Organization Description
Austin Coming Together is the backbone support organization for a broad network of private, public, and non-profit organizations that share a vision for a thriving Austin community. Our mission is to increase the collective impact of our member organizations on education and economic development outcomes in the Austin community of Chicago. ACT and our members have created a long-term strategy called ”Thrive 2025,” a blueprint for collective impact over the next 10 years. Thrive 2025 outlines 4 impact goals for our members to achieve—1) Increase access to quality early learning opportunities, 2) create pathways to living wage careers, 3) improve neighborhood safety, and 4) stabilize the housing market. Our work is driven by our core values of unity, commitment, transparency, collaboration, and action.
Micro Market Recovery Program Description:
The Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) is a neighborhood stabilization initiative targeting small geographic areas that are experiencing higher-than-normal problems with foreclosures and vacant homes. Austin Coming Together is the MMRP Austin community partner and works with our members to re-occupy vacant residential buildings and help existing residents to remain in their homes.
Position Description:
The primary role of the MMRP Coordinator is to organize and facilitate administrative, research, project management, and relationship management activities to stabilize the housing market. More specifically the MMRP Coordinator is responsible for:
Responsibilities:
- MMRP Implementation and Compliance
- Research, Program Reporting, and Data Management
- Outreach and Relationship Management (includes Community Partner meetings)
- Attend Court Dates to meet Property Owners and Developers; monitor and report property conditions
- Conduct Site Visits and Quarterly Field Surveys to Assess Property Conditions in the Austin MMRP
- Create Maps and other Visual content (i.e. marketing materials) to promote MMRP properties
Strategy and Development
- Work with the Director of Strategic Initiatives to assess and refine the quarterly MMRP strategy
- Work with the ACT Quality-of-Life Plan (QLP) team to research the boundaries and assess the Austin landscape in the context of the seven (7) issue areas within the Plan
- Work with the ACT Hub team to coordinate and collaborate on events, workshops, and engagements operating out of the Austin Community Hub
- Work with the Lead Organizer and Project Coordinator to insure best practices are implemented
- Work with marketing and communications team members to develop MMRP marketing materials for stakeholder engagement
- Create and maintain an inventory of all vacant properties in the Austin MMRP target area
- Conduct research on all properties in the Austin MMRP that are listed on the MLS, Cook County Land Bank website, in housing court, and all other vacant properties
MMRP Operations
- Provide oversight and support during all activities, workshops, and events related to MMRP activities
- Work with the ACT Office Administrator to ensure calendar is up-to-date and conflict free
- Work with the Engagement team, ACT marketing staff, and community liaisons to increase community involvement and engage various stakeholders in the Austin MMRP efforts
- Manage all web-based and reporting mechanisms to satisfy all compliance requirements
Relationship Management
- Maintain relationships with a diverse mix of stakeholders across our Austin community network and broker new relationships on a local and regional scale
- Assess the interest and potential for ACT member organizations to contribute to planning and investment imperative projects and identify opportunities for member partnerships and collaborations related to MMRP
- Develop periodic communications for relevant stakeholders that commit to support implementation of the Austin Quality-of-Life Plan where those efforts intersect with MMRP
- Create and share weekly vacant building reports with ACT members and members of the Austin Quality of Life Plan Housing Task Force
- Communicate MMRP home purchase incentives to local real estate brokers
- Communicate homeowner resources to property owners in the MMRP
Evaluation and Reporting
- Provide monthly reports to the Planning & Investment Team-Lead and make data-informed decisions related to program changes and improvements
- Submit evaluation reports that capture MMRP activities on a quarterly basis to the Director of Strategic Initiatives
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, or related field and 2-3 years of experience
- Demonstrated ability and commitment to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders around an issue including CBOs, government agencies, business owners and community residents
- Experience working in Westside neighborhoods of Chicago; Austin neighborhood preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision
- Strong communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management and attention to detail
- Extensive research capabilities and experience with data and database management
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel; MS Project and Visio a plus
- Passion for community development
- Strong commitment to ACT’s mission, vision and values
Skills preferred, but not required:
- ArcGIS / Spatial Analysis
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Real Estate Finance
- Budget Planning and Management
- WordPress
- MailChimp / Email Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Social Media
- Bilingual
Hours and Compensation:
This is a part-time contract position. The MMRP Coordinator is expected to work up to 25 hours per week at $20/hour; including evenings and weekends for special events. This position reports to the Director of Strategic Initiatives.
To apply, please email a copy of your cover letter, resume and a writing sample to Shavion Scott, Director of Strategic Initiatives by clicking on the link below:
Application deadline: April 17, 2020
For questions regarding the position, please call 773-417-8612.
