Broadband Community Planner at Communities Unlimited, Inc. – Houston, Texas

The Broadband Community Planner position assists communities with broadband planning, understanding their broadband needs, addressing challenges, and facilitating solutions. The BTAP will work in communities across CU’s seven state footprint (TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN) with broadband education, broadband planning, digital equity, and digital literacy initiatives to help communities be better broadband advocates for themselves and address their high-speed-internet connectivity, access, adoption, and use gaps. This position requires extensive travel to work with targeted communities across the region, as well as attendance at training and industry events.

CU offers a range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance. An Employer 401k Match, paid holiday, vacation and sick time.

Education/Certification Requirements

OPTION A: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, information technology, public administration, community development, or a related field and 1 year experience working in community development, community organizing activities or broadband related planning.

OR

OPTION B: A minimum of 6 years' experience working in community development, community organizing activities or broadband related planning.

Must maintain a valid driver's license, have reliable transportation, an acceptable driving record, and at least the state minimum personal liability auto insurance coverage.

Must be authorized to work in the USA.

Experience/Skills Requirements

Experience that demonstrates working knowledge of one or more of these capacities: community or economic development planning, broadband planning, digital literacy, digital equity, telecommunications, internet service providing, information technology, network design, community organizing, state or federal government grants administration or policy analysis, rural economic development, business management, project management, finance, lending; and have the willingness to learn about all of the above. Experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of challenges faced by rural communities in CU’s geographic service area.Experience writing successful federal / state grant applications, and federal / state grant reporting is preferred.Ability to build effective professional relationships with a diverse audience.Ability to work independently with limited supervision to accomplish goals.Ability to manage competing timelines and project deliverables while maintaining effective communication with team members and clients.Ability to think creatively and prioritize problem-solving.

Summary of Essential Job Duties

Digital Equity. Based on project and community objectives, job duties could include:

Offer basic broadband education presentations, in-person or virtually, to elected officials, community stakeholders, and interested community members. Research community needs and barriers; report findings to help form a community Broadband Plan.

Broadband Planning. Based on project and community objectives, job duties could include:Establish and lead an active local broadband steering committee of diverse community stakeholders, maintain regular meetings. Ensure planning progress by maintaining contact with members, setting reasonable goals, and helping community team achieve them. Facilitate introductions and discussions with community stakeholders and internet service providers to identify challenges and opportunities to increase access and encourage partnerships.Educate the community on the importance of broadband and specific opportunities that could come to their community with greater broadband expansion.Collaborate with state and federal program staff on education events to offer information and resources to communities. Attend industry conferences, to maintain industry knowledge and contacts.Finalize a written report of recommendations based on community’s unique situation and goals to be included in a community Broadband Plan.

Tools Used in Job

Proficient use of a computer, internet, smart phone (texting, email, photos, videos, social media, and calls), web-based databases for data-entry, Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required. The use of additional software for project-related activities may be required, and training will be provided.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

EOE