Help Strengthen Rural Communities Through the Power of Faith and Collaboration!
What happens when faith communities become catalysts for community-wide change? At the NC Rural Center, we believe they can help transform rural communities by bringing people together, addressing local challenges, and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Through our Faith in Rural Communities (FIRC) program, we partner with rural churches and community leaders to build community hubs that address the spiritual, physical, and economic needs of their neighbors. We are seeking a Church Engagement Specialist who is passionate about community development, energized by building relationships, and committed to helping rural communities turn ideas into meaningful action.
In this role, you will work alongside faith leaders, community partners, and diverse stakeholders to strengthen local leadership, facilitate community-driven solutions, and support the development of programs that create lasting impact. If you are a collaborative problem-solver who believes in the power of people, partnerships, and purpose to move communities forward, we invite you to bring your talents to the NC Rural Center!
Background:
Since 1987, the NC Rural Center has worked to improve the quality of life for the state’s rural people and places. Our mission is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. We serve the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low-to-moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. The NC Rural Center is a dynamic, nationally recognized non-profit that supports rural communities through leadership training, community capacity building, small business lending, research, and advocacy.
The NC Rural Center’s Faith in Rural Communities (FIRC) program sees local faith communities as catalysts to build community focused projects that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. FIRC supports rural churches to create community hubs, providing for the spiritual, physical, and economic needs of the wider community. We work with local leaders to integrate equity and strategic planning best practices into building relational programs that include all members of the community in the design and execution. FIRC builds this leadership capacity through training, coaching, and grant assistance to rural faith communities.
Position Overview:
The FIRC Church Engagement Specialist will be an integral part of the Faith in Rural Communities team and will report directly to the Senior Program Manager of FIRC. This position is funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment and The Duke Endowment. THIS IS A TIME-LIMITED POSITION WITH THE POSSIBILITY TO BECOME PERMANENT. ANTICIPATED TIMELINE IS JANUARY 2027 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2027.
Role Responsibilities:
- The FIRC Church Engagement Specialist will report directly to the Senior Program Manager of Faith in Rural Communities and has the following responsibilities:
- Provide community development coaching and facilitation to faith communities and community teams. Community teams may include diverse faith, non-profit, community, and government leaders
- Oversee a process of curriculum continuous improvement and development with FIRC Team Members
- Assist with implementing a system for measuring and evaluating programmatic impact in partnership with Director of Research and Senior Program Manager of FIRC
- Ensure compliance with all funding requirements
- Participate in team and full staff meetings and other relevant internal meetings
- Participate in external partner and stakeholder meetings as needed
- Maintain knowledge on current best practices and models in faith-based community development
Qualifications:
- At least 5 years working with faith communities and/or rural economic development, Bachelor's degree in a related field, or a combination of equivalent experience and education
- Master’s Degree in related field preferred
- Experience and comfort working with churches and rural communities
- Ability to develop and propose practical solutions to rural challenges
- Experience with or an understanding of community economic development
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with project partners and stakeholders
- Appreciation for working with diverse staff and communities
- Approaches work with an equity framework
- Commitment to constant learning and continuous growth
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation abilities
- Ability to travel within North Carolina
- Occasional work in the evenings and on weekends is required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Salesforce.
The NC Rural Center offers excellent benefits and salary commensurate with
experience. Benefits include health, vision and dental insurance, retirement contributions, holidays, and paid-time off.
The NC Rural Center is an equal opportunity employer.