Tag Archives: pratt center

Home, Urban Studies

EVENT: Sanctuary Cities: Growing Powerful Communities (3/3)

Last month, San Francisco became the first US city to sue the Trump administration over its executive order cutting off federal funding to sanctuary cities. Indeed, sanctuary cities have become a beacon of hope for progressive communities hoping to build up their resistance to the Trump administration’s regressive and havoc-wreaking immigration policies.

But what, exactly, are sanctuary cities. And, as a sanctuary city, how can NYC effectively defend itself against the threats of the new reality?

Join the Pratt Center for Planning and the Environment and NYC Environmental Justice Alliance this Friday, March 3rd, 2017 from 6-8pm for “Sanctuary Cities For All: Growing Powerful Communities in Uncertain Times,” the second part in a 4-session series about the populism and the Trump administration’s first 100 days:

New York City has historically played the role of Sanctuary City, to the nation, and to the world.

As a premiere global city, it boasts one of the world’s most diverse populations. For many, the example of successful and prosperous coexistence of diversity embodied in NYC’s cultural, social, and economic fabric serves as a critical global symbol of the power of pluralism as a local and global ideal in action.

This strength, however, comes as the result of great historical and contemporary struggle. From the legacies of civil rights triumphs, the global village, and progressive visions of pluralism, NYC’s balance for equality and equity requires constant vigilance, collaboration, and action to defend empowerment.

This panel will bring together leaders from NYC’s diverse community to discuss what it means to be a Sanctuary City in action – not only word.  We will explore what it takes to grow powerful communities and social cohesion and urban systems that support this important work – in the face of uncertain and targeted circumstances. 

Speakers include:

  • Mark Winston Griffith, Executive Director, Brooklyn Movement Center,
  • Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs,
  • Roberto “Mukaro” Borrero, Taíno Nation, and
  • Peter L. Markowitz, Professor of Law, Director, Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic, Cardozo School of Law
Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Pratt Center for Community Development Seeks Planner (Brooklyn, New York )

About Pratt Center

Founded in 1963, The Pratt Center for Community Development works for a more just, equitable, and sustainable city for all New Yorkers by empowering communities to plan for and realize their futures. As part of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn New York, we leverage professional skills in planning, architecture and public policy to work on the ground with community-based organizations and to advocate for policy changes citywide. Our approach combines technical assistance, stakeholder organizing, and policy advocacy to support community-based organizations in their efforts to improve neighborhood quality of life, attack the causes of poverty and inequality, and advance sustainable development. Pratt Center uniquely integrates the perspectives of equity and community empowerment into the practice of the full range of urban planning disciplines – land use planning, housing and economic development, industrial retention, environmental regeneration, transportation, historic preservation, architecture, arts and culture, and more.

Employment Opportunity

Pratt Center currently seeks to add to its professional staff with a new Planner position. Working under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Policy, the Planner will be responsible for the design, implementation, and management of community-based planning Technical Assistance projects as well as other types of collaborations with local partners. The Planner will assist in the development of Pratt Center’s policy agenda and contribute to advocacy initiatives that address sustainable community development goals.

Position Responsibilities:

The Planner will have a variety of responsibilities, including:
– Managing community-based planning, policy and/or commercial revitalization projects, including the development of implementation schedules and report writing.
– Representing Pratt Center in meetings with community-based organizations, colleagues and clients; at general community and coalition meetings; and with other stakeholders, including elected officials and government agencies.
– Researching and assisting in the development of Pratt Center’s policy and advocacy initiatives.
– Collecting and analyzing original and secondary data for the development of reports and other products.
– Developing field and community assessment survey instruments and implementing their use in field.
– Collaborating with Pratt Center staff on community development, economic development, and sustainability projects.
– Supervising interns and staff as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:
Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Policy or related field; or equivalent work experience is required.

Experience:
At least three years of experience in urban planning-related projects, research and/or policy development, and/or experience working in community-based organizations in low-income communities/communities of color. Experience with community and/or political organizing, high level of comfort in group settings with diverse stakeholders, and some project management experience required.

Skills:
– Must have strong communication skills (written and verbal), and demonstrated community planning skills.
– Must be adept with Microsoft office products, and data manipulation and analysis; spatial visualization skills are a plus.
– Knowledge of community-based planning issues, including zoning and land use policy, is required.
– Knowledge of principles of diversity and inclusion, ability to work well with diverse populations, and demonstrated level of cultural competence is required.
– Familiarity with transportation, environmental justice, real estate development and affordable housing issues – as well as the New York City advocacy community working in these issue areas – is a plus.

Application Procedure:

Applicants should follow the link below to upload a cover letter, resume and three references:
https://prattedu.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=591&company_id=16145&version=1&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=992358&startflag=1

Questions may be directed to info@prattcenter.net. No phone calls or visits, please.

Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until filled.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Pratt Center for Community Development Seeks Program Director for Made in NYC

Made In NYC (MINYC), an initiative of the Pratt Center for Community Development, was created to support a vibrant manufacturing sector in New York City. Local manufacturing creates employment opportunities for New York’s extraordinarily diverse workforce and gives the city much of its character and soul. Launched in 2001, MINYC assists manufacturing businesses in growing their companies, encourages New Yorkers to buy locally made products, and provides sourcing assistance for designers and manufacturers to purchase goods and fabricate designs locally. Close to 1,300 companies are listed on the MINYC website. MINYC’s recent achievements include:

• A new website launched in 2013 that features detailed profiles of member businesses as well as
information of interest to manufacturers and their advocates (see madeinnyc.org);
• Brand and logo redesign in 2013 that is widely used by members on products and websites;
• Growing membership currently comprising over 1300 manufacturers that represent all major industrial
and manufacturing sectors in NYC;
• Successful events with high-profile partners to raise awareness and support for local manufacturing, including website launch event with fashion designer Nanette Lepore and Factory Friday tours with Open House NY;
• Sourcing requests and successful matches that have driven sales to manufacturers;
• The development of an advisory board of manufacturers that have invested resources and time in program development;
• News blasts and other outreach featuring data and information about manufacturing businesses and trends.

With the generous support of the New York City Council, Pratt Center intends to dramatically increase awareness of manufacturing in NYC over the next several years. This will be accomplished through development of the MINYC brand, website, and related programmatic initiatives and educational activities, and by assisting companies in improving their marketing and capacity for growth.

Employment Opportunity
The Program Director (PD) now sought by Pratt Center will be responsible for the development and implementation of projects, events and activities that push MINYC towards these goals. Working collaboratively with a core group of Pratt Center senior staff (Director, Deputy Director, Development Director and Senior
Planner) as well as resources which might be available through Pratt Institute, the PD will pursue several directives pre-set by Pratt’s leadership team:

• Develop and implement MINYC’s Branding and Marketing approach in order to greatly expand public awareness of the brand, grow the number of members, and dramatically increase website visits among consumers and businesses;
• Expand the sourcing assistance, marketing and other services offered to MINYC members to enhance NYC manufacturing businesses and help them promote themselves, increase sales, and grow;
• Establish a framework for evaluating outcomes of these initiatives, including specific equity-related impacts;
• Develop a business plan for the growth of MINYC over the next 3 years, including exploration of a fee structure to generate revenue for the program.

The PD will be responsible for the planning and delivery of all MINYC activities, including marketing and communications activities, service provision, website maintenance and updates, growing the membership, and overseeing consultants who will develop marketing and business plans. The PD will coordinate MINYC’s efforts with other areas of Pratt Center’s programs, communications, fundraising, and program development.
This is a full time staff position, and while city funded initiatives are always contingent on approval of a Council appropriation each year, we expect successful completion of the scope of services will lead to renewal. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strategic development of marketing and business plans for MINYC, including oversight of consultants, and implementation of a work plan to achieve goals;
• Plan and oversee the implementation of MINYC’s public relations and communications efforts;
• Oversee service delivery to MINYC members such as sourcing assistance, marketing design extension services (potentially with Pratt Institute faculty and students), and other services to be determined;
• Plan, develop and initiate marketing and promotional activities such as factory tours and other events;
• Collaborate with the Development Director and other staff in fundraising efforts for MINYC’s activities;
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the MINYC website, including news postings, updating member profiles, improving visuals, etc.
• Collaborate with Pratt Center staff on data analysis of MINYC members, research and analysis of manufacturing sectors and trends, and other efforts that support Pratt Center’s economic
development policy agenda;
• Work strategically with a diverse range of partners, especially business owners and workers, philanthropic foundations, elected officials, public agencies, trade associations, interested civic
organizations, and particularly with Local Development Corporations that manage Industrial Business Zones;
• Supervise a full time MINYC Program Associate (to be hired), Graduate Fellows and Interns;
• Work with faculty and staff of Pratt Institute in departments that have relevant courses such as graphic communications, packaging, video production, etc.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience:
We seek a highly organized, media savvy, entrepreneurial self-starter with excellent people skills and an academic or professional background that is related to communications, marketing, public relations, and/or urban planning, economic development or urban manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have:

• Four + years of experience and demonstrated expertise in more than one of the disciplines relevant to MINYC’s goals and objectives: business strategy; entrepreneurship; marketing and communications; organizational development; public relations and media management; small business development; urban planning; and workforce/economic development, in positions of progressively increasing responsibility;
• Strong marketing and media relations interest, experience and skills;
• Community, political, and/or media organizing experience;
• The ability to work strategically, in both leadership and supportive roles, with a diverse range of partners;
• Excellent writing and public presentation skills;
• Experience with design and management of websites / digital platforms;
• Facility with relevant computer and social media applications;
• Event planning, fundraising, and personnel management experience;
• An outstanding work ethic, a collaborative spirit, and a good sense of humor.

Education Requirements:
Master’s degree in business administration, communications, marketing, public policy, urban planning, or another related field; or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus five years of professional experience.

To Apply:
Applicants are to email a cover letter, resume, and sample of original work (writing or graphic design sample; media campaign sample; or other relevant original work) to info@prattcenter.net. Please put “MINYC Program Director” in the Subject of your email. (Note that applicants may be asked later to visit the Pratt Institute website to fill out a brief application.)

Applicants are to include an answer to the following question in their cover letter:
What social marketing or cause marketing campaign have you found to be particularly compelling and effective, and why? How might MINYC fit into or not fit into the cause marketing framework? Please note that incomplete submissions (i.e., without a cover letter, resume, work sample, or answer to the above question) will not be considered.

This position will remain open until filled.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE