Broadband expansion is on the rise, with billions of dollars in federal funds available to make an impact nationwide. But who will manage the deployment of funds from the Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan Act? According to Pew, broadband offices in each state require an immediate surge in staffing and permanent capacity to help close the digital divide in unserved and underserved areas.
In 2020, more than half of the 50 states set up broadband offices, many with one or two employees at the helm. Today, every state and territory has formally designated an office or agency to serve as the primary broadband entity, reported Pew.
With the onslaught of federal funding for high-speed internet expansion, the number of full-time employees across state-run broadband offices has increased. Pew’s broadband access initiative, which works with state and federal policymakers and other partners to accelerate the nation’s progress towards universal, affordable broadband, had identified 68 job postings across 29 states from September 2021 to September 2022.
Research shows that states with newly-created broadband offices accounted for the majority of roles posted, including office directors and administrators. Pew found that states are filling or back-filling positions across the board from the top down, including community engagement, digital equity, geographic information systems (GIS), grants, legal, and more. Average salaries for positions range from approximately $45,000 for office administrators and generalists to $130,000 for directors, though salaries across states vary.
So, what type of positions are needed for broadband offices to be successful? Digital equity experts, technically-skilled employees, and grant managers are vital. Pew reported that digital equity is a critical component required under the bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Digital Equity Act program “is intended to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of high-speed internet connections.” State broadband offices must include digital equity activities within their plans and ongoing programs, which also requires proper staffing of digital equity specialists.
Another skill set needed by broadband offices includes technical positions, including GIS and data specialists, to support mapping efforts, especially as states look to verify and supplement the federal broadband map. In addition, qualified grant management professionals are desired to manage the complex programmatic reporting requirements and individual projects. These positions are critical as state broadband offices are both recipients and distributors of multiple federal programs and some state-funded programs.
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