Job Postings

SUMMARY:  Watts Rising is a collaborative of Watts residents, 40+ organizations, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, the Mayor’s Office, and Council District 15 committed to improving the quality of life in Watts. Under general direction of the Senior Project Manager, this position will be responsible for managing, planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating funded and leveraged capital and community investment projects as well as specialized programs in the implementation of large-scale, collective impact efforts with a focus on the Watts Rising Collaborative’s growth. This includes the management of the $32.5M Transformative Climate Communities grant and the $35M Choice Neighborhoods grant:

The Strategic Initiatives Project Manager is a single incumbent, grant funded position responsible for fulfilling the requirements of these grants and developing the strategies and platforms necessary to sustain Watts Rising in the future.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Project Manager is responsible for strengthening and growing a collective impact, collaborative model which requires establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals, internal departments, outside organizations, consultants and related public agencies. In order to meet grant requirements, the incumbent must be highly-skilled in project management and will be required to shepherd a variety of infrastructure and capital projects through concept to completion within budget and meeting all schedule milestones. The incumbent also will manage specific collaborative projects through data collection, billing and reporting to the grantor on a regular basis; evaluate outcomes; anticipate issues in advance and strategize solutions. In addition, the incumbent will oversee related procurement and consultant activities including preparation and issuance of Request for Proposals (RFP)/scope of work, consultant contract negotiation, budgeting, metric-setting and contract oversight for related third-party services. Assist, as needed, in securing, maintaining and analyzing all program-related demographics and documentation; maintain schedules for operational activities and coordinate work of all assigned staff and consultants. Considering the nature of the various projects, the Project Manager will oversee a spectrum of projects focused on sustainability, public and environmental health, mobility and transportation, construction and affordable housing.In order to improve communication among partners, consistency in approach and strong community input, the Project Manager may be asked to prepare and/or oversee the preparation of training, policies, procedural manuals, technology-based organizational tools, educational materials and public information for Watts Rising. Design and implement all policies and programs in a collaborative fashion with both internal and external stakeholders using best practices in collective organizing and decision-making.

In order to further collective impact efforts, the incumbent is expected to interpret and implement on grant-funded requirements and develop opportunity to provide formal comment on state and local legislation, administrative orders, regulations, policies and procedures to benefit the goals and objectives of Watts Rising.

Other duties may include but are not limited to administrative actions related to project and program organizing and can also include preparation of agendas, minutes and presentations, facilitation of meetings and retreats with the community, individual residents, and stakeholder groups to provide information, resolve issues, moderate feedback and plan/coordinate activities. The position will also weigh-in on strategic planning efforts, program design and implementation, and ensure the proper execution of the various projects are in consistent with community priorities, compliance, and other contractual obligations. Performs related duties as required.

The incumbent will be engaged in a wide range of activities that will require strong project management, organizational and community-engagement experience, a focus on maintaining schedules and achieving program goals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Requires knowledge of principles and practices of public and business administration, including: organization, grants & project management; statistical and research methods; climate change, non-displacement, community development and environmental justice, public health policies and objectives; oral and written communication skills; applicable sections of federal, state and local rules, regulations, and laws; and technical aspects of assigned functions and program areas. Demonstrate initiative, commitment to and experience in working with low income and communities of color; demonstrate passion to detailed and complex project management.Ability to coordinate and perform a variety of complex administrative and management duties; develop working technical knowledge of a variety of unrelated areas quickly and accurately; work independently with little direction; establish and maintain effective working relations with others; meet schedules and timelines; plan, develop and administer programs; research data and prepare reports; work confidentially with discretion; present ideas and concepts persuasively in speaking before groups or writing for publication; interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; analyze situations accurately and adopt effective course of action.

The incumbent works with the community and will require coordination and attendance at occasional night and weekend meetings and events.          

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Sociology, Finance, Economics or closely related field. Preferred master’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Sociology, Finance, Economics or closely related field

WORK EXPERIENCE: The successful candidate will have at least five (5) years demonstrated experience in complex project management and navigating political environments working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders at local, regional and national level AND three (3) years’ supervisory experience in managing complex grant-funded programs and professional level staff.

SKILLS: The ideal candidate will have strong oral, written, organizational and interpersonal skills, with experience in community engagement and marketing / communications. The preferred candidate will have project management experience using social media, marketing, and project management platforms.

Preference will be given to candidates who have a strong working knowledge of environmental justice, sustainability and resiliency approaches, affordable housing, and/or community development policies and programs, especially at the local level. Ability to converse in Spanish a plus.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must possess a valid California class ‘C’ driver’s license.

Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education, and training.  Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content.  Only the MOST QUALIFIED APPLICANTS will be invited to the interview process. Applicants must pass each phase of the interview process with a rating of 80% or higher to continue in the selection process. 

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training.  The application must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation prior to examination.

HIRING INFORMATION:
All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.

Candidates will start at STEP 1 of an eight step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with the Personnel Rules.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION:
If you require special testing accommodations due to a physical, mental or learning disability, please call (213) 252-5400 for special assistance.  Special testing accommodations may be arranged if verification of the disability is provided by a physician, rehabilitation counselor, or other authority.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation in any portion of the selection process should state their need in writing when submitting an application.

NOTE: The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

As an At-Will, non-represented employee, the incumbent must participate in mandatory direct deposit of payroll as a condition of new and continued employment.

Pursuant to the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles’ Conflict of Interest Policy, new and existing employees are required to refrain from participating in activities, employment or enterprises, which are in conflict with public interest and/or with his or her duties as an employee of the Authority.  A copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy may be obtained by visiting our website at:

http://www.hacla.org/Portals/0/Attachments/Others/ConflictofInterestPolicy.pdf

Interested parties can apply at http://www.hacla.org/careers.