The Southern Border Coalition’s mission is to develop a comprehensive regional economic plan that supports high-road jobs, an inclusive transition to a net-zero economy, and empowers and uplifts disinvested communities by fostering equity and creating sustainable opportunities for growth. To fulfill the mission, the Coalition will actively engage with disinvested communities, listening to their needs and perspectives on the future they want for their families and neighborhoods. The Coalition will work collaboratively with community leaders, local organizations, and individuals to co-create solutions that address the root causes of economic, health, and environmental inequity to ensure lasting impact.

Under the general supervision of the California Jobs First (CJF) Southern Border Coalition Principal Investigator, John McMillan, the Industry Investment Coordinator will be tasked with promoting system change and alignment activities. The positions will execute the following activities on behalf of the Southern Border Coalition:

1. Uplift project ideas that were identified in community meetings, Stakeholder Mapping, and reports or initiatives previously identified during Coalition activities;
2. Support the Subregional and Regional Task Groups in outreach about the Catalyst Program funding opportunities in the Southern Border Region, the process for applying for funding, and the sharing of other information related to the Coalition’s Catalyst activities;
3. Work within the Coalition on industries prioritized in the CJF Southern Border Coalition Planning Phase;
4. Provide technical assistance to community members in preparing the pre-development application. The priority and majority of their time will be dedicated to projects that serve disinvested communities;
5. Support the Coalition in cataloging projects that will support the proliferation of the prioritized industries and enhance high-quality job creation; label these projects as “exploratory” (agreed-upon ideas that are at the very initial phases) and “last-mile” (agreed-upon projects that need the final piece of the puzzle to begin development), or identify projects as “non-viable”;
6. Work with Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) staff and regional partners to find and apply for state, federal, and private grants;
7. Meet with project sponsors to learn more about the projects and to prepare additional background for project evaluation, including an analysis of project viability within the constraints of CJF funding;
8. Align Coalition-identified projects with federal funding;
9. Liaise with workforce and economic development partners, High Road Training Partnerships, community-based organizations, and others capable of contributing to the success of the project to build an ecosystem around identified industries or sectors;
10. Provide or procure technical assistance for Implementation grant applications and administration. The priority and majority of time will be dedicated to projects that are led by and serve disinvested communities.

This is a full-time position based out of Imperial Valley that requires in-person work.

This position is grant funded. The grant that funds this position will end on September 30, 2026.

The Industry Investment Coordinator is responsible for but not limited to:

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT - 30%

Support outreach, engagement, and community education activities related to deploying California Jobs First Catalyst funding. This includes supporting the development and implementation of a Training Plan that helps groups historically excluded from economic development planning activities be prepared to participate, lead, submit, and deliver successful projects as well as business matchmaking to ensure local workers and businesses understand and can access employment and procurement related to approved project. Support the development of economic development districts in areas of the region that do not currently have districts. Provide early community engagement on potential projects, including technical assistance in designing projects and preparing the grant application. 

PROJECT FINANCING INCLUDING GRANT WRITING - 25%

Work with regional partners to develop finance and investment strategies for selected pre-development and other priority projects identified by the Coalition. Assist Coalition members to find and apply for state, federal, and private grants and other financing that align with the Southern Border Coalition-identified projects. Conduct thorough research to understand grant guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application requirements. rite clear, concise, and persuasive grant proposals that outline the organization's mission, objectives, and programs. Tailor proposals to meet the specific requirements of each funding opportunity while highlighting the Coalition’s and region’s unique strengths and accomplishments. Work closely with Coalition members and teams to gather information, data, and supporting documents needed for grant proposals and other financing and investment options. To the greatest extent possible, Sector Investment Coordinators shall help identify funding opportunities for all project applicants. Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure proposals are accurate, comprehensive, and submitted on time. Cultivate relationships with potential funders, grant-making organizations, and other stakeholders to expand funding opportunities and strengthen partnerships.

WORKFORCE TRAINING - 20%

Work with regional partners on operationalizing education and workforce training recommendations from Regional Plan and other workforce and educational and training plans that are in alignment, including but not limited to K-16 Regional Collaboratives, High Road Training Partnerships, local workforce development boards, career technical education strategies, and apprenticeships.  Among other priorities that are identified in the Regional Plan, a focus shall be on assisting individuals in the subregion who have less than a two-year degree to gain the skills to participate in career ladders that lead to high road jobs in their subregion.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - 10%

Review submitted applications and submit evaluation packages to the Southern Border Coalition for project selection. Facilitate, troubleshoot, problem-solve, and track the completion of funded projects to ensure funding is spent appropriately, local employment and procurement commitments are met, and anticipated disinvested community benefits are achieved. Make timely progress reports to the fiscal agency, co-conveners, and subregional and regional task groups. Prepare documents, correspondence, and reports; file documents; process standard and electronic mail; use office support technology and systems such as word processing, desktop publishing, Excel spreadsheets, and databases to produce results; process documents and records; make travel and other arrangements; order and maintain supplies; interact with and solve problems for internal and external clients.

RECORD MAINTENANCE - 5%

Maintain and track records; create and maintain standard and electronic records, files and record keeping systems as necessary to ensure goals and objectives of assigned projects are met. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED - 10%

Attend workshops, trainings and conferences, in addition to assisting with project celebrations and events.

Minimum Knowledge and Abilities Required

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills
• Strong research & analytical abilities
• Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and priorities.
• An ability to apply independent judgment, discretion and initiative to address problems and develop solutions.
• Competence in understanding, interpreting, and communicating procedures, policies, information, ideas and instructions.
• Ability to use and quickly learn new office support technology systems and software packages. 

Minimum Education & Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in appropriate field related to program/project, or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in technical or administrative assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (Spanish)

• 2 years of progressively responsible experience in a range of activities that support the implementation of our Regional Plan, including economic and workforce development, project finance, community development training, project management, grant writing, and similar activities.  In demonstrating this experience, please discuss projects, workshops, or other activities in which you used these skills to successfully complete the project. 

• 3 years of progressively responsible experience in economic and workforce development, project finance, community development training, project management, grant writing, or similar activity.

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.