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Job Description
Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN) and our partner, Friends of the Tug Fork River, seek one full-time community organizer to work on community development projects along the Tug Fork River. The Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC) will be based in southern West Virginia, in or adjacent to McDowell County. The initial contract will be for one year, with the potential to be extended. This is a full-time, salaried position, but we are open to discussing a part-time arrangement for the right candidate (pay prorated accordingly). LiKEN () is a non-profit organization headquartered in Winchester, Kentucky, with a mission to help communities grow good livelihoods based on local assets, to build community health and wealth, and to take evidence-based action for future well-being based on a deep understanding of the past. We work on projects to protect and care for resources that people depend on for basic life needs - such as safe and affordable water, healthy forests and food, vibrant culture, equitable and dependable access to land and public revenues. is a nonprofit organization formed to preserve and protect the Tug Fork River and its watershed, raise awareness of its history, and develop recreation, tourism, and economic opportunities for the area.
Job Description:
We are looking for an energetic, people-oriented individual passionate about contributing to the well-being of communities in the Tug Fork River watershed in southern West Virginia. The first responsibility in this role is to listen deeply to the diverse perspectives within the community. You will organize outreach, recruit participants, and help facilitate various community development projects. You will play an essential role in motivating and supporting people as they come together to identify needs and solve local problems while building effective communication and collaboration among diverse partners - including community members, nonprofits, local and state officials, and researchers. For the first year, this job will focus on "," a project supporting community-led efforts to restore ecosystems, build forest and river-related businesses, and generate income for small forest landowners, including heirs property owners. Applicants are not required to have experience with forestry, agriculture, heirs' property, or nonprofits. This information will be learned on the job while working closely with program directors and contractors. The most important qualification is a passion for the people, land, rivers, and forests that make up their local communities and ecologies.
Responsibilities include:
Recruit and engage project participants through outreach and relationship-building Work one-on-one with landowners, connecting them to services and resources Organize and participate in educational and planning workshops Create action plans; plan and generate turnout for events Train community members in organizing and leadership skills Conduct research, read scholarly articles, write reports, and produce content Maintain communication with team members, partners, and project participants Facilitate and support community members in their contacts with public officials, agencies, technical experts, and researchers Essential qualifications: Residence in or close to McDowell County, West Virginia Experience bringing people together and guiding them toward collective action Ability to work independently, think strategically, and be organized in a fast-paced work environment Ability to complete complex assignments in a timely manner, conduct research with accuracy and attention to detail, and document activities adequately for other team members Ability to work well as part of a team, with a variety of people, in small groups and large crowds Strong speaking and writing skills Skills in conflict resolution Proficient with computers, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, especially around river and forest environments Ability to work some evenings and weekends with occasional travel for 3-4 days at a time Personal characteristics: Commitment to LiKEN's goals and values Ability to get along well with people from diverse backgrounds Kind, empathic, patient, and community-oriented Self-starter, open-minded, and ready to learn Desire to seek out and learn from feedback Respectful of human differences and nonjudgmental An outstanding candidate will have some of the following: Personal and/or family roots in, and firsthand experience of Appalachian KY and WV, and a good understanding of the region's history and challenges Experience with organizing and outreach tools (social media, Zoom or other online meeting platforms, creating and distributing flyers, etc.) Bachelor's degree in a related field, such as sociology, social work, psychology, anthropology, geography, folklore, political science, history, education, Appalachian studies, forestry, agriculture, or peace studies.
Salary and Benefits:
The starting salary is $39,000-$42,000, depending on experience. Benefits for full-time employees include paid time off (10 days holiday, 10 days vacation, and 10 days of sick/personal leave), 50% employer-paid health insurance coverage (for individual only), SIMPLE IRA retirement plan, basic life insurance, plus voluntary employee-paid vision, dental, disability, and supplemental life insurance. How to Apply Application materials must include a resume or CV, three professional references, and a brief statement explaining why you are interested in the job and why you are a good candidate.
Please send application materials to:
Steve Kruger, Director of Forest Livelihoods, jobs@likenknowledge.org . All documents should be in either Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). LiKEN Knowledge is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We are committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.
Pay:
$39,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
