Program Assistant, MDC Rural Forward (Spring 2023 Internship)

Program Assistant (Spring 2023 Internship), MDC Rural Forward

MDC Rural Forward seeks an advanced or graduate-level student to support community-based and community-led technical assistance and consulting services in rural North Carolina.

About MDC Rural Forward

MDC Rural Forward identifies leaders, organizations, and coalitions, with a concentration on rural, and communities in the margins. Grounded in the values of PEOPLE, POWER, PROGRESS, and PARTNERSHIP, we provide an array of community-based and community-led capacity-building services including facilitation, training, coaching, relationship brokering, conflict management, and resource development. MDC is a nonprofit organization based in Durham, N.C., focused on shaping a South where all people thrive. Learn more at MDCinc.org.

About the Program Assistant

The goal of the Program Assistant is to strengthen their understanding of rural community-driven capacity-building services and develop additional skills by supporting MDC Rural Forward staff, community partners, and other constituents. Under the supervision of a Partnership Manager, the Program Assistant will lead a specific project to be determined in consultation with the chosen candidate. The Program Assistant will also support other projects through planning, facilitation, drafting meeting summaries, community outreach and communications, policy research, and/or other administrative tasks (no more than 10%). There is a strong preference for candidates in eastern, or western North Carolina who are available for collaboration and local meeting attendance.

Specific tasks may include:

• Assisting with planning, coordinating, facilitating, and notetaking for meetings.
• Drafting logic models, asset maps, project management tools, and other documents.
• Supporting policy change efforts by researching and summarizing public policy.
• Attending meetings convened by partner organizations.
• Collecting and distributing relevant articles, resources, and opportunities through our email networks and social media outlets.

Key Qualities and Skills

• Experience in community outreach, research, and/or program evaluation.
• Excellent oral and written skills to communicate with a variety of audiences.
• A sincere curiosity about rural communities; willingness to explore issues of inclusion, power, privilege, and diversity; and exceptional commitment to personal integrity, professionalism, and excellence.
• Ability to think creatively and collaboratively, while also taking initiative on projects.
• Skilled in detail-oriented customer service and responsive to community and staff needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual meeting applications, and internet research.
• Written and oral communication skills in Spanish are a plus.
• Commitment

For the fall or spring semesters, our expectation is 20 hours per week for four months. For the summer, our expectation is 40 hours per week for three months. Some flexibility is possible. Rate: $17.00/hour + limited benefits.

Office Culture

Our commitment to our mission and values means sometimes we have long days to be responsive to our community partners and other constituents. We also support our staff in maintaining a strong work/life balance. We take initiative for our own projects, while also working collaboratively.

The MDC Rural Forward team consists of a Senior Program Director, 2 Program Directors, 5 Partnership Managers, 1 Program Administrator, and up to 8 Program Assistants. We coordinate our work and support each other through team meetings every other week.

Our work is primarily in person with some remote work via Zoom. Occasional travel for in-person meetings in rural North Carolina is possible as public health guidance and organizational policy about the COVID-19 pandemic allows.
(Optional) Program Assistants may gain insight into non-profit organizations by attending monthly MDC staff meetings.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter addressed to MDC describing your interest in this position, a pdf version of your resume, and three references on our website via JazzHR. Questions about the application process can be emailed to rfwdInfo@mdcinc.org.

Deadline: October 26, 2022 at 11:59pm

Interview appointments will last roughly 75 minutes and will be held on the following dates:

• November 10, 2022
• November 18, 2022

If you are unable to attend either interview date, please contact our team directly at rfwdinfo@mdcinc.org

MDC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and equity, it is our policy to provide an equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to age, color, race, religion, national origin, disability, military/veteran status, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, or status in any other group, protected by federal or local law or for any other reason. We encourage applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and members of underrepresented groups in order to effectively achieve our mission. Reasonable accommodations are available on request. For more info about MDC, go to www.mdcinc.org.

Thank you for your interest!