Neighborhood Specialist - Neighborhood Services Department

City of Phoenix (AZ)•Phoenix, AZ

73d•$66,186 - $113,195

About The Position

The Neighborhood Services Department's (NSD) mission is to preserve, enhance, and engage Phoenix neighborhoods. Our investment in healthy neighborhoods is an investment in our residents, a sense of community, and shared pride. The Neighborhood Engagement Division (NED) supports this mission through providing education and quality customer service to residents, helping them access city services and programs. NED is made up of various customer service and engagement functions to provide a seamless, consolidated effort to address resident and community needs. Neighborhood Specialists plan, develop, and organize neighborhood groups involved in community self-help and improvement projects. Their assignments focus on specific city areas and specialized initiatives such as Graffiti Free Phoenix, PHX C.A.R.E.S., the Gated Alley Program, Neighborhood College, Love Your Block, and other city programs. This role supports creating and delivering educational programs and training efforts that boost neighborhood leadership, civic involvement, and community development. Additional responsibilities include guiding residents and neighborhood associations on property maintenance and supporting neighborhood activities. A working knowledge of land use, zoning, development, and public hearing processes is also essential for neighborhood improvement projects. The successful candidate must be able to coordinate, facilitate, and attend neighborhood meetings, events, and activities, city council functions, and other meetings as part of the job requirement. Many of these meetings require a flexible schedule to include nights, weekends, and some holidays.

Requirements

Four years of experience in planning, developing, and organizing neighborhoods.
Including experience in community relations work and with neighborhood associations.
Bachelor's degree in planning, urban affairs, or public administration.
Other combinations of education and experience that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with diverse populations.
Experience making presentations to the public.
Experience developing training materials and conducting training.
Experience in program/project/event planning beginning to implementation.
Experience in organizing neighborhood groups and working with community programs.
Experience with urban planning techniques and zoning applications for revitalization efforts.
Experience building, coordinating, and maintaining community and agency partnerships.
Spanish-speaking is preferred.

Responsibilities

Attend neighborhood meetings and community-based City Council functions.
Facilitate community-based problem solving.
Design and develop curriculum that teaches neighborhood groups how to be sustainable.
Ensure curriculum and trainings are current.
Collaborate on informational trainings with other city departments.
Organize and provide leadership to neighborhood organizations.
Prepare and facilitate neighborhood improvement action plans and activities.
Serve as a liaison between residents and the City of Phoenix.
Develop partnerships with various neighborhood stakeholders.
Work with neighborhood businesses to participate in neighborhood organizations or business alliances in their geographic area.
Engage and grow the capacity of neighborhood organizations within a geographically assigned area.
Coordinate projects and serve as team lead for special assignments.
Support Special Initiatives/Programs such as PHX C.A.R.E.S, Gated Alley Program (GAP), and others.
Develop a working knowledge of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (C.P.T.E.D.).
Prepare and conduct presentations, trainings, and workshops related to neighborhood improvement and leadership development.

Benefits

Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
Dental, vision, and life insurance options
Employer paid long-term disability
Free Bus/light rail pass
Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi