What are the responsibilities and job description for the Faith in Rural Communities Program Associate position at Rural Economic Development?
Background
Since 1987, the NC Rural Center has worked to improve the quality of life for the state’s rural people and places. We operate with the core belief that our rural communities have inherent cultural value and are vital to the overall economic health of our state. We recognize that the changing landscape of rural North Carolina brings with it significant challenges, but we also believe in the resiliency of our state’s rural people and their dedicated stewardship of the communities they call home.
The Mission
The mission of the NC Rural Center is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. They serve the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low-to-moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.
Job Summary:
Faith in Rural Communities Program Associate assists in the daily administration of the Faith in Rural Communities programs and oversees planning for FIRC training events.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinate preliminary planning for eight in-person trainings a year.
- Manage on-site logistics for in-person trainings including arrange food and beverage, order supplies, and coordinate audiovisual equipment and operation.
- Manage Salesforce recordkeeping in order to ensure accessibility of current participant and future participant records of all FIRC programs.
- Serve as communication liaison between FIRC team and program applicants, participants, and partners.
- Create and implement a communications plan that includes storytelling, social media, and written communications.
- Create and maintain a webpage that includes national best-practices and success stories for working with rural churches.
- Manage out of state travel arrangements for staff and National Connect participants.
- Coordinate 2-3 webinars a year in consultation with FIRC team, including advertising, registration, evaluation, and follow-up for webinars.
- Coaching/on-going program support to Connect Church participants.
- Work with FIRC team to maintain systems for National Connect Church and Connect Church NC new participant selection. This includes planning for recruiting, processing applications, managing selection, and on-boarding system for new churches and partners.
- Serve as point of contact for national consulting requests. Work with FIRC team to respond in timely matter and follow-up on requests.
- Provide support and technical assistance for the development of Virtual Connect.
- Work as a hub connecting the goals and activities of all FIRC programs and staff.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate when appropriate.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
- Approaches work with an equity framework.
- Proficient with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrates mastery of using Salesforce for streamlining project management.
Education and Experience:
- Extensive experience working with faith based communities and/or rural economic development, or a combination of equivalent experience and education.
- Experience and comfort working with churches and rural communities
