PT Project Associate/ Intern

Overview

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 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, and implementation on tailored efforts to build strong and thriving communities, empower community leaders, create good jobs, provide quality affordable housing, and improve public health and quality of life.

Strategic Communities is seeking a part-time Project Associate to support our dynamic client engagements. The Project Associate will perform planning, research, grant-writing, project management, and content production and editing tasks to support existing client engagements.

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 and management, which are valuable in the non-profit and public sectors.

Specific Duties Include (but are not limited to):

·        Writing and editing memos, plan drafts, grant applications, reports, and other content

·        Data analysis and planning-related on-the-ground research

·        Supporting the preparation and execution of community planning meetings, including occasional facilitation of discussions at meetings and notetaking.

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

·        Performing accounting and budgeting tasks related to grant management or housing development projects

·        Correspondence with clients and stakeholders regarding scheduling 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

·        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

·        Bonus, but not required: Familiarity with other mapping or design software like ArcGIS, Canva, Adobe, etc.

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

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

Parameters:

·        Part-Time: Approximately 10-15 hours per week on average

·       Pay Rate: Target of $30/hour initially, though open to negotiation with especially experienced candidates

·        Schedule/Location: Approximately 75% of the work will be done remotely from your home office. However, this position must attend biweekly in-person check-in meeting in New Brunswick, and be available to visit client neighborhoods, and attend in-person community meetings, which generally occur on weeknights and weekends. Work-related travel is reimbursed at the current federal rates.

·        Term: This position is being offered as a temporary, semester-length position, running through May 2025. However, there is a high likelihood that it can be extended through the summer and potentially longer, depending on business circumstances and employee’s performance.

To Apply:

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

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