This position assists and supports Eastern Shore small towns and directs efforts in rural municipal administration and related community/economic development services. The position will interface directly with local elected & appointed officials, community volunteers, non-profit, state and federal agencies. The Circuit Rider will perform duties under the supervision of the MRDC Rural Infrastructure Coordinator and in cooperation with MRDC Community Development personnel. This position will also have Technical Assistant Provider duties. Technical assistance providers provide direct assistance to rural communities that are low-to-moderate income and less than 10,000 population, however we focus on those communities under 2,500 or less population to assist with their water and wastewater infrastructure needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Circuit Rider Duties:

• Municipal Administration – prepare draft public notices, municipal ordinances, charter amendments and budgets. Acts as liaison with other municipal staff, county, state, and federal government representatives. Supervises other town employees when authorized

• Loan/Grant Preparation/Administration – prepares applications for federal and state loan/grant programs. Administers approved projects

• Communication and Information – analyzes specific problems and provide appropriate advice to town staff and to elected officials. Maintain familiarity with federal and state program laws and regulations as well as issues/problems endemic to rural municipal governments. Must be knowledgeable regarding trends and policies in municipal finance, human resources management, general management and public administration

• Other Services – provides informal assistance. Attends meetings regarding town affairs and as requested

• Assist members in need of improved water/wastewater and other municipal services

• Assist communities in operations/management and administrative services

• Facilitate local short/long term planning efforts as required

• Specific technical assistance may include any of the following:- Regulatory compliance- Problem identification- Project administration/Project development/Administrative training - Community surveys- Operator assistance/training- Initiate engineering reviews

• Promote community volunteer activity to support local efforts

• Interface with local and regional technical assistance and funding entities

• Project Development/Facilitation in cooperation with Rural Infrastructure Team

• Submit reports as required to MRDC and/or funding agencies in a timely and concise manner

• Attend meetings and/or training(s) as required to successfully perform duties

Technical Assistance Provider Duties –

• Provide direct and/or distance technical assistance to small, rural communities

• Plan and/or deliver training as needed by a community or specified by our operating grant parameters

• Perform outreach and networking

• Program development

• Perform research and analysis and publish results; administrative duties as required

• Work performed will be in the technical areas of: wastewater, water and training as well as management and financing using a TMF approach (Technical, Managerial and Financial)

• Conduct operation and maintenance evaluations - work with clients to evaluate the conditions of water and/or wastewater facilities; make recommendations for improvements, repair or staff development

• Provide technical assistance - deliver direct technical assistance and service to clients; work one on one with utility operators, managers or decision makers demonstrating proper techniques used to operate a small utility and maintain facility equipment

• Training - plan, prepare and deliver technical training at various conferences institutes, workshops, clinics or client agencies

• Provide financial management training as well as hands-on assistance in bookkeeping, preparing financial reports, cost of service, budget and analysis assistance to water and wastewater systems

• Also provides direct assistance to communities with development of infrastructure projects and the management of those projects through construction, community understanding and capacity building for future sustainability

Requirements

Education and Qualifications:

• Four year degree in program development/planning, public administration or related field preferred

• Four years’ experience in rural based development and/or operations of rural municipal government, economic or community development projects preferred

• Proven ability to work with representatives of low income communities as well as federal, state and local governments

• Proven written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to travel within state and regionally as required (personal vehicle with reimbursement)

Maryland Rural Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

• Short Term & Long Term Disability

• Training & Development