The Democracy Collaborative (http://democracycollaborative.org/ and http://community-wealth.org/), a national research institute dedicated to the development of innovative strategies for the democratization of wealth, seeks a skilled development assistant to support our community development programs.
Application Deadline: February 12th, 2016.
Salary: $38,000 to $45,000, depending on work experience and academic qualifications. Job includes a generous benefits package including health care, three weeks of paid vacation per year, and an employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan.
Location: Currently Adams Morgan area of Washington, D.C. As of June 2016, the position will be based in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C.
Start date: March 1, 2016. Earlier or later start date will be considered.
Basic Function
The Democracy Collaborative is a nonprofit think-and-do tank that focuses on researching and promoting innovative ways of building wealth in low-income communities and developing models for transformative systemic change. Assistants work as members of project teams, providing research and logistical support to projects focused on community wealth building. Under direction of project leaders, assistants contribute to data collection and management, prepare reports/presentations/materials that summarize findings, and draft content for our publications program or client engagements, and can include policy memos, briefs, reports, summaries, blogs and other publications. In addition, they assist project teams with coordination of logistics, communications, or event planning for conferences, webinars, and meetings of various sizes.
The Community Development Assistant will support the work of the Democracy Collaborative’s Manager of Community Development Programs in guiding the community development field to adopt a community wealth building framework which promotes diverse models to democratize wealth and ownership. Currently, the main project of the Democracy Collaborative’s Community Development Programs, that the Assistant will support, is the Learning/Action Lab for Community Wealth Building, a multi-year collaboration working with Native American communities to develop effective strategies that build and retain wealth (http://lab.community-wealth.org/). He/she will assist with meeting scheduling and preparation, logistics and planning, material generation, research, writing, communication and contact management, and will provide general administrative support to the Manager as needed in support of any/all community development programs.
Applicants must have a high attention to detail, be adept in logistic management and meeting planning, and be comfortable and confident working in a support role. Additionally, ideal candidates must have strong writing abilities and be comfortable conducting research and interviews and synthesizing ideas. Must be pleasant and personable on a daily basis and comfortable working with a variety of personality types, flexible schedules, multiple different office environments, and diverse audiences/clients/communities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The Community Development Assistant will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Assists with all logistics for Learning/Action Lab meetings, including event space coordination, catering and supply ordering and management, hotel and bus negotiations, travel planning, etc.;
- Prepares materials and assemble binders for meetings including generating bios of meeting participants, preparing agendas, and researching and creating needed background materials;
- Assists with communications among and between key partners and organizations;
- Makes travel arrangements, including booking flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.;
- Prepares expense reports, including managing receipts, bills, and credit card payments;
- Assists with scheduling and follow-up for meetings, retreats, and other activities;
- Takes notes and minutes for all meetings;
- Supports Manager on project needs and research which may include background research, conducting interviews, writing and editorial projects including blogs, articles, newsletters, and other publications and communications; and
- Provides general administrative support as needed.
- Will have the opportunity to participate in cross-office workgroups and optional seminars on topics relevant to the Democracy Collaborative’s work.
Education/Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant work experience is required (e.g., community development, event planning, logistical coordination, research/writing support, and/or administrative work). Evidence of previous work demonstrating reliability, a very high degree of accuracy, and attention to detail is critical.
Other Requirements
Must be proficient in working in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as comfort with online platforms. Must be highly organized with an attention to detail, especially with regards to dates, times, and schedules. Must have experience with event and logistic coordination. Must be interested in, familiar with, and enthusiastic for transformative community economic development and the work of the Democracy Collaborative.
To Apply
To apply, send detailed cover letter regarding your interest in The Democracy Collaborative, your experience with community development, and your skills to meet the job criteria; a CV/résumé with references; and relevant writing sample/work product to jobs@democracycollaborative.org including “Community Development Assistant” in the subject line. Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every applicant. No phone calls please. We will contact all candidates who qualify for first-round interviews.
The Democracy Collaborative is an Equal Opportunity Employer—people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBT candidates are strongly encouraged to apply; we are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.
