RAINREADY PROJECT ASSOCIATE
Steven C. Philpott, Sr.
Published: January 28, 2016
RainReady Neighbors is a first-of-its-kind service to engage owners and residents of neighboring properties to improve localized water management. With an initial focus on flood relief in the Chicago region, the RainReady Neighbors Associate will work with community members, agency partners, and job training programs to design and test the service. Solutions may include residential downspout disconnection, drywells, rain gardens, and tree plantings. The program seeks to bridge a critical gap between flood reduction measures implemented at the level of the individual property and city-wide solutions.
Accountability
The RainReady Neighbors Associate will report directly to the Manager of RainReady Community, and collaborate closely with other CNT staff on operations and production activities.
Responsibilities
The Project Associate will work closely with the RainReady team to design a neighborhood-scale flood relief and stormwater management program and advocate for widespread implementation. The Associate will also contribute to RainReady research and leadership in the region and nationally.
Responsibilities include:
- Design and pilot a new service to deliver localized flood mitigation strategies across a target neighborhood (10-50 homes)
- Engage flood victims, community groups, political leaders, technical experts, construction specialists and housing experts to develop an integrated program
- Work with technical experts to create menu of design options for residential downspout disconnection and other solutions
- Create outreach strategy to reach property owners in target communities and coordinate construction, maintenance, and monitoring of installations
- Educate local leaders in support of neighborhood-scale flood reduction measures
- Plan and manage outreach events, including volunteer coordination
- Support regional partnerships and funding opportunities
- Team support: participating in the activities of the wider RainReady team, from meeting with policy makers to attending community mapping workshops. Your work will support policy development, data analysis, risk modelling, the development of accreditation standards, workforce development, and the development of communication and outreach materials (such as factsheets, videos and photos).
Evening and weekend work will sometimes be necessary.
Skills and qualifications
- Experience in community organizing and outreach to under resourced populations
- Communications, in particular, working with clients, residents, public works officials, academics and other stakeholders. You must have good workshop presentation skills
- A bachelor’s degree, ideally in urban planning, landscape design, environmental studies, community studies, or related field
- Exceptional organizational and coordination skills
- Strong interest in sustainable community development and mission-based organizations
- A demonstrated attention to detail
- Strong writing skills
- Valid driver’s license and legally be able to drive in the state of Illinois. Company vehicle is provided for work-related travel.
Desirable
- Organizing experience in Chicago’s South Side or south suburbs
- Knowledge and expertise in the use of flood mitigation strategies and/or green infrastructure best management practices - within the public rights-of-way, on public land and on private property.
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Landscape design and/or illustration skills
- Salesforce proficiency
The Center for Neighborhood Technology is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This is an Exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To Apply
Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to:
Center for Neighborhood Technology
Human Resources - RRH
2125 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Email to: Careers@cnt.org
No phone calls please.
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