Rural Development Specialist- ( Nevada)

Position Description

The Rural Development Specialist (RDS) provides technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) assistance to small, disadvantaged community water and wastewater systems and Tribal utilities so that they can operate sustainably and deliver quality services to the communities served.  The RDS works closely with utility operators, utility managers and community leaders to assist them in the operation and management of drinking water and wastewater systems. The RDS also prepares and delivers classroom, virtual and individual trainings as needed to build the capacity within utility staff.

Specific job goals, objectives and tasks are established for each employee as part of the annual evaluation process. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide hands-on technical assistance and training to rural drinking water operators
• Assess utilities’ needs and recommend solutions to identified gaps
• Provide direct assistance and service to utility staff to build technical, managerial, and financial capacity to achieve long term sustainability 
• Provide access to federal, state and local financing and grant opportunities to address utility needs
• Promote and facilitate partnerships to maximize limited resources
• Develop, prepare, and deliver group and one-on-one trainings
• Provide excellent customer service  
• Prepare activity and outcome reports as required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to manage technical aspects of field work related to water and/or wastewater
• Be community oriented and able to work with rural and Tribal communities with varying cultural beliefs and traditions, and to demonstrate sensitivity and discretion in all aspects of work
• Facilitation, mediation and meeting management skills in person and online
• Ability to troubleshoot, innovate, and problem-solve
• Proficiency with personal computers including Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to complete administrative and reporting requirements related to work responsibilities in a timely manner
• Ability to listen effectively and communicate, verbally and in writing
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and effectively prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to work independently as well as in team environments
• Experience hosting or presenting trainings using online platforms

Physical Job Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work performed in an office requires the ability to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment, including the telephone.  Use may be moderate (average 2 hours per day) to heavy (4 or more hours per day).

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time; walk; talk; hear; use hand to finger; handle; feel or operate objects tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. 

The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

This position also requires moderate (up to 2 days per month) to heavy (up to 10 days per month) automobile and airline travel, including overnight travel. 

Preferred Education and Experience:

A combination of experience and education is required to qualify for the position. A typical qualifying combination would be:

Experience:

Three years of applicable experience in water, wastewater, environmental project management, or other closely related field (if a higher level of related education is possessed than is required, this education may be substituted for the experience requirement up to a maximum of one year). Experience in training, facilitating and mediating community programs/projects is highly desirable.

Preferred experience working with Tribal communities

Education:

High School diploma or equivalent with qualifying experience required.

Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

Desired Certifications:

Water or wastewater operator license

 RCAC employees are federally mandated to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.