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 :

1. Aerospace and Defense
2. Advanced Manufacturing
3. Business Services
4. Energy
5. Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Website: www.b3kprosperity.org

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

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 .

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.)