About The Unit: As part of the University of Chicago's efforts to enhance the arts, the Arts and Public Life Initiative actively encourages the development of relationships between the creative and artistic projects taking place at the University of Chicago with those that are taking place throughout the South Side of Chicago, the city and beyond. Arts and Public Life (APL) will strengthen and develop sustainable partnerships with local artists, design professionals, architects, developers, commerce professionals and researchers to focus on the creations of innovative placemaking models in Chicago, and various other US cities, to support small-scale, culture-driven development among traditional players in the enhancement of distressed neighborhoods, among traditional players in the development ecosystem. By advancing artistic ambition through collaborations, master planning, architecture, landscapes, product mix, and interiors, the place can be a catalyst for public art, creativity and placemaking. Arts and Public Life Initiative, through a 3-year grant entitled the Place Project, will seek to implement demonstration projects in selected cities and host learning events, workshops and convenings to complete demonstrations, and publish research and lessons from the projects.
Unit Job Summary: Place Lab Research Specialist: The Place Project is seeking an individual for a one-year engagement (with the potential for one-year extensions). The candidate is responsible for working with the Program Manager of the Place Lab to manage and implement community engagement strategies and oversee local research initiatives. The Place Lab, a new University of Chicago project, will help to expand and test a community development model that supports arts and culture as a strategy for transforming communities and promoting local growth and vibrancy. The Place Project will jumpstart community-led development by bringing together artists, designers, social service organizations, urban planners, and policy experts in cities such as Akron, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan and Gary, Indiana. The successful candidate will work closely with the Program Manager, community members, partner organizations and a target city to further the Place Project initiatives and to implement the Place Project's demonstration projects.
The position requires a high degree of organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to complete independent projects as well as to work in a team environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for creating and maintaining effective public relations with educational, institutional and governmental representatives, social service, business and community agency personnel, students and members of the community. Other responsibilities include assessing the needs of the community and coordinating and collaborating with local organizations to implement activities to advance the Place Project initiatives. The Place Lab Research Specialist reports to the Program Manager.
Unit Job Summary: Place Lab Research Specialist: The Place Project is seeking an individual for a one-year engagement (with the potential for one-year extensions). The candidate is responsible for working with the Program Manager of the Place Lab to manage and implement community engagement strategies and oversee local research initiatives. The Place Lab, a new University of Chicago project, will help to expand and test a community development model that supports arts and culture as a strategy for transforming communities and promoting local growth and vibrancy. The Place Project will jumpstart community-led development by bringing together artists, designers, social service organizations, urban planners, and policy experts in cities such as Akron, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan and Gary, Indiana. The successful candidate will work closely with the Program Manager, community members, partner organizations and a target city to further the Place Project initiatives and to implement the Place Project's demonstration projects.
The position requires a high degree of organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to complete independent projects as well as to work in a team environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for creating and maintaining effective public relations with educational, institutional and governmental representatives, social service, business and community agency personnel, students and members of the community. Other responsibilities include assessing the needs of the community and coordinating and collaborating with local organizations to implement activities to advance the Place Project initiatives. The Place Lab Research Specialist reports to the Program Manager.
The individual will serve as liaisons between partner organizations and other participating universities in Chicago and the target cities by attending meetings, responding to information requests and resolving issues as they may arise. The successful candidate will develop publications through collaborative writing and editing and manage multiple tasks with a demonstrated ability to review and prioritize work.
Unit Education: Candidates must have acquired a Master's degree in social work, psychology or other related field of study.
Unit Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in the applicable field
Unit Job Function Competencies: Must be able to facilitate group meetings to identify and assess the needs of the community.
Must be able to provide active participation in projects designed to reinforce the Place Project initiatives as they relate to the individual needs of the community.
Provide a community leadership role through mentoring individuals serving in the local organizations.
Ability to maintain calm and courteous demeanor and to work productively despite heavy workload, competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines required.
Must have the ability to set-up effective systems and processes and follow them.
Ability to follow an issue through to the requisite resolution.
Considerable skill in working both independently and as a team member required.
Must exhibit demeanor appropriate to the office and to work with other units collaboratively, cooperatively, and productively.
Ability to take initiative and organize and complete projects with minimal supervision required.
Must have excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills required.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software, including MS Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and also with Adobe Acrobat Professional. Must have proficiently with other Adobe software.
Unit Education: Candidates must have acquired a Master's degree in social work, psychology or other related field of study.
Unit Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in the applicable field
Unit Job Function Competencies: Must be able to facilitate group meetings to identify and assess the needs of the community.
Must be able to provide active participation in projects designed to reinforce the Place Project initiatives as they relate to the individual needs of the community.
Provide a community leadership role through mentoring individuals serving in the local organizations.
Ability to maintain calm and courteous demeanor and to work productively despite heavy workload, competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines required.
Must have the ability to set-up effective systems and processes and follow them.
Ability to follow an issue through to the requisite resolution.
Considerable skill in working both independently and as a team member required.
Must exhibit demeanor appropriate to the office and to work with other units collaboratively, cooperatively, and productively.
Ability to take initiative and organize and complete projects with minimal supervision required.
Must have excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills required.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software, including MS Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and also with Adobe Acrobat Professional. Must have proficiently with other Adobe software.