Community Organizer, Southwest Community Development Corporation

Posted by on February 17, 2014

Southwest Community Development Corporation
JOB DESCRIPTION
(Updated 1/2014)

Title:    Community Organizer – Full Time

Position Summary:

Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee (NAS) is an extension of the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) of the City of Philadelphia, the purpose of which is to organize communities, promote housing programs, and provide information to residents. This information is provided through various methods, including Service Area Briefings (community meetings) and our quarterly newsletter.

The community organizer will report to the operations manager. The organizer is primarily responsible for targeting low-moderate income people; aid in the prevention or elimination of blight; and/or meet community needs having a particular urgency. They will be responsible for implementing all activities under the contract with OHCD.

Responsibilities:

The NAS is responsible to provide neighborhood citizens with adequate opportunity to participate in neighborhood level planning; contribute to the direct delivery of services by City sponsored programs; and to be the representative organization to provide information and assistance on the activities within the NAS boundaries.

NAS activities and Programs:
–    Promote City housing programs and disseminate information and track referrals and services.
–    Promote programs and services of Southwest CDC.
–    Organize and facilitate quarterly Service Area Briefings (SAB) community meetings in the target area, on a topic determined by the NAS members.
–    Facilitate education workshops associated with NAS programs.
–    Actively link organizations and institutions to the community.
–    Have knowledge of the neighborhood and the resources within our CDC target area.
–    Develop news articles for the Southwest Globe Times related to community development.
–    Keep neighborhood resource directory updated and distributed.
–    Attend regular neighborhood-wide community meetings (CityLights, 12th Police District Workshops, Police District Advisory Council, etc.)
–    Advocate on behalf of PHA tenants regarding repairs and/or services.
–    Organize and recruit block captains and hold quarterly meetings to discuss neighborhood-wide issues.
–    Organize zoning meetings to encourage citizen participation on an as-needed basis. Follow up with letters to the Zoning Board of Adjustments and submit an article on zoning changes to the Southwest Globe Times.
–    Prepare and publish a quarterly newsletter and/or a full page ad in the Southwest Globe Times promoting the activities of the NAS and services of the City.

–    Southwest Pride Day Parade and Festival:
1.    Assist in recruiting volunteers
2.    Participate in the planning committee
3.    Carry out related tasks

–    Neighborhood Beautification:
1.    Distribute gardening supplies (tools, seeds when available)
2.    Promote greening, gardening and gardening education.
3.    Actively market and promote any greening programs.

–    Administrative Reporting:
1.    Submit a monthly report, staff activities and issues requiring OHCD attention.
2.    Report the number of people receiving services on a monthly basis.
3.    Prepare and distribute minutes for the NAS meetings.

–    Any and all other tasks assigned to you by the operations manager.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.  This job description may change as a result of instructions of the funder, amount of funding and/or at the beginning of the contract year.

Southwest CDC will accept resumes until the position is filled.

Send resumes and cover letter to:  Lorraine Thomas at lorraine@southwestcdc.org.