Neighborhood Specialist

City of New Haven•New Haven, CT

About The Position

ANTICIPATED VACANCIES Are you ready to take on a challenge that matters? Do you believe in the power of vibrant neighborhoods and thriving communities? If so, we have a rewarding opportunity for you. We are excited to announce the opening for a Neighborhood Specialist who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our city's neighborhoods. As a Neighborhood Specialist, you'll be at the forefront of community development, working collaboratively with a dedicated team to administer a dynamic program. This is more than just a job; it's a chance to make a lasting impact and leave a positive legacy. We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Neighborhood Specialist to join our team in a challenging and rewarding role. As a Neighborhood Specialist, you will play a crucial role in coordinating and managing a diverse range of community activities. This position requires close collaboration with fellow team members to administer a complex program aimed at enhancing the vibrancy and development of our neighborhoods. The ideal candidate will be proactive, adaptable, and enthusiastic about community engagement. The Livable City Initiative (LCI) is a neighborhood-focused agency with a mission to enhance the experience of the individuals who live and work in the City of New Haven. We achieve this mission and vision by encouraging the involvement of other city agencies, the public and enterprise. Through the cooperative efforts of the private sector, we will create a vibrant and exciting New Haven. LCI seeks to accomplish this mission through: Enforcement of the city's housing code and public space requirements. Design and implementation of housing programs to support high quality, affordable, and energy efficient housing opportunities. Educating and increasing awareness on solutions for neighborhood concerns. Design and implementation of public improvements and programs to facilitate safer, healthier, and more attractive communities. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS The primary function of the Neighborhood Specialist is to coordinate and manage a wide range of community-related activities with a specific focus on neighborhood-specific projects identified by the Livable City Initiative and the Economic Development Administration. This includes collaborating with team members, various City departments and state regulatory agencies, establishing and maintaining relationships with neighborhood associations and community groups, developing economic development objectives and strategies, preparing status reports and updates, maintaining records, and delivering presentations to relevant stakeholders. This role requires a willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary, to achieve the objectives of neighborhood groups and City Officials.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Graduation from an accredited college or university preferred, with course work in Community Development, Public Administration, Urban Affairs, Economics, Political Science, Sociology/Social Work, Criminal Justice, Communications/Marketing, or a related field; and 2-5 years’ experience in economic development, community development or urban planning, community outreach and engagement, public relations, project management, public relations/communications, community event planning & coordination, or related roles; 2-3 years’ experience in local government or nonprofit preferred; and the following skills and abilities:
Knowledge of municipal/urban affairs, and theories, practices, and strategies related to community development.
Knowledge of how local government departments and agencies interact, and the regulatory processes involved in community development.
Familiarity with and ability to keep current with relevant laws, regulations, and codes governing community development, housing, and public spaces.
Experience in planning, executing, and overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
Demonstrated ability to understand and respect diverse cultures and perspectives within the community groups.
Experience in organizing community events and activities.
Ability to manage and coordinate volunteer efforts within a community.
Experience in working closely with different departments, agencies, and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Skill in building and maintaining effective relationships with community members, local organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and to make presentations.
Proficiency in using applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Understanding of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for community outreach and engagement.
Competency in using email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) and calendar applications for scheduling meetings and managing correspondence.
Experience in collecting, analyzing, and presenting data.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to analyze and understand local policies and their impact on communities.
Ability to advocate for community needs with various stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary.
Must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and Certification in Nonprofit Leadership & Management (CNLM) are desirable.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with various City departments and state regulatory agencies to address community concerns and guide projects; for example, may assist with the planning and execution of neighborhood beautification and cleanup initiatives.
Establishes and nurtures relationships with various neighborhood associations, management teams, Alders, and other community groups to develop strategic initiatives such as revitalization, engagement, small business support, and crime prevention.
Supports efforts to improve public safety and address concerns related to crime prevention in the neighborhoods.
May act as a liaison between local businesses, non-profit organizations, and residents to encourage collaborative efforts in community improvement projects.
Develops project-specific economic development goals, strategies, marketing plans and public relations campaigns.
Facilitates community engagement events and activities, community outreach events.
Prepares detailed status reports, updates, and other documents as required.
Maintains computer database and related records as necessary.
Prepares and presents reports, findings, updates, and related information to staff, Boards, and Commissions as required.
Conducts thorough research and analysis on neighborhood-specific needs and opportunities for improvement.
Monitors and evaluates the progress and impact of community development programs, providing regular reports to stakeholders.
Monitors and responds to inquiries and feedback from residents, addressing concerns and seeking solutions collaboratively.
Performs activities related to enforcement of municipal plans and ordinances, i.e., i mplements and enforces the City’s Anti-Blight Ordinance.
Performs related work as required.