Broadband Project Coordinator (Program Analyst 3)

Do you have a passion for closing the digital divide?  Are you a self-starter who wants to connect industry and communities to resources?  Business Oregon and the Oregon Broadband Office are looking for someone that can connect Central and Eastern Oregonians to resources to help close this gap. If this sounds like a great opportunity for you, please apply!  Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, is currently hiring a Broadband Project Coordinator (Program Analyst 3). This position will help municipalities, tribes, counties, internet service providers and affiliated organizations assess their needs, and to facilitate and oversee the application process for broadband funding programs. This position is within the Oregon Broadband Office and works directly with eligible organizations in developing projects and providing technical assistance during the application process.

 

Note: We value our employees and want to encourage work-life balance and flexibility. This position will serve Central and Eastern Oregon and may have the ability to work remotely with the occasional required days in the Bend, Pendleton, or Salem offices.

What you will do:

 

·       Provide on-going technical assistance in areas such as mapping of unserved and underserved areas, network strategies, and federal laws and state laws related to telecommunication and broadband networks.

 

·       Develop relationships with state legislators, federal and local government officials, tribal members, internet service providers, and metro and rural communities to inform opinions of statewide broadband programs. Bring parties with diverse opinions together and work towards the Broadband Office’s goal of providing broadband access to all Oregonians.

 

·       Lead communities in developing and packaging projects to leverage the use of broadband funding programs.

 

·       Work directly with the fellow Broadband Office staff, Regional Development Officers, and eligible applicants in developing projects and provide technical assistance during application process.

 

·       Analyze project eligibility and technical feasibility.  Compare the application against relevant laws and regulations, determining whether the proposed project is feasible and cost effective and programmatically eligible for funding.

 

·       Develop contractual agreements between Department and applicants stating the terms and conditions on which applicants will receive awards, including project phases, release of funds provisions, compliance with applicable laws.

 

·       Evaluate project performance and deliverables to make certain project results are meeting the intended goal and objectives.

 

Business Oregon strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed.  We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background.  We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed.  If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

 

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of some or all of the following skills:

 

·       Experience initiating and advising others on broadband program requirements, policies, and procedures.

 

·       Experience in project development and management, preference for infrastructure projects.

 

·       Experience developing contractual agreements and contract management.

 

·       Demonstrated experience addressing issues and providing solutions to telecommunication or technology problems.

 

·       Experience establishing and strengthening professional relationships with internet service providers, communities, tribes, coworkers, and other diverse stakeholders.

 

·       Prior and/or current experience using federal rules and regulations to achieve outcomes.

 

·       Demonstrated ability to work independently and be self-motivated, as well as the ability to be part of a team and be supportive to colleagues across agency divisions. Must possess skills to manage multiple tasks and learn complex information quickly.

 

Please note: if you are interested in applying for this position, you must attach your current cover letter and resume to your application. Failure to submit the required resume and cover letter will remove your application from consideration.

 

What you need to qualify:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or a degree related to the agency program that demonstrates the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and four years of experience coordinating or administering a program
OR;
Any combination of experience or education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skill requirements listed for the classification.

 

What Business Oregon does:

Business Oregon is the economic development agency for the state of Oregon. We have about 150 people on our team, and we work with communities and businesses. We use our programs and expertise to help businesses grow, so they can in turn add jobs, diversify the economy, and increase Oregon prosperity. We work with communities to enhance and expand infrastructure and community safety with projects such as water/wastewater systems, seismic rehabilitation for schools, or rural broadband development. This also sets the stage for future business development. Our mission is to invest in Oregon’s businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy, all carried out with an agency strategic plan.

 

The Oregon Broadband Office is a relatively recent addition to Business Oregon and is responsible for administering broadband programs on behalf of the state. Our office is comprised of ten people and is continually growing in preparation to administer large amounts of federal broadband funding coming to Oregon.

 

How to Apply Please Note: Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM PST on September 25, 2023.

 

·       Click the “Apply” button to complete your online application.

·       Attach your current cover letter and resume. Failure to submit the required resume and cover letter will remove your application from consideration.

·       Complete the questionnaire.

·       The candidates whose work experience most closely matches the qualifications and skills of this position will be invited to interview.

·       Warning – Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity and will not save your application progress. You must submit your application after you begin the process.

 

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:

Family Friendly Work Life Balance: Paid time off, 11 holidays and 3 personal days annually, & optional short- and long-term disability benefits.
Take Care of Yourself and Your Family: Comprehensive employee benefits, choice of medical plans, vision plan, life insurance, employee assistance program.
Invest in Your Future: Pension plan, deferred comp, short- and long-term disability plan, flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
Be Appreciated: Employee recognition events, agency unique employee recognition program allowing for additional leave options such as vacation buy-out and sick leave roll-over, dynamic employees doing impactful work.
Inclusion: At Business Oregon, we value community and foster a sense of belonging for our employees.

Additional Information:

·       Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.

·       It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations to all applicants who may need them.  Should you need assistance, or an accommodation please contact Employee Services at: Biz.HumanResources@biz.oregon.gov to discuss how we can best meet your needs.

·       Veterans’ Preference – Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans’ preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process. Click on the Veterans’ Preference link for additional information.

·       Criminal Records Check – Hiring of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the results of a Criminal Background Check.  Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

·       Work Authorization – The Oregon Business Development Department (dba Business Oregon) does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

·       This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

·       This position is a classified, full-time position, exempt and is not represented by a union.

·       PERS – This is a PERS qualifying position. After a six-month waiting period eligible Management Service, Executive Service, and Unrepresented employees will have their base pay increased by 6.95% and the 6% PERS contribution deducted from their base pay rather than a direct 6% contribution by the State of Oregon to the employees PERS account.  This will mirror the bargained SEIU and AFSCME PERS process.

 

Business Oregon is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.