Participatory Budgeting Project Coordinator

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) works to bring government closer to community members across Seattle by engaging them in civic participation, helping them become empowered to make positive contributions to their communities, and by involving more of Seattle's under-represented residents, including communities of color and immigrants, in civic discourse, processes and opportunities. The department motto is "Strengthening Seattle by actively engaging all communities."

This Planning and Development Specialist II-BU position will serve as the Project Coordinator for the participatory budgeting pilot initiative. The pilot will run from October 2015 through June 2016, culminating in the public selection of community-generated and prioritized projects that will be implemented by the City. This position will be instrumental in ensuring the pilot stays on track and on time - coordinating and planning multiple public meetings, working closely with community groups and City departments, facilitating the overall process and providing other strategic and communications support for the pilot. The Project Coordinator will work closely with the Project Manager and Community Investments Strategic Advisor to implement the pilot.

• Lead the planning and logistics coordination for large scale public meetings, meetings of community volunteers to develop project proposals, and meetings for public voting on projects.
• Create and maintain content for the pilot's website and other social media platforms.
• Design surveys and other data collection methodologies to document and evaluate the pilot.
• Interface with local government, non-profit institutions, and schools to promote the project.
• Track project budget and deliverables to ensure the pilot meets major milestones and deadlines.
• Assist community volunteers with developing spending proposals and vetting proposals with City officials and agency representatives.
• Working with the Project Manager, facilitate meetings and group discussions with youth in schools and community settings.
• Working with the Project Manager, develop communications and information on the pilot for the public and other targeted audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated organizational and project coordination skills, including the ability to prioritize large volumes of work.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a group of peers as well as independently.
• Experience working with various stakeholders with competing interests on challenging and dynamic projects.
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Two years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation; or other work directly related to city planning and development; and a baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications:

• At least two years of performing related work with progressively increasing responsibilities.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with a number of social media platforms.
• Experience working with community organizations and local government, preferably in Seattle.

 

• Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

Want to learn more about the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods? Check out our website at www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods.