Local Government Advisor

Local Government Advisor

GADD is the regional council of government and federally designated Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living, along with the federally designated Economic Development District by the Economic Development Administration, serving Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan Counties in east-central Kentucky since 1969.

The Local Government Advisor is responsible for supporting regional planning and community development initiatives through research, data analysis, and strategic planning. Key duties include preparing comprehensive and long‑range plans, managing grant‑funded projects, and providing guidance to local communities to advance growth and development goals.

• Entry level

• Full-time

• Legal

• Government Administration

• Conduct research and analyze data to support regional planning and community development initiatives within the Gateway Area Development District (GADD) region.
• Prepare strategic and long‑range plans related to multi‑disciplinary regional planning for communities within GADD, including comprehensive planning, water, wastewater, stormwater management, and economic development.
• Organize and administer federal, state, and local grant‑funded programs such as CDBG, Appalachian Regional Commission, Rural Development, and Economic Development Administration projects.
• Provide guidance, technical assistance, and support to local governments, utilities, and special districts.
• Identify and pursue new initiatives, funding, and grant opportunities aligned with regional development goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure effective project implementation.
• Monitor and evaluate projects to ensure compliance with regulations, timelines, and objectives.
• Draft reports, presentations, and recommendations for regional planning efforts.

Provide any additional technical assistance needed to support the planning and project development needs of the Gateway counties and cities.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree or higher in government, history, geography, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Certification and Trainings:
  Valid driver’s license; CDBG Project Administrator Certification obtained and maintained after hiring; participation in professional development trainings.
• Experience:
  
  Entry‑level position. One (1) year of related experience and/or internship preferred.

Required to sit and stand for extended periods, reach, stoop, crouch, bend, use fine motor skills, operate a vehicle, lift and carry up to 30 pounds, and conduct GPS field collection in urban and rural areas.

Sight, hearing, speaking.

Indoor office work and outdoor data collection or project site visits in varied weather and terrain, possible wildlife encounters, intermittent standing/sitting/stooping, extensive computer and phone use, and frequent interruptions.

Normal business hours; nights and weekends for special events, training, and meetings; regular regional and state travel; occasional out-of-state travel; and times of extended trips.

Standard office equipment, fleet or personal vehicle, cellular/tablet device, Trimble Geo7X/Trimble R2 GPS collection equipment.

• National Environmental Policy Act
• Professional Services Procurement
• State and federal funding programs
• Grant writing and project administration processes
• Local government and non‑profit operations, organization, functions, and challenges

• Oral and written communication
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Attention to detail
• Meeting organization and facilitation
• Project and budget management
• Data collection, management, interpretation, and analysis

• Be present and punctual
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Work under stressful situations with patience and tact
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co‑workers, officials, and the public
• Teamwork
• Exercise initiative and judgment
• Initiate, organize, and manage planning…