• Job Description

  Req#: 4304956
  West Hills Community College District
  Office Location: Firebaugh Center
  
  Project Director - RUBICON
  
  Administrative Range 42
  Hiring Range: $113,015 - $119,898 per year
  Full Range: $113,015 - $147,460 per year
  
  
  *This position is contingent on continued grant funding*
  Summary
  The Rural Broadband Initiative Co-Op Network (RUBICON) project will give unserved and underserved communities a powerful voice that allows them to cross the digital divide in the Central Valley. Rubicon, from the phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” is symbolic of taking action that will alter future events in a powerful and draws parallels to 20th-century electrical Co-Ops that brought equitable change to rural America.
  
  
  To achieve this, the RUBICON project focuses on four high-level objectives and outcomes that span household and agricultural broadband adoption:
  1. Co-Operative Formation: Facilitate the formation of a broadband cooperative aimed at providing broadband services to unserved and underserved communities in our service area.
  2. Feasibility Study and Market Analysis: Completion of a feasibility study to help guide the steering committee with technology selection and to get a better understanding of current coverage limitations within the service area.
  3. Developing a Framework to Enable Growers' Adoption of Broadband in the Fields: Enable growers to adopt agriculture technology, by creating a framework for providing technical and financial assistance to design and install Wi-Fi or wireless service availability to growers' agricultural field areas.
  4. A Focus on Digital Literacy Education: Provide training and resources for digital literacy to encourage and enable residents to effectively use broadband services.
  
  
  Distinguishing Career Features
  Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Information Technology, a key objective for the RUBICON Project Director is to develop and maintain community relations, coordinate steering committee events, and manage concurrent projects related to the four areas of the grant. This position requires excellent communication skills combined with an entrepreneurial mindset to lead efforts focused on building equitable outcomes with community members, regional leaders, partners, and vendors.
  
  
  Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  Overall, the role of the Director is critical for the successful implementation of this project, as it involves overseeing multiple complex objectives and ensuring that resources are effectively managed to achieve meaningful outcomes for both households and agricultural communities.
  
  1. Project Planning and Management:
  • Develop a comprehensive project plan that outlines timelines, milestones, and resource allocation for each of the four objectives.
  • Establish clear project goals and objectives in alignment with the grant's requirements.
  • Identify potential risks and challenges and develop strategies to mitigate them.
  • Adapt to changing circumstances or unforeseen obstacles to keep the project on track.
  2. Communication and Public Relations:
  • Engage in public relations efforts to raise awareness of the project's goals and achievements.
  • Communicate project progress and impact.
  • Encourage cultural and ethnic diversity in staffing, curriculum, programs, and services.
  • Promote, communicate, and facilitate partnerships with private and public businesses, industries, and community or public agencies, as appropriate.
  • Participate in community, state, and national organizations and meetings related to area or special assignments, as needed.
  3. Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including community leaders, broadband providers, agricultural organizations, and technology experts.
  • Foster strong relationships with partners and steering committee members and ensure their active involvement in achieving project goals.
  • Develop and maintain a network of contacts within the agriculture and food technology industries to support the RUBICON Project.
  4. Coordination of Co-Operative Formation:
  • Lead efforts to facilitate the formation of a broadband cooperative following the USDA’s framework, as outlined in the grant application.
  • Assist with the planning and execution of the steering committee meetings to ensure they operate efficiently to achieve the intended outcomes.
  5. Feasibility Study and Market Analysis:
  • Manage the feasibility study in partnership with consultants or experts in broadband technology and mapping.
  • Report on the study results and coordinate with technology experts to guide technology selection and address discrepancies in broadband coverage maps.
  6. Developing a Framework for Growers' Adoption:
  • Collaborate with agricultural experts to design effective solutions for bringing broadband to agricultural field areas.
  • Oversee the process of collaborating with experts in the creation of a framework that outlines the process for providing technical and financial assistance to growers.
  7. Digital Literacy Education:
  • Bring partners together to implement digital literacy programs and initiatives for residents and growers.
  • Maintain current knowledge of new developments and innovations in community colleges and higher education in general and recommend changes to area programs to meet student and community needs.
  8. Budget Management:
  • Develop and manage the project budget, including tracking expenses, monitoring grant funds, and ensuring cost-effectiveness.
  • Manage financial resources consistent with local, state, and federal policy and sound financial management principles.
  • Seek additional funding opportunities or adjustments to the budget as needed to meet project objectives.
  9. Monitoring and Reporting:
  • Establish a system for monitoring project progress and outcomes, including data collection and analysis.
  • Prepare regular reports for grantors, stakeholders, and the organization's leadership.
  • Ensure compliance with all grant requirements and regulations.
  • Maintain detailed records of project activities, expenditures, and outcomes for auditing and reporting purposes.
  • Continuously assess the effectiveness of project strategies and make necessary adjustments to achieve objectives.
  • Seek feedback from stakeholders and community members to enhance project outcomes.
  
  Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  
  • Grant Management Experience:
    • Demonstrated experience in managing grants and projects, preferably in the telecommunications, broadband, higher education, or rural development sector.
  • Project Management Skills:
    • Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, execute, and monitor complex projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
    • Leadership skills to guide project teams and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders toward common goals.
    • Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to identify issues, develop solutions, and make informed decisions.
    • The capacity to adapt to changing project circumstances and handle challenges and setbacks with resilience.
  • Financial Management:
    • Proficiency in budgeting, financial analysis, and grant financial management to ensure funds are allocated and spent effectively.
  • Community Engagement:
    • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and partners.
    • The ability to build and maintain a network of industry professionals, experts, and potential funding partners.
    • Understanding of community development principles and strategies for engaging with diverse communities and addressing their unique needs.
    • Proficiency in public relations, media relations, and effective communication to promote the project's objectives and achievements.
  • Broadband and Technology Knowledge:
    • A basic understanding of broadband technology, mapping, and digital literacy programs to effectively collaborate with experts and consultants in these areas.
    • Familiarity with the challenges associated with expanding broadband access in rural areas.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting:
    • Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting to track project progress and outcomes accurately.
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
    • Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to grant management.
    • A commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in all grant-related activities.
    Physical Abilities

    Position requires the ability to exchange information, moderate lifting, bending, and reaching above shoulder, sitting, or standing for extended periods and dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer terminal and other office equipment.

    
    
    Minimum Qualifications

    Commitment to diversity, cultural competence, and anti-racism. All applicants must have demonstrated sensitivity, understanding of, and commitment to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff.

    Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline AND one year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.

    
    

    A valid California Class “C” driver’s license is required.

    
    
    Preferred Qualifications

    Project management experience . A master’s degree in a relevant field such as business administration, public administration, or project management. Work history in the areas of telecommunications, broadband, higher education, or rural development sector. Grant experience . Bilingual in English and Spanish.

    
    

    Working Conditions

    Work is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Travel to locations throughout and outside of the District is required.

    REQUIRED MATERIALS:

    1. Cover letter
    2. Online District application
    3. Professional resume
    4. Unofficial transcripts from an accredited institution verifying course work completed and degree(s) received.
    *Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidates responsibility to make sure the application packet is complete.*
    
    West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.
    
    Background Check: All of our positions require the ability to pass a background and live scan.
    
    Selection Process: Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a qualifications screening by a committee. Those demonstrating the strongest backgrounds related to the position will be invited to interview.

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