Community Development Specialist

The Wooten Company is seeking an innovative and driven Community Development Specialist with a strong funding / technical writing background and experience working with local governments to join our Special Projects Team.
ABOUT THE WOOTEN COMPANY
We are a multi-disciplinary firm dedicated to providing engineering, architectural, and geomatics services to municipalities, counties, water and sewer authorities, educational institutions, mission critical facilities, and private industry across the Carolinas. We provide our clients with consulting for civil / environmental engineering, mechanical / electrical / plumbing engineering, architecture, and GIS / surveying services. These departments work together with our team of funding specialists to provide financing assistance for many local government projects, and we pride ourselves on having helped secure over $600 million in grants and loans for infrastructure improvements and community enhancements. As communities across North and South Carolina face ever changing environmental and economic challenges, we remain dedicated to providing and improving the infrastructure necessary to remain one of the country's best places to live, work, and raise a family.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct data research, information collection and technical writing for environmental reports to support architectural and engineering projects
• Collaborate on strategies for grant and loan applications and assist with document preparation, assembly, and submission to funding agencies
• Administer existing grants and loans by tracking project progress, conducting internal and external reporting, developing historical records, and working with staff to ensure programs are meeting funding program conditions and expectations
• Track federal, state, and local government policy trends and developments relating to project funding to align with client needs and long-term goals
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and funding agencies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree in Political Science, Non-Profit Management, Technical Writing, Public Administration, Municipal Management, or similar concentration; MUST have one of the following minimum combinations of education and experience:

- Bachelor's degree AND 3-4 years of professional experience;
- OR Master's degree in similar concentration AND 1-2 years of professional experience;
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience (including internship experience)

• The ability to take raw data and craft quality narratives to obtain funding
• Strong conceptual, organizational and computer skills including:

- MS Office
- PDF editing software
- Internet research
- Data visualization

• Accurate research, record-keeping, information tracking and data-entry skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrate independent problem-solving and decision-making skills with minimal oversight but also as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong reading comprehension, written, and verbal communication skills
• Major course work in planning, environmental science, or public administration
• Data-driven mindset with strong attention to detail
• Related past internships or professional experience
• Teachability; take instruction well and apply it accordingly
• Adaptable and able to customize data to meet different business need

Requirements
Who are you? The Community Development Specialist is a results-oriented individual, matched with strong tactical and innovative ideas, outstanding interpersonal skills, and crisp decision-making in the face of complex challenges. The right person for this position will have a passion for hands-on project management, analytical and problem-solving skills, and an ardent desire to help those who need it. You are not afraid of research, are computer savvy, and able to draw conclusions from raw data. You are interested in helping communities prosper through your work.
What will you be doing? Candidates can expect to work on critical projects such as funding applications, administration, and monitoring for various agencies such as NC DWI, NC Commerce, HUD, NCDOT (NC Dept Transportation), and USDA Rural Development to support architectural and civil engineering projects. This candidate will also be responsible for research and preparation of environmental reports for Federal and State agencies to support various project funding applications. Additionally, it is the expectation that this candidate will grow to participate in all aspects of project administration from strategy to funding research, to project implementation, and project close out with our clients. The Community Development Specialist will craft persuasive narratives while acting as a creative consultant in order to make our clients stand out and obtain funding for deserving communities.
Who will you be working with? Externally the Community Development Specialist will work with clients in smaller- and mid-sized local governments and government funding agencies. Internally, you will be working with our Community Development Lead and various architectural and engineering project managers from across our different locations. You will also have direct access to the funding agencies across the state with which you will interface on a regular basis.
Where will you be working? While The Wooten Company has six offices located in North Carolina and South Carolina, this candidate will work in out of our Raleigh, Greenville, or Winston-Salem offices, all of which are located close to their vibrant downtown areas. Most work will be conducted in-office, with occasional travel (~10%) to our clients and funding program agencies.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.. While in the field, staff may be exposed to adverse weather, including extreme temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Candidates may also be occasionally exposed to unpleasant conditions and substances, including noise, dust, chemicals, vehicular exhaust fumes paint, traffic hazards, noxious plants, and wildlife.
The Wooten Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Recruiting Agencies, Please Note
The Wooten Company will not accept unsolicited assistance from recruiting/search agencies for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by recruiting or search agencies to any employee at The Wooten Company via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search/recruitment agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of The Wooten Company. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by The Wooten Company because of the referral or through other means.