Community Coordinator - Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group - East Hills Consensus Group : Job Details

BACKGROUND:

PCRG is a nonprofit membership organization of community development corporations (CDCs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and community service groups in Western Pennsylvania. PCRG builds the capacity of community development leaders to achieve racial and economic equity in the Allegheny region. To accomplish the work, we ensure that our region has one voice in organizing for financial lending equality, addressing land use and blighted property, transit, and infrastructure. In addition to its own knowledge and capacity, PCRG utilizes its connections to members, businesses, government, and communities to drive positive changes in social policies, services, and products activating opportunities of or low- and moderate-income and minority communities. Action-focused policy development and implementation is fundamental to advancing our mission. Public education and awareness of issues impacting those we serve, and PCRG's related initiatives, programs and achievements are central to our success. Our blend of technical aptitude, paired with a heritage of effectively organizing diverse community-based organizations, has netted long-lasting positive change throughout Southwestern PA and beyond.

PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY

In partnership with East Hills Consensus Group, utilizing PCRG's Reimagining Communities Initiative the Community Coordinator under the direction of the EHCG Executive Director will utilize the PCRG Team and its capacity building tools to assist the organization grow while implementing a blight reduction and prevention program in the neighborhood of East Hill. This program will take a two-pronged approach to neighborhood revitalization, restoring personal wealth by attracting new homeowners and investment, returning vacant properties to residential use, while at the same time, identifying and supporting financially at-risk residents through direct service provision.

The Community Coordinator working in conjunction with the Executive Director will be responsible for working with partners involved with property and land use of this on-the-ground program. Through organizing, communication, research, and education, the Community Coordinator will empower residents, seek partners, and identify opportunities and develop programs to restore vacant properties to productive use.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement an Outreach and Communications Strategy as it relates to residents, partner and stakeholder engagement; public education; on blight reduction.
• Maintain and build contact lists and outreach activities to fully reach East Hills residents through appropriate mediums, including:
• Engage residents on an ongoing basis to understand their needs
• Create regular communications updating stakeholders as to project activities and direction, including newsletter distribution, social media platforms, marketing, and mailings
• Build community through the identification and engagement of neighborhood champions who will work to advance change in East Hills
• Create and implement a new resident recruitment strategy, identifying appropriate messaging and methods of engagement
• Host workshops and convene other meetings as needed to build an educated resident base
• Work with East Hills Consensus Group Chair and EHCG Executive Director to identify neighborhood focus areas, program and service gaps, and areas of opportunity
• Cultivate relationships with adjoining community groups
• Represent the Consensus Group at appropriate coalition and working groups as assigned
• Maintain Neighborhood Housing Inventory Survey via data collection/synthesis and windshield survey, focusing on the identification of vacant and abandoned properties and homeowners at risk of foreclosure
• Work with PCRG Team and East Hills Consensus Group Executive Director to carry out policy-related activities including research; benchmarking; writing briefs and letters of support; speaking at public hearings; holding meetings with elected officials; and representing the neighborhood at related functions
• Maintain positive relationships with staff, Executive Director, East Hills board members, membership, external stakeholders, and elected officials, informing them of ongoing movement toward meeting goals and objectives
• Community and housing promotion to various parties, including realtors, prospective home buyers, developers, and others.
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

A minimum of a bachelor's degree in public policy, Urban Planning, Community Organizing, or a related field. One year of graduate education may substitute for one year of experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent research, analytical skills, presentation, and writing skills
• Advanced knowledge of the Pittsburgh Community Development system and network
• Ability to synthesize multiple viewpoints and opinions
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software. (Knowledge of web/graphic design a plus)
• Excellent interpersonal, meeting facilitation, and communications skills
• Working knowledge of land recycling/reclamation tools and processes in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Understanding of common property title issues found on vacant/abandoned properties, and ability to communicate these issues to residents and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of City of Pittsburgh Building Code Violations and Disruptive Properties Ordinance as well as methods for mitigating code violations
• ArcGIS skills are a plus, but not required

PERSONAL SKILLS

• Strong community leadership skills, and understanding of and sensitivity to issues in the communities and public policy areas;
• Sensitivity in dealing with minority issues and proven ability working with diverse communities and neighborhood organizations;
• Flexible and adaptable to change;
• Sets high goals and standards of performance for self,
• Maintains and promotes social, ethical, and organizational norms in conducting internal and external business activities.

The position is full-time, with some evening and weekend work, reporting to the East Hills Executive Director. It is grant-funded for one year with the possibility of refunding. It offers a bases salary range of $40,000 - $50,000 annual salary, with full benefits package as outlined and described in PCRG Employee Handbook.

PCRG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on sex, race, age, national origin, ethnic background, family status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.