Community Engagement Manager

Posting Details

Position Information

Fiscal Year
2021-2022
Position Title
Community Engagement Manager
Classification Title
Senior Research Support Specialist
Department
The Regional Institute
Posting Number
R2100175
Posting LinkEmployer
Research Foundation
Position Type
RF Professional
Type
Full-Time
Appointment Term

Salary Grade
E.7
https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/30979


Posting Detail Information

Position Summary

The University at Buffalo Regional Institute ( UBRI ), a research and policy center at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, seeks a Community Engagement Manager to provide support for outreach, communications, project management, and reporting for the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund East Side Avenues initiative.

The East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund is a partnership between New York State and local foundations to invest over five years in strategic capital improvements and capacity building for community-based organizations designed to generate catalytic economic change on Buffalo’s East Side. Through in-depth research and an inclusionary stakeholder engagement process, East Side Avenues is a portfolio of five initiatives to support locally-owned businesses with a focus on projects that provide economic benefits to people working and living in the community.

1. East Side Commercial Districts: Expand the Buffalo Main Streets Initiative to fund building renovations and public space enhancements in four East Side investment areas.

2. Community-Based Real Estate Development Training: Harness the East Side’s human capital and ensure that revitalization is driven by the community through real estate development education.

3. Community Building Stabilizations Fund: Establish a dedicated funding source to support acquisition and stabilization of at-risk historic buildings in the target investment areas.

4. Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor: Create a cooperative operating/business model and plan for capital improvements for a unified tourist destination around Michigan Street’s unique assets.

5. Central Terminal: Create a robust organization to guide capital improvements with the goals to reactivate the complex and better connect it to the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood.

The Community Engagement Manager is responsible for the overall community outreach and programmatic engagement for the five initiatives that make up the East Side Avenues in effort to increase the visibility of its programs, as well as increase the number of active participants and supporters. Primary responsibilities include:

• Establish and continue to build partnerships and meaningful relationships with related organizations, program recipients, donors, and volunteers.
• Facilitate public engagement activities, including focus groups and community meetings to inform people of our programs and supports.
• Provide ongoing input, information, and materials (as requested) that support internal and external communication efforts about programming and opportunities.
• Serve as an advocate in the community to ensure that the needs of the residents, business owners and stakeholders are a priority in the systems designed to support them and the broader community.
• Conduct outreach, recruitment and screening for applicants, students, mentors, coaches, trainers, community partners, and other volunteers across each initiative.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to students, mentors, instructors, and community partners engaged in programming and opportunities.
• Provide project management on various program initiatives and support local community-based organizations with capacity building and assistance.
• Participate in the continuous quality improvement and data-driven decision-making processes to assess the efficacy of programming and to drive programmatic refinements.
• Evaluate impact and effectiveness of programs and recommend changes as necessary

Outstanding Benefits Package
Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. Visit our benefits website to learn about our benefit packages.

About UB
The University at Buffalo is SUNY’s most comprehensive public research university, and an outstanding place to work. UB amplifies ambition for faculty and staff by offering endless possibilities to achieve more. Here, people from all backgrounds and cultures challenge and inspire each other to discover, learn and succeed. Dedicated staff and engaged faculty collaborate to further knowledge and understanding, and develop tenacious graduates who are valued for their talents and their impact on global society. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

About UBRI
In partnership with faculty and students from the UB School of Architecture and Planning, UBRI has been working in the Buffalo Niagara region for over 30 years, pursuing public scholarship with community constituencies at the intersection of public policy, urban planning, urban design, architecture, and real estate development. We understand that together these ways of working are an essential part of the solution to build stronger regional economies with better places for all people. UBRI guides decision making, design, and strategic planning with implementation assistance for our local, regional, state, and national partners. We take an objective approach to understanding complex issues, and we translate this understanding into useful and relevant information for the communities we serve. We are grounded in the disciplines of research and analysis. We contribute to evidence-based planning and design and work with our partners to implement, evaluate, and collectively solve problems to ensure stronger economic futures for all. Visit our website to learn more about UBRI .

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, the Research Foundation will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and veteran or disability status.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public policy, business, non-profit management or related field
• 5 years of direct experience working in community development, and/or community organizing
• Commitment to community development and empowering underserved communities
• Excellent writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills; strong attention to detail, including the ability to present both technical and programmatic information to diverse audiences
• Experience interacting with people of diverse or underrepresented racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with MS Office
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a highly integrated and diverse team
• Ability and willingness to travel to locations around the City of Buffalo and surrounding region during the day, in the evening, and on weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, business, non-profit management or related field
• Experience working in community development, and/or community organizing
• Experience in group facilitation, consensus building, public engagement, and community organizing
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities at once
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
• Familiarity with virtual meeting and collaboration tools (Zoom, Miro)
• Familiarity with online survey platforms (Google Forms, SurveyMonkey)

Physical Demands

Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Work Hours

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
occasional evenings and weekends
Campus
Downtown Campus
Posting Alerts

Special Instructions Summary

Is a background check required for this posting?

Background Check Notification



Contact Information

Contact's Name
Heather Warner
Contact's Title
Office Manager
Contact's Email
hpwarner@buffalo.edu
Contact's Phone
716-878-2438


Posting Dates

Posted
10/08/2021
Deadline for applicants
Open Until Filled
Date to be filled



References

Number of references required
3
Reference Cutoff Date

Instructions to Applicant

For more information, click the "How to Apply" button.