they will facilitate the identification of regional projects and develop strategies to execute priority initiatives.

Projects will be data driven. The navigator will be responsible for working with the appropriate partners to provide the needed data in a format that will assist the regional team with project identification.

Throughout the year, the Navigator will be required to travel to each of the counties in their region to meet with community leaders and gain insights into their needs and priorities.

Priority projects will be designated in the Community College region to address the harms stemming from COVID-19 pandemic including responding to the negative economic impacts, focusing on disproportionally impacted communities as defined by DED and underserved communities where pre-existing disparities were amplified due to the pandemic.

Examples of work:

• Gather and compile data for team meetings, with the assistance of the Data Working Group (which is a group of various agency leads).
• Develop projects that are eligible to be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act that will impact the workforce issue in that region at a large scale and scope.
• Schedule and attend meetings related to project identification and execution.
• Provide communication with team members and coordinating agencies.
• Assist with private fundraising within the region to execute projects.
• Keep accurate records of team meetings.
• Apply for grants to private foundations for specific projects in their region.
• Meet with the other five navigators from across the state.
• Work closely with meeting facilitators.
• Be responsible for reporting regularly on the status of projects.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Required Knowledge: project management procedures; grant writing, principles, and techniques of public relations; general research practices and techniques; understanding of Nebraska local and state government operations; state, local and federal laws and programs relating to community and economic development; available funding sources.

Required skills: communicating with diverse audiences; presenting information to groups; finding common ground and negotiation skills. Proficiency in Outlook 365, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.

Required Abilities: research, plan, implement and evaluate programs; prepare and deliver presentations; interact with and gain the cooperation of community leaders, resource providers and the public; maintain effective working relationships; relate well with a diverse group of individuals and organizations and present a positive image as an employee of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and representative of state government.

Office Location: The Regional Navigator will have an office at the community college, with the added flexibility of remote work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, economics, public administration, community or regional planning, or a related degree. Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Must have a valid driver's license as travel within the region will be required. Travel expenses are reimbursable.

The Regional Navigator position requires a minimum of 30 hours/week or full-time (40 hours/week). Benefits for full-time employees include health insurance for the employee only, vision, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance and 401k are available.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit the following to Sydney Woodruff at info@nechamber.com:

• Professional resume
• Cover letter which clearly specifies which region you reside in, and which navigator position you are applying for

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

We are an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Omaha, NE 68111