What: The Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC) is seeking a Small Business Organizer. This will be a contractual temporary employment opportunity.
Garfield Park is experiencing a crucial moment for both community and economic development. Recent investments and initiatives will present new opportunities for small business development, job creation, and economic growth in the neighborhood. The key challenge now is to ensure that the benefits created by investments are not just available to residents, but that residents are engaged in the work in meaningful ways that create pathways to local ownership.
The Small Business Organizer reports directly to the Executive Director. The Organizer will strive to:
- Develop a comprehensive directory of every business in the Garfield Park neighborhood.
- The Organizer will track:
- Number of businesses contacted (home-based, storefronts and entrepreneurs)
- Number of meetings with businesses
- Location, size, and services of businesses
- Identify and engage commercial property owners
- Develop and complete a needs assessment and action plan, specific to Garfield Park.
- The Organizer will track:
- Completed surveys of businesses
- Number of responding businesses
- Assessment of needs and strategies for future programs and support
- Support the delivery of new resources to local businesses.
- The Organizer will track:
- Capital: Number of loans and total dollars disbursed to Garfield Park businesses
- Connections: Number of events held for small businesses
- Coaching: Number of Garfield Park businesses provided with intensive and one- on-one coaching
- Community outreach: Number of community events attended by business owners
Qualifications:
- Candidate should have Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in related field.
- Experience in urban, community development required and demonstrated ability in commercial development or retail preferred; excellent interpersonal skills; and strong oral and written communication skills.
- The candidate has excellent time management skills and computer literacy is a must.
- The candidate is passionate about the position’s responsibilities and the community.
- This person is flexible and a willing to engage neighborhood businesses and work along the local commercial corridors.
- Ideal candidate takes initiative and has strong leadership skills.
This is a 40 hour per week contract temporary position. The terms of employment are project-based and the position expected to conclude by May 2020. The position will not involve fundraising, lobbying, advocacy or real estate sales.
To apply send resume, cover letter and a recent professional writing sample to admin@gpcommunitycouncil.org. Related references will be required. No phone calls please.