Program Manager

Written By Jasmine Phillip

January 2025

Hiring Entity: Clean+Healthy

Partner Entities: Arbor Hill Development Corporation, AVillage, Capital Area Urban League, NAACP, Radix Center, Albany Riverfront Collaborative

Location: Albany, NY (position will be hybrid remote and in person as needed)

Position type: Full time, Salaried employee 

Requirements: Connection to the residents of the project area (along I-787)

Position Timeline: 52 weeks starting as soon as possible. Permanent employment is possible depending on securing additional funding.

Compensation: $55,000-$60,000 with flexible virtual-first work schedule, paid holidays, vacation time, unlimited sick/personal time, health insurance.

Location: Albany, NY

Position Type: Full-time, Employee

OVERVIEW

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformational project that will improve the health, mobility, and overall quality of life for Albany residents while addressing long-standing inequities in infrastructure planning.

The Reimagine Albany project is an exciting initiative organized by the entities listed above aimed at empowering historically marginalized communities in Albany to have a leading voice in reshaping the city’s infrastructure, leveraging the once-in-a-generation need to replace the Dunn Memorial Bridge and I-787 infrastructure. Through community-driven design, this project will center the needs and priorities of disadvantaged residents, particularly those living in neighborhoods impacted by systemic racism, to drive changes to Albany's I-787 corridor, the Empire State Plaza, the Port of Albany, and surrounding rail lines over the coming decade. The Program Manager will play a key role in ensuring that local residents are actively involved in the planning process and that their voices are prioritized in the final design recommendations.

Primary purpose of the position is to:

  • Organize events for partner organizations and community residents, including engaging community residents in collaboration with technical experts to design preferred options for the project area.

  • Support logistics for and participate in a long-range planning process for partner organizations, to be led by a separate facilitator. 

  • Provide support to partner organizations to implement near-term activities within that plan.

  • Play a coordinating role for the program as a whole and interconnect the efforts of each partner and the broader community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitation of Collaborative Planning

  • Work with a Plan Facilitator to host a long-range planning process for Reimagine Albany. Participate in the planning process and and support partner organizations in implementing early steps.

  • Support engagement of technical experts needed for the coalition to develop a schematic design and plans, including visions for use of land freed up from the current I-787 footprint.

  • Ensure that concerns such as air pollution, traffic impacts, public housing protections, access to green spaces, and public transit improvements are at the forefront of the planning process.

  • Engage with elected officials and government agencies to align the community's priorities with public policies and secure resources for implementation.

Community Outreach & Engagement

  • Support partner organizations with community outreach commitments by developing materials, scheduling, accountability conversations, and technical research.

  • Support the expanded Innovation Block Coordinator program, working closely with AVillage, Inc., and other grassroots organizations to engage community leaders who will informally connect with residents.

  • Organize design-focused events with community members to discuss infrastructure changes, gather their ideas, and ensure their voices shape the plans.

  • Working with partners and technical assistance providers, support development of culturally appropriate, easy-to-understand materials to explain complex infrastructure concepts and the anticipated changes to the I-787 corridor.

Communication & Education

  • Support brand development and video content development, recruiting participants if needed, and promoting videos created by Collective Effort.

  • Curate accessible and engaging content, including case studies on successful infrastructure removal and community redesign projects, to inform the public and encourage participation.

  • Help draft and disseminate materials summarizing past and current feasibility studies to ensure community members can easily understand the technical aspects of the proposed changes.

Advocacy & Reporting

  • Contribute to the drafting of a proposal outlining community-driven design recommendations and associated cost considerations.

  • Support the advocacy efforts to influence the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process led by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT).

  • Assist in preparing reports and presentations to communicate project outcomes, lessons learned, and the importance of community-led decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Proven experience in community engagement, outreach, and organizing, particularly with racially and economically marginalized populations.

  • Familiarity with Albany's communities is strongly preferred- particularly those affected by redlining and systemic inequality.

  • Experience in community development and coordination with multiple partner organizations in the development of a cohesive multifaceted initiative.

  • Ability to work with multiple organizations to have an ongoing strategic implementation plan that each partner organization can execute their work in an integrated, coordinated way.

  • Passion for social justice and equitable urban development.

  • Ability to distill complex technical information into accessible formats for diverse audiences.

  • Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Community Development, Community Organizing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

  • Strong understanding of infrastructure planning and urban design principles.

  • Strong communication skills including writing, and public speaking.

TERMS

  • One-year position. Possibility of extension based on secured funding.

  • Hybrid work environment with as-needed in-person work in Albany. This position involves a combination of office and fieldwork. The successful candidate will spend time engaging with community members in-person and will also work remotely or at our office as needed for project coordination, content development, and reporting.

  • Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible working hours

  • Salary commensurate with experience, $55,000-$62,500

  • Benefits include flexible virtual-first work schedule, unlimited sick/personal time, vacation time, health insurance.

  • Position is paid twice a month (15th and last day), preferably by direct deposit

  • Reports to Program Director, collaborates with the Albany team and whole C+H staff, as well as the broader Reimagine Albany steering committee.

HOW TO APPLY

Send an email to careers@cleanhealthyny.org with the subject of “Reimagine Albany Manager Application” and following attachments. We seek to fill this position as soon as practicable. The position will remain open until filled.

  • Your resume

  • A short letter of introduction, explaining why you think you are the strongest fit for this position. Please highlight how your experience relates to the project.

  • A brief writing sample

  • Three references

Clean+Healthy is committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We seek and value a diverse staff. We encourage people from all backgrounds and identities to apply. Learn more about us at www.cleanandhealthy.org


Jasmine Phillip
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Development Coordinator