Martindale-Brightwood Community Builder
The Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC) was established as the East Side Christian Center in 1941. In 1946 the Center became a home mission of the American Baptist Churches, USA. As a result of this affiliation, the services and programs of the center expanded to include social services to strengthen families in the neighborhood. EMCC is actively seeking a Community Builder for a one year, Fixed Duration engagement. The Community Builder will report to the MOVE MB committee on progress toward agreed upon goals and will be supervised by EMCC and MOVE MB representatives.
BACKGROUND:
Since 2004, stakeholders in Martindale Brightwood have coalesced to address challenges and opportunities that directly impact neighborhood residents by developing a community Quality of Life Plan. In 2012, the community revisited previous iterations of the plan to review progress and plot a course for continued movement. The plan clearly identifies the community’s priorities, while also delineating appropriate responsibility to facilitating partners.
Currently at its halfway point, EMCC and QoL partners have identified a substantial need for a dedicated staff position that will support and ensure that partners can maintain a sense of accountability for their contributions and commitments identified in the QoL Plan.
PURPOSE:
Martindale-Brightwood Community Builder is a position designed to increase and improve the connectivity, vitality and attractiveness of Martindale Brightwood neighborhoods; actively engage neighborhood residents in community-building and community change; and provide outreach opportunities for young people to be more involved in their neighborhood.
The Community Builder will support neighborhood plans and functions to ensure achievement of goals and program success. The selected candidate will work with stakeholders to strategize, organize, inspire and mobilize community members. He or she will be responsible for asset development, maximize opportunities for neighborhoods, identify new leaders and strengthen community-based organizations. The Community Builder will also be responsible for increasing community usage and visibility of 37 Place and increase its brand as “The Heartbeat of Martindale Brightwood.”
The community builder position is scheduled for 40 hours per week; however, night and weekend hours may be required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Assist with agenda setting for One Voice meetings, Town Hall meetings, and community-wide events.
● Attend all One Voice and action team meetings and MOVE MB meetings.
● Communicate QoL meeting schedules and activities to the neighborhood and partners through various means (calls, emails, social media, letters, speaking engagements, flyer distribution).
● Manage schedule of activities at 37 Place.
● Be the liaison at the Northeast Corridor Quality of Life Plan meetings.
● Identify and follow up on funding opportunities for 37 Place activities and Martindale-Brightwood fundraising needs.
● Assist residents, groups, organizations and institutions with identifying neighborhood assets and needs.
● Work with neighborhood convening organization to monitor neighborhood activities and their impact.
● Work with residents, groups, organizations and institutions to identify and nurture emerging leaders in the neighborhood.
● Assist in creating partnerships between families, residents, neighborhood-based organizations, faith-based organizations, city/state government, health and human service providers, community development corporations, job training, and educational institutions, housing, local businesses and other community assets.
● Share data and provide access to information for the benefit of residents, groups, organizations and institutions. Compile, assemble and distribute stories about the neighborhood community building, planning and implementation process.
● Organize and coordinate neighborhood meetings specific to community building and quality of life planning.
● Provide hands on skill development and capacity building to neighborhood residents, groups, organizations and institutions.
● Engage in neighborhood events for outreach and public relations.
● Support residents, groups, organizations and institutions in the process of relationship development within the neighborhood. Increase the number of individuals engaged in block clubs and other neighborhood-based organizations.
● Act as liaison between the neighborhood, the neighborhood convening organization, and City of Indianapolis to facilitate communication and to ensure community objectives are incorporated into ongoing city plans and area development.
● Work with the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) on community building and training.
● Other duties as assigned.
BASIC SKILLS:
● Ability to coordinate tasks within the neighborhood and with external stakeholders as appropriate and required.
● Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
● Ability to communicate and work with people from a variety of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious and political backgrounds, beliefs, and practices.
● Ability to thrive and function in a variety of neighborhood settings.
● Ability and willingness to attend a variety of meetings; regular evening and weekend hours as required.
● Ability to collaborate and negotiate with others to implement and accomplish administrative actions and objectives.
● Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and the organizational skills to coordinate events and processes.
● Detailed oriented and concise.
● Ability to maneuver between multiple community based organizations.
● Ability to work with, utilize, identify, and coordinate the services and support of other organizations and outside resources.
● Ability to prepare and make analyses, reports, and presentations of performance, proposals, and plans for management.
● Valid Indiana Driver’s License.
● Regular attendance.
● Ability to operate standard office equipment and work with Microsoft office products.
● Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
● BA or equivalent and 3 to 5 years neighborhood experience.
● Familiarity and experience working with residents, groups, organizations and institutions in a neighborhood setting.
● Knowledge of assets-based approach to community organizing.
● Demonstrated experience in organizational development, including delivery of training and strong facilitation skills.
● Ability to satisfy pre-employment criminal background checks.
● Familiarity with specific selected neighborhoods.
● Knowledge of language other than English encouraged, but not required.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
● A demonstrated interest in and commitment to the revitalization of urban neighborhoods.
● The interpersonal skills necessary to work constructively with a wide variety of people and organizations; the ability to inspire trust, organize people into a team and motivate them to work intently and efficiently together.
● Must be positive, solution-oriented professional with an entrepreneurial spirit.
● Strong commitment to social justice and grassroots policy change.
● Comfort with group processes and intangibles; a good sense of humor and patience.
● The ability to be a team player and to promote broad consensus about strategies, plans and specific actions among diverse interests.
To apply send resume and cover letter to:
Alleya Dumas
Oasis CDC Corporate Assistant
Subject: Community Builder
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
Application Deadline: June 15, 2015