Neighborhood Design Center

Neighborhood Design Center is hiring: Community Design Works Project Coordinator

Neighborhood Design Center, Baltimore, MD, US

Job Description

Community Design Works Project Coordinator

The Neighborhood Design Center seeks a full-time Project Coordinator within the Architecture and Community Planning team. This hybrid role coordinates design projects in Baltimore’s Community Design Works (CDW) program and also assists with various fee-based architecture assignments across the organization. This is a significant opportunity to work in partnership with Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, and community leaders throughout Maryland who are advocating for and implementing change in their neighborhoods. The candidate will work in a fast-paced, collaborative, and interdisciplinary environment with landscape architects, urban planners, architects, foresters, artists, and social designers, all committed to creating just spaces where people thrive. Interested applicants should be motivated, organized, and self-driven.

What you’ll do:

CDW Project Coordination (70%): Under general guidance from the CDW Program Manager, the Project Coordinator will work on community-initiated CDW projects, focused on issues of neighborhood planning, architectural and landscape design, streetscaping, community engagement, and placemaking. The coordinator supports all aspects of a successful, rigorous community design project including research, outreach, engagement, design, project and team management, project handoff, documentation, and reporting. General tasks include:

Assisting with project scoping, timelines, and team formation
Onboarding volunteer designers
Coordinating and facilitating volunteer, partner, and community meetings
Keeping project timelines on schedule and maintain project records and correspondence
Assisting the volunteer design teams with creating and leading participatory workshops
Assisting volunteer design teams with review and packaging design deliverables
Researching project-related issues and best practices
Assisting with occasional special projects and fundraising events, as needed

Architectural Design (30%): Separate from the work performed in the CDW program, the Project Coordinator will provide architectural and interior design support for projects outside of our signature pro bono program, design projects in collaboration with internal landscape and architecture teams. Tasks can include:

Producing architectural concept designs and renderings using 3D software
Conducting site analysis and feasibility studies
Facilitating community engagements and stakeholder outreach

As part of the NDC team, all staff are expected to participate in building team culture and fundraising initiatives; participating in regular staff meetings to ensure effective and efficient cross-program delivery; sharing the work of NDC and our partners in public forums in coordination with the organization's marketing team; building positive relationships with NDC partners; and additional duties as assigned.

Experience we’re seeking:

2-4 years of professional experience in a design office or comparable setting
Bachelor's or Master's degree in social design, architecture, urban design, community planning, or related fields
Ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders and clients
Familiarity with Baltimore City, and the DC Metro region
Strong personal commitment to community design and social justice
Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills to present and lead workshops with diverse stakeholders
Experience and comfort working directly with residents in neighborhood settings

Required Job-related skills:

Excellent communication and organizational skills
Strong architectural design and rendering skills
Capacity for project management of multiple projects
Adept relationship builder and collaborator
Team player with flexible mindset
Proficiency with AutoCAD / ArcGIS / SketchUp / Revit desirable
Facility with Adobe Creative Suite
Some graphic design skills
A good sense of humor
Fluency in Spanish a plus

Neighborhood Design Center is a small nonprofit, with a team-oriented, creative and flexible work environment. Tasks are varied and occasionally unpredictable, so a flexible mindset and willingness to pitch in are highly valued. The role is expected to support the work of other programs within the organization as needed. Staff currently work a hybrid telework schedule in a 40-hour work week. Due to the nature of this role, the Project Coordinator must be able to attend site visits, off-site meetings, and work during some evenings and weekends. All of the CDW projects are in Baltimore City. This role reports to the Architecture and Community Planning Programs Director.

Submission Materials

Resume with one to two relevant examples of past and/or current work from the past 3 years, each work example should include the following components: project title, client, milestones with dates, description of project, and your role; file not to exceed 10MB
Two professional references
Cover letter (2 pages max): within your cover letter please share a brief statement of how your work or practice addresses racial justice, social equity, or design justice and how your lived experience has influenced that work

Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000

Closing Date:

December 6, 2024, with a desired start date in mid-February 2025.

About NDC

The Neighborhood Design Center, founded in 1968, provides access to low cost and pro bono design services in underserved communities in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, MD. In collaboration with neighborhood groups, local government agencies, and fellow nonprofits, we support locally driven initiatives for neighborhoods pursuing improved quality of life within their built environments. More about NDC: www.ndc-md.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NDC is an equal opportunity employer. Black people, indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. We believe that having a board, staff, and membership with diverse identities and backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates a creative and vibrant environment where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive. To that end, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture where all employees are equally included, valued, and supported.

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