River Towns Program Community Design and Technical Assistance Position Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (sgp)

River Towns Program
Community Design and Technical Assistance Position
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP)

The primary goal of the Susquehanna Greenway River Town Technical Assistance Program is to build the capacity of local partners to envision, plan, construct and sustain riverfront parks, walking and biking trails, river accesses, green infrastructure, and greenway signs, as well as to protect and enhance natural and cultural assets, in order to stimulate sustainable community development. SGP assists Susquehanna Greenway River Towns with environmentally sensitive revitalization strategies to connect “Main Street” with the river, and attract public and private investment into core communities, resulting in new jobs. Technical assistance will focus on community organizing and assessments, visioning, community greenway planning, project conceptualization, fundraising for local projects, and promoting river towns as attractive places to live, work and play.

POSITION TITLE: River Towns Planner
POSITION SUMMARY: The River Towns Planner (RTP) works with SGP staff and partners to develop and implement programs that build the capacity of local partners to envision, plan, construct and sustain riverfront parks, walking and biking trails, river accesses, green infrastructure, and greenway signs. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or Community Design is required. Relevant experience in community engagement strategies, community assessments, conceptual renderings, landscape design, historic preservation, graphic design, and project management is needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned from time to time.

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  Work with community residents and leaders, municipal officials, county planners, regional partners and funders to identify and prioritize projects that will help to build and sustain the Susquehanna Greenway.
  
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  Create landscape design conceptual renderings and project profiles for parks, trails, river access, streetscapes and rain gardens.
  
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  Graphic design of displays, posters, greenway signs, educational literature, plans and manuals.
  
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  Responsible for updating the Susquehanna Greenway Sign Design Guidelines and sign inventory, and overseeing sign fabrication.
  
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  Plan and conduct educational workshops and public input meetings.
  
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  Work with other staffers on development and implementation of Annual Plan of Work for the Susquehanna Greenway River Towns programs, including timelines, budgets, and funding strategies.
  
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  Assist the Executive Director with developing and implementing a five-year Strategic Action Plan for the River Towns Programs, that engages local partners, state and federal agencies, design/engineering firms and other partners in advancing walking and biking trails, water trails, riverfront parks, and green infrastructure projects.
  
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  Help identify prospective donors and grants, and working with local partners on strategies to secure funding for park, trail, river access, green infrastructure, cultural/heritage projects.
  
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  Assist with writing funding proposals and progress reports to funders.
  
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  Work with local partners to ensure projects stay on schedule and budget, and advance or inspire larger projects.
  
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  Responsible for helping the Executive Director with engaging universities, tourism promotion agencies, business development organizations and civic organizations in our work.
  
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  Responsible for writing articles/providing content for SGP’s monthly e-newsletter, a printed newsletters and an annual report.
  
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  Responsible for overseeing the work of the River Town Program Assistant to maintain and update the SGP website and database with any information related to River Towns programs and projects.
  
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  Provide staff support to River Towns Program Committee. Oversee the River Town Program Assistant in scheduling meetings and conference calls, preparing and distributing agendas and minutes.
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist the Executive Director and staff with planning, assigning, and directing work of the River Town Program Assistant, interns, volunteers and other administrative help.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or Community Design is required, a master’s degree is preferred. A minimum of two years relevant experience and knowledge in community engagement strategies, community assessments, conceptual renderings, landscape design, historic preservation, graphic design, and project management is preferred. Experience in grant or budget administration, website content management and supervisory skills preferred. Willingness and ability to fundraise is required.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Knowledge of the principles and techniques of landscape architecture and project management are required. Strong landscape design skills and computer competency in MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite – InDesign, Illustrator, PhotoShop and Acrobat, GIS and mapping. Ability to plan, direct and coordinate activities, and communicate effectively in both written and oral forms; and exercise critical thinking needed to solve complex problems.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communications skills, including public speaking skills. Ability to read and edit word documents, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; efficiently respond to questions from the Board, staff, and public; and effectively communicate to a variety of public-private audiences and the media.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, interpret technical information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; exhibit independent judgment in the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, procedures and policies.
OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Must be willing to work frequently in the evenings, and occasionally on the weekends, sometimes with short notice. High-energy, positive, “can‐do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative and professionalism required. Must be enthusiastic about fundraising and capable of writing compelling funding proposals. Must have a demonstrated ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines. Ability to lift 40 lbs.
Competitive benefit package including generous paid time off, health and vision insurance, dental insurance, and retirement plan.
To submit an application, please email [e-mail] your cover letter, resume, and short writing samples. PLEASE PUT “River Towns Planner” IN THE SUBJECT OF YOUR MESSAGE
Application Deadline: September 14, 2015
Trish Carothers, Executive Director, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 1783