GIS Program Director, Hopeworks ‘N Camden

Posted by on August 22, 2003

GIS Program Director

Hopeworks ‘N Camden (<a href="http://www.hopeworks.org">http://www.hopeworks.org</a>) is an innovative youth development program that uses the skills of geographic information systems (GIS) and web site design and development to work with urban youth in Camden, NJ. Hopeworks exists for two reasons. One is to reduce the high school dropout rate for African-American and Hispanic youth in Camden. The other is to create hope, good-paying jobs, business development and educational opportunities for those Camden youth-specifically African-American and Hispanic youth between the ages of 17 and 25-that have dropped out of school. There are 8,000 such youth in Camden.

Hopeworks has an advanced curriculum and training program by which youth are able to earn college credits and gain valuable professional skills. As part of our program Hopeworks offers GIS services to paying clients using the projects as an opportunity for training and youth development.

The GIS Program Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for the following areas:
1. Youth Development
a. Provide a positive role model for youth, encourage respectful interaction with others and respect, care and ownership for Hopeworks and their lives
b. Involve youth in project planning, client interaction and team management. Structure learning through projects that are managed by trainees, encouraging both independence and teamwork.

2. GIS Project Management
a. Seek out new GIS business revenue. Manage timeline and workload for all the GIS projects, keeping projects within budget and deadline constraints.
b. Able to work independently, be extremely organized, and able to keep cool under deadlines. Must be able to oversee multiple projects.

3. Resource Development
a. Write/modify curriculum and plan training relating to GIS for Hopeworks trainees in light of current and anticipated projects
b. Make decisions on GIS hardware and software needs, keeping track of emerging technologies

4. Instruction
a. GIS and related data management software (ArcView 8.x, MS Access, Excel, etc)
b. Seek out and oversee accredited GIS training from local/online colleges as well as other training opportunities from ESRI, New Horizons, etc.

SKILLS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
1. Self-motivated and independent
2. Interest and desire to work with an innovative youth-development program and be involved with the lives of youth.
3. Understanding of the concepts of geographic information systems
4. Experience with ArcView 3.x or ArcView 8.x; Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word
5. Experience with additional GIS software (ArcEditor/ArcInfo; ArcView Extensions- Streetmap, 3-D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, etc; ArcPad/ArcPad Studio); SQL; Microsoft Access/PowerPoint/Publisher/Outlook are pluses.
6. Additional skills for client interaction are also pluses: Writing (grants and business proposals), Public speaking and presentations, Sales

HOURS/SALARY
* 40 hours/week
* $40,000-$55,000 (commensurate with experience)

Required:
With their resume, applicants must include a writing sample explaining what they find compelling about working with a youth-development program such as Hopeworks ‘N Camden.

All applicants should submit their resumes via post. No online applications or phone calls will be accepted.

Address:
Hopeworks ‘N Camden
Attn: Jeff Putthoff
543 State Street
Camden, NJ 08102
<a href="http://www.hopeworks.org">http://www.hopeworks.org</a>