Chinatown Vision Plan Coordinator
The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) is a coalition of major service organizations in the Chinatown community. The Coalition coordinates and leverages the vast organizational capacities of each organization to more effectively address shared challenges, opportunities, and community priorities that are vital to the future of Chinatown.
CBCAC initiated development of the Chinatown Community Vision Plan, the first comprehensive plan for the historic neighborhood, and developed the plan in close consultation with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and 25th Ward Alderman Daniel Solis. The plan utilized extensive input from Chinatown’s residents, business owners, workers, and community leaders. The plan was approved by the community on May 28 and identifies eight priority recommendation areas: safety, transportation and circulation, residential community, economic development, education and workforce, parks and public spaces, future development, and long-term capacity building.
Position Summary:
This is a full time position which has primary responsibility for coordinating the implementation phase of the Chinatown Community Vision Plan, working with the plan’s Steering Committee. The project coordinator will be responsible for thoroughly understanding the plan’s objectives and engaging all stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of the plan remains focused and on schedule.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Recruit and develop the skills of resident leaders and other community leaders to engage in working groups overseeing four key areas of the project:
Transportation and Circulation
With assistance from Chicago area partners, form and coordinate a working group of community members to provide community input to the City of Chicago on transportation issues and act as liaison with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Residential Communities
The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) is a coalition of major service organizations in the Chinatown community. The Coalition coordinates and leverages the vast organizational capacities of each organization to more effectively address shared challenges, opportunities, and community priorities that are vital to the future of Chinatown.
CBCAC initiated development of the Chinatown Community Vision Plan, the first comprehensive plan for the historic neighborhood, and developed the plan in close consultation with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and 25th Ward Alderman Daniel Solis. The plan utilized extensive input from Chinatown’s residents, business owners, workers, and community leaders. The plan was approved by the community on May 28 and identifies eight priority recommendation areas: safety, transportation and circulation, residential community, economic development, education and workforce, parks and public spaces, future development, and long-term capacity building.
Position Summary:
This is a full time position which has primary responsibility for coordinating the implementation phase of the Chinatown Community Vision Plan, working with the plan’s Steering Committee. The project coordinator will be responsible for thoroughly understanding the plan’s objectives and engaging all stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of the plan remains focused and on schedule.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Recruit and develop the skills of resident leaders and other community leaders to engage in working groups overseeing four key areas of the project:
Transportation and Circulation
With assistance from Chicago area partners, form and coordinate a working group of community members to provide community input to the City of Chicago on transportation issues and act as liaison with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Residential Communities
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Working with Chinatown service organizations, form and coordinate a working group to act as
liaison with the Chicago Department of Family and Social Services (DFSS) to pursue planning efforts
aimed at making Chinatown a model “age-friendly” neighborhood that fully supports the needs of
its many senior residents (such as ensuring adequate accessibility around Chinatown for persons
with limited mobility).
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Work with the plan Steering Committee to explore the feasibility of creating a Chinatown landlord
association.
Parks and Public Spaces
With assistance from Chicago area partners, form and coordinate a working group of community members to oversee and shepherd the application of “placemaking” strategies intended to activate existing and new public spaces throughout Chinatown.
Future Development
Form and coordinate a working group of community members that will work with the community’s aldermen and City liaisons to:
o Comprehensively explore opportunities for potential development in Chinatown’s core. o Work with organizations and aldermen from adjacent neighborhoods (such as the South
Loop) to provide community input into planning decisions related to anticipated development in areas to the north and east of Chinatown’s core.
Minimum Qualifications:
With assistance from Chicago area partners, form and coordinate a working group of community members to oversee and shepherd the application of “placemaking” strategies intended to activate existing and new public spaces throughout Chinatown.
Future Development
Form and coordinate a working group of community members that will work with the community’s aldermen and City liaisons to:
o Comprehensively explore opportunities for potential development in Chinatown’s core. o Work with organizations and aldermen from adjacent neighborhoods (such as the South
Loop) to provide community input into planning decisions related to anticipated development in areas to the north and east of Chinatown’s core.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies including working class Chinese immigrants.
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Strong analytical, organizational, and management skills.
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Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public policy, economic development, social sciences, or
related field and three (3) years of experience.
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Master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, economic development, social sciences, or related
field and one (1) year of experience.
Desirable Qualifications:
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Knowledge of Chinatown community and issues relevant to the community.
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Fluency in Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin).
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Ability to effectively handle multiple projects and demands within deadlines.
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Strong facilitation skills, community outreach experience, and experience working with multicultural
communities.
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Effective negotiation and mediation skills.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Knowledge of planning processes, urban planning and design concepts and principles, community
issues, and public policy implications.
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Knowledge of local government processes, ordinances, legislation, public policy, and planning.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest in the position to:
C.W. Chan
Chairman
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) cwchanpls@yahoo.com