Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Position Description

Performs responsible professional work in the area of community development, with specific focus on rural planning and housing in both the Commission’s urban and rural areas. Planning activities can include technical work in mapping and data analysis, stakeholder engagement, presentations to boards and committees, project management, development of studies and plans, and administrative support for relevant subcommittees of the Regional Commission. A particular emphasis is placed on experience with rural local government.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $51,000 to $61,000 based on education and experience.

Why Work for the Regional Commission?

• For a wealth of information about why our region is a great place to live, visit Get2KnowNoke.
• Want to know what’s happening in the region, from concerts to bike rides to winery tours and beer festivals? Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge has everything you need.
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The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission serves one of the best areas for outdoor amenities and natural beauty in Virginia, if not the country. The most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob, lies within our borders. Carvins Cove, the second-largest municipal park in the nation, contains over 60 miles of biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails within its 12,000 acres, and is part of one of our largest member governments, the City of Roanoke. Smith Mountain Lake, with over 500 miles of shoreline and boasting some of the fastest economic growth in the state, is part of our region. The Roanoke Valley greenway network contains over 400 miles of paved and unpaved trails within the urban footprint of the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem, and Vinton, including almost 26 uninterrupted paved miles along the Roanoke River. The James River in Botetourt and Alleghany Counties provides access to boating, tubing, camping, and more. Almost half of our member government Craig County is part of the Jefferson National Forest. We have the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a mountain in the middle of our urban center with the largest free-standing man-made illuminated star in the world, the Mill Mountain Star, on top.

The City of Roanoke is a League of American Bicyclists recognized Bicycle Friendly Community, and the Regional Commission was recently designated a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business. Roanoke has also received a Silver designation as an International Mountain Biking Association Ride Center. It’s the only East Coast city to receive the designation.

If you want to hike, ride, boat, camp, climb, or stargaze, working for the Regional Commission puts you in a place where you can access any of this in a short drive, and sometimes even right from your front porch.

Have a specific interest and want to know if there’s something here that meets it? Contact Get2KnowNoke at info@get2knownoke.com or us at rvarc@rvarc.org and we’ll help you out.

Benefits

In addition to market-competitive salary, the Regional Commission offers several additional quality-of-life benefits:

• Flexible schedule, including up to two designated telework days a week, and flexible telework options to meet day-to-day family, professional development, and other All employees telework every Friday.
• Professional development and certification The Commission covers the cost of achieving and maintaining appropriate certifications such as AICP and GISP. Attendance at one major industry conference a year is encouraged, and regular web- based or in-person training and skills-building opportunities are available.
• As a public agency, employment at the Regional Commission may qualify you for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• For active transportation aficionados, as a Bicycle Friendly Business, the Regional Commission provides on-site indoor bicycle parking and an e-bike is available for all
• Competitive health insurance through Anthem Blue Cross Blue
• Matching contributions to a 459 plan that increases with your time at the

Typical Work Tasks

• Conducts studies, relating to a broad range of community development planning projects;
• Assists localities and development agencies in determining and activating projects and programs, securing funding and continuing operation and monitoring of programs;
• Provides assistance to the Director of Community Development in the coordination of the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and implementation of related economic development work;
• Researches topics related to special planning areas and prepares reports as required;
• Reviews and analyzes program proposals and may oversee the administration of grant programs, including grant preparation;
• Prepares program proposals, grant applications and contractual reports;
• Serves as a liaison with state and local offices, providing information and sharing related technical reports and presentations;
• Represents the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission at various meetings in a professional manner in presentations, meetings, and interactions with the public and elected and appointed officials;
• Works with the Community Development team to identify synergies in programs across planning areas, including environmental and hazard mitigation planning;
• Works with the Director of Community Development to identify opportunities with collaboration with other stakeholders and departments, such as transportation planning;
• Provides technical and management assistance to other agencies involved with planning activities;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The candidate must have:

• Knowledge of the theories, principals, practices and techniques of planning related to community development and housing;
• Ability to analyze and accurately compile in a systematic manner statistical and technical information;
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and well-organized technical reports;
• Ability to present technical reports in a way that is accessible to stakeholders;
• Ability to proactively meet internal and external project deadlines;
• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Knowledge of the current literature and recent developments in the region;
• Familiarity with Federal programs from EDA, ARC, HUD and others;
• Experience with economic development data and planning;
• Familiarity with Virginia policies and agencies, including Virginia Housing, DHCD, and others.

Preferred Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in planning; geography; public administration or a closely related field and a minimum of one to three years of planning experience; OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in any of the aforementioned fields with a minimum of four years of experience in planning; OR a high school diploma or GED with a minimum of five years related professional work experience.

Continuing Education

This is a mid-to-high-level position within the professional development track. Dedication and willingness to continue education through attendance of conferences, participation in professional associations; and/or completion of courses, certificates, seminars, or distance learning modules is encouraged for advancement to subsequent positions of technical expertise and/or responsibility.

Physical Effort, Dexterity, Visual Acuity, Hearing, and Speaking

The physical exertion requirements of this job are classified as light work. In general, lifting or carrying tasks are not more than 25 pounds. Walking and standing is often necessary to carry out job duties, and field work involving navigating both paved and natural surface trails is common. The job requires normal visual acuity, depth perception and field of vision. Individuals must be able to speak clearly in person and over the phone.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RVARC is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer and to provide a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions at RVARC are based on agency needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to any status protected by law. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. RVARC may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.