(Hybrid) Brownfield Redevelopment Project Associate - WV Water Research Institute

West Virginia University•West Virginia, WV

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) at West Virginia University is hiring a Design & Planning Brownfields Redevelopment Project Associate to support brownfield redevelopment and technical assistance initiatives in West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. The role provides design and planning support for site-specific and community-wide projects, including community meeting facilitation, landscape architecture approaches, concept plan creation, community outreach, project management, capacity building, and relationship development with local, state, and federal partners. The associate helps communities establish environmental, community, and economic development initiatives that improve quality of life, attract investment, and maximize regional resources. Working with the Director, institute staff, and partners, the associate will help identify priorities and opportunities to expand technical assistance services, assist with proposals and grants, facilitate stakeholder meetings, and support the day-to-day work of the Brownfields Assistance Center (BAC). Technical assistance may extend from identifying brownfields through cleanup or reuse. The role also provides program and internal and external project support, responds to inquiries, and independently resolves matters of moderate complexity. The position has an impact on client services and the image of programs and projects, with potential legal liabilities. The role is hybrid, includes a 37.5-hour work week, and requires travel within the Mid-Atlantic region, including single-day and multi-day trips. The associate may meet in person or by telephone with federal, state, community, and private organizations about funded project progress and the Center’s services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Design, Planning, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Geography, or a related discipline.
At least one year of experience in project work, conceptual design development, public speaking, and/or community outreach.
Equivalent combinations of related education and experience will be considered.
All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Project management skills, including the ability to keep multiple projects on schedule.
Organizational skills, including planning work activities, independently maintaining schedules, keeping program and project records and files, and meeting reporting deadlines.
Ability to follow RFP guidelines and compile accurate, complete proposal packages for sponsoring agencies.
Skill in developing timelines and conducting proactive outreach to communities and resource organizations.
Excellent communication skills, including strong English grammar, composition, and verbal communication.
Proficiency with MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, and AutoCAD.
Ability to work flexibly with diverse personalities.
Ability to write progress and final reports, case histories, newsletters, and information briefs.
Ability to interface with state, federal, university, and community representatives regarding project tasks, budgets, and schedules.
Ability to lead meetings and give presentations to sponsoring agencies, county commissions, workshops, and conferences.
Ability to travel independently by car, air, or public transportation to communities and project sites.
Ability to work independently with minimal managerial oversight.
Ability to critique project deliverables and determine whether they meet work-plan objectives.
Ability to solve practical problems involving varied concrete variables and limited standardization.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-form instructions.
Demonstrated technical skills, problem-solving, customer service, communication, organizational support, and self-management competencies, including adapting to change, managing competing demands, meeting commitments, and seeking or offering help when needed.

Responsibilities

Create conceptual master plans using input from development professionals, community members, environmental experts, and other stakeholders.
Design and implement community outreach strategies for engaging the public, researchers, businesses, and state and federal agencies.
Research and map brownfield property and site characteristics, including ownership, parcel and tax information, topography, and landscape features.
Read, analyze, and interpret maps, design documents, technical procedures, and government regulations.
Develop relationships with community and project stakeholders.
Assist with reuse project designs for assigned projects.
Serve as the assigned project contact for communities and local projects, manage stakeholder communications, and facilitate community development activities.
Create and present materials at public meetings and synthesize stakeholder input into illustrative project concepts.
Assist with developing and implementing technical assistance programs, including state and regional initiatives for Mid-Atlantic TAB and the BAC.
Assist with proposals and grant applications for community brownfields projects in response to solicited and unsolicited requests for proposals.
Manage selected projects, ensuring internal and external collaborators follow statements of work, schedules, and budgets.
Assemble brownfields site information for the WV Brownfields Site Inventory.
Represent the BAC at meetings, conferences, and other events as needed.
Develop resources for community distribution and the BAC web page.
Travel within the Mid-Atlantic region as needed and meet with representatives of federal, state, community, and private organizations regarding project progress and Center services.