B3K Prosperity (B3K) is a non-profit economic development organization serving Kern County and the City of Bakersfield. As a public/private collaborative effort, B3K brings together business, government, industry, and civic leaders to drive a regional economic transformation where all people prosper and businesses thrive.
B3K implements a multi-prong strategy that includes:
- Spurring entrepreneurial activity and innovation
- Training and educating a skilled workforce aligned to industry demand
- Building civic infrastructure to support economic and human development
- Promoting Kern County as a globally competitive region with a strong quality of life
B3K actively advances five (5) key Opportunity Industries:
- Aerospace and Defense
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Business Services
- Energy
- Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Website: www.b3kprosperity.org
About the Kern Coalition & California Jobs First Program
B3K Prosperity serves as a Convener within the Kern Coalition, a collaborative formed under the California Jobs First (CJF) initiative. The Kern Coalition includes:
- B3K Prosperity
- Kern Community College District (fiscal agent)
- Building Healthy Communities Kern
- Community Action Partnership of Kern
- Kern Inyo Mono Central Labor Council
Together, these organizations aim to advance equitable, industry-aligned economic development, focusing on job creation, community engagement, and sustainable sector growth.
The Coalition is soliciting proposals and coordinating investments that strengthen Kern County’s competitiveness in:
- Clean Energy
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Aerospace & Defense
This role plays a key function in ensuring those efforts are successful.
More info: Kern CCD - Kern Coalition
Role Summary
The Industry Ecosystem Liaison serves as the primary connector between B3K Prosperity, the Kern Coalition, and the CJF Governance Council. The contractor will:
- Lead regional stakeholder outreach and relationship-building
- Serve as a trusted voice with industry, academic, community, and government partners
- Support CJF-aligned program development and proposal evaluation
- Represent B3K in meetings and coordinate multiple sector-driven projects
This is a 12-month, full-time contractor opportunity designed for an entrepreneurial, impact-driven leader with the capacity to navigate cross-sector dynamics and help position Kern County at the forefront of innovation and inclusive growth.
Project Objectives & Focus Areas
- Expand regional outreach with an emphasis on disinvested communities
- Help position Kern County as a hub for frontier technologies
- Convene stakeholders to execute strategies for Clean Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Aerospace & Defense
- Support the B3K Innovation Hub, a cross-sector initiative built around the unique presence of Edwards AFB, NAWS China Lake, AFRL, NASA Armstrong, and other defense-related assets
Key Responsibilities
- Industry Ecosystem Development
- Identify and map industry players across the region
- Convene forums and facilitate collaboration across sectors
- Curate and grow a robust Aerospace & Defense community of practice
- Stakeholder Engagement & Program Delivery
- Manage regional partnerships across academia, government, industry, and military
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and bi-weekly stakeholder meetings (e.g., Energy Group, PG&E Power Group, ESAT Corridor, Capital Summit, etc.)
- Represent B3K at events, meetings, and public convenings
- Operational & Contract Management
- Evaluate RFP processes and support development of CJF-aligned proposals
- Monitor and manage vendor deliverables tied to CJF activities
- Collaborate with the Sector Investment Coordinator and co-conveners
- Deliver monthly performance and activity reports
- Marketing & Visibility
- Act as the voice and tone of the B3K community across digital platforms
- Support storytelling and brand positioning of B3K Prosperity as a regional economic leader
- Maintain contact databases and oversee communications to ensure stakeholder alignment
- Innovation Network Leadership
- Build out the regional innovation gateway—“front door” for investors, startups, entrepreneurs
- Develop national/international credibility through regional programming and strategic partnerships
- Align technical expertise from DoD, higher ed, and economic development groups to increase impact
Ideal Skills & Attributes
- A natural relationship-builder with strong emotional intelligence
- Deep experience across industry, community, academia, and government partnerships
- Skilled at facilitation, outreach, and ecosystem management
- Organized, highly communicative, and detail-oriented
- Strong public presence and ability to lead cross-sector conversations
- Strategic thinker with a passion for equitable economic development
- Familiarity with Kern County is preferred
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Affairs, Economic Development, or related field
- At least 3 years of experience in economic or business development, stakeholder engagement, or project management
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-stakeholder, community-oriented initiatives
Contract Terms & Flexibility
- Compensation:$72,000 – $80,000 (based on experience & qualifications)
- Duration: 12 months
- Invoicing: Monthly, tied to deliverables
- Work Location:
- Remote-friendly
- Optional desk in shared workspace, Downtown Bakersfield
- In-person meetings/events required occasionally throughout Kern County
- Travel: Conference-related travel reimbursed when pre-approved
- Status: Independent Contractor
- No benefits provided (contractor responsible for taxes, insurance, workers' comp, etc.)
