Community Development Associate Internship

Overview

Community Development Associate Internship: Strategic Communities Planning and Consulting

Location: Mostly remote (75%) with occasional field work in NJ neighborhoods and meetings in New Brunswick

Strategic Communities Planning and Consulting is a mission-driven consulting venture focused on supporting and strengthening community development organizations, affordable housing developers, and other non-profit and public sector clients. Strategic Communities works in the areas of planning, strategy, policy, capacity building, and grant writing.

Position Summary:

Strategic Communities is seeking a summer Community Development Associate Intern. This intern position will primarily focus on supporting two specific projects: 1. an ongoing neighborhood planning effort in Central NJ; and 2. grant applications to the NJ Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program on behalf of several neighborhood-based community development organizations. This position will occasionally be assigned other research, writing, analytical, or administrative tasks supporting other projects and priorities.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. Please submit your application as soon as possible, as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and before the application deadline of April 25, 2025.

Key Duties:

·        Writing, revising, and editing grant applications, reports, presentation material, preparatory documents, and other content

·        Data analysis and planning-related research

·        Supporting the preparation for community planning meetings and post-meeting compilation of notes and materials.

·        Production of maps, photos, charts, and other materials needed to advance project goals

·        Correspondence with clients and stakeholders regarding scheduling, project tasks, and follow-up

Key Qualifications:

·        Knowledge of community development, planning, and non-profit management strategies and practices through study, experience, or some combination

·        Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to quickly and accurately integrate feedback and comments from reviewers into written drafts

·        Demonstrated ability and discipline to understand expectations, meet deadlines, and consistently produce high-quality work

·        Strong analytical skills

·        Ability to verbally communicate in a professional and relaxed manner with both clients and everyday community members

·        Familiarity with basic budgeting and accounting practices and strategies, as relates to grant management, real estate projects, and non-profit organizational management

·        Experience working with diverse populations and guiding productive discussions with a diverse range of viewpoints

·        High proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office, Google Suite

·        Familiarity with other mapping or design software like ArcGIS, Canva, Adobe, etc.

·        Strong character, including honesty, integrity, and accountability

·        Bonus, but not required: Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish

·        Bonus, but not required: Prior experience writing and/or managing grants of any size and type

Please still consider applying even if you don’t meet every qualification perfectly.

Position Parameters:

·        Part-Time: Approximately 20 hours per week on average

·        Pay Rate: $25 to $32 an hour, depending on experience, though open to negotiation with especially experienced candidates

·        Schedule: The start date of this position can be either the Week of May 12 or the Week of June 2. The position will run until the end of August 2025. The intern will be expected to work three set workdays each week, with occasional availability to attend a community meeting outside of regular hours. The schedule for this position can accommodate any pre-scheduled vacation or travel.

·        Location: Approximately 75% of the work will be done remotely from your home office. However, this position must attend a biweekly in-person check-in meeting in New Brunswick, and be available to occasionally visit client neighborhoods, and attend in-person community meetings in north and central NJ. Work-related travel is reimbursed at the current federal rates.

·        Term: This is a temporary summer internship, with a planned end date in August 2025. However, there is a possibility that it could be extended into the Fall semester, depending on business circumstances and the intern’s performance.

·        This position will provide an opportunity to get hands-on, professional planning experience, along the lines of that required for AICP certification. It will also provide an opportunity to work with some of the top community-development organizations across the state, and to develop skills and experience related to grant writing, which is valuable in the non-profit sector.

To Apply:

Please email your resume, and, optionally but encouraged, a brief cover letter to Jason Rowe at jason.rowe1@gmail.com. Please write “Community Development Associate Intern” in the subject line.

Please apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as they arrive. The deadline to apply is April 25, 2025.

Even if you do not meet every job qualification, please still apply if you feel passionate about this opportunity.