Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Position Description

Position Title:Rural Development Specialist

Department:OFFICE OF RURAL PROSPERITY

Reports To: Director office of Rural Prosperity

Position(s) Supervised:N/A

FLSA Status:EXEMPT

*Starting salary commensurate with experience

Position Summary

The Rural Development Specialist is responsible for delivering the outcomes related to the Thrive Rural WI grant. This will be accomplished through working alongside rural communities to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate community economic development programs that advance the capacity of rural communities to apply for state and federal funding. The Rural Development Specialist will develop standardized assessment tools and provide ongoing technical assistance to selected communities through trainings, toolkits, and coaching. The Rural Development Specialist will create work plans, and monitor progress toward achieving goals and objectives identified in the plan. Rural Development Specialists will identify opportunities to connect rural communities to WEDC funding opportunities and provide guidance on the application process. This project-based role is not to exceed twenty-four (24) months.

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Responsibilities

The Rural Development Specialist will spend a majority of their time in these activities:

• Lead and provide technical assistance, support, and skills training to impacted rural and Tribal communities (but not limited to).
• Develop community assessment tools for rural housing, community facilities, and community economic development initiatives.
• Facilitate strategic planning to identify innovative and diverse opportunities in rural areas.
• Identify resources and assist communities in obtaining funding to carry out the identified initiatives and recovery efforts.
• Create trainings and toolkits for rural communities that assist them in strategic planning, real estate development, program development/evaluation, and readiness for state and federal grant funding.
• Oversee and provide periodic assessment reports of technical assistance efforts with a final report at the end of the grant period.
• Implement and ensure compliance with the federal grant regulations.
• Support WEDC’s mission through the fulfillment of other duties as assigned.

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