Soul Players of the Valley (SPV), a collaborative comprised of four communities in the San Luis Valley, seeks a Community Planning Manager (CPM) to support the coordination of a comprehensive regional and local 14-month planning process. The CPM will work directly with a local steering committee and lead consultant, the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado.
Vision:
Over the next 14 months, the SPV visions the engagement of community residents, consultants, and the steering committee to develop a comprehensive plan that will focus on advancing the economic, health/wellness, educational and social opportunities, among others, in the four communities. The plan will be a multi-year blueprint for elevating and transforming these communities. The CPM will play a key role in supporting the coordination efforts in seeing through the planning process.
SPV Background:
In 2018, various grassroot Latino community leaders from South Alamosa began to meet, with the support of the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado (LCFC), to discuss the issues in the Latino community and how best to address them through a community driven process. Overtime, the community leaders expanded the group to include four communities: South Alamosa (Alamosa County), Capulin and Antonito (Conejos County) and San Luis (Costilla County).
From 2018 through February 2020 grassroot resident leaders from the four communities, encompassing four generations, met consistently to develop their leadership and community building skill. They raised awareness of systemic inequities in their communities and developed a collaborative problem-solving community process that built trust and relationships across all four communities. These actions have produced new opportunities in each community to address historical and current social and economic issues facing their local communities as well as launching a regional approach to address economic, health, educational, and other inequities facing the Valley
Each community developed a local vision for what their community could be as well as elevated these visions to a regional vision. During this time, they practiced building trust, awareness and exploring common issues regionally as well as within each community. Those visions are now being elevated to create a regional/local blueprint in the coming 14 months. Funding has been secured for the planning process that will result in a comprehensive blueprint for community transformation.
A Steering Committee comprised of two volunteer members from San Luis, South Alamosa, Antonito and Capulin (totaling eight) will help oversee the planning process and serve as liaisons to their respective community. These members have been active and engaged with the process since 2018.
The Role: SPV is seeking a Community Planning Manager (CPM) to coordinate and support the day-to-day operations involved with the development of an inclusive and comprehensive economic and community plan for San Luis, Antonito, Capulin and South Alamosa. The CPM will be an employee of the Town of Antonito and work with the Steering Committee and the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado to successfully handle competing priorities, move the planning process through its phases, and contribute to the development of the community transformational blueprint. The CPM must have good organizational and project management skills and have a high attention to detail and follow through. The CPM will oversee and manage day to day operations, setting the pace of the planning process and support the completion of each planning phase.
The CPM will report to the Soul Players of the Valley Steering Committee and the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado (LCFC) and will work collaboratively with other consultants during the life of this planning project.
In addition, the CPM will possess a strong appreciation for rural/Latino communities and ability to pull from their own lived experience to set the tone for a relational community-led approach.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Plan and manage logistics and administrative support for SPV engagements including but not limited to monthly planning meetings, independent and regional community meetings, trainings and support local community meetings.
· Serve as a main point of contact for duration of planning process, and provide up to date communication to SPV Steering Committee Members and communities of Antonito, Capulin, San Luis and S. Alamosa
· Serve as a Liaison with communities, state, and local institutions (government and others) and potential funders while developing strong relationships and trust (outreach, fielding questions)
· Ability to support the creation of communication materials related to SPV and planning process including but not limited to marketing and branding collateral material with support of consultants
· Monitoring budget with support of fiscal sponsor. Ability to work with critical partners and consultants (LCFC, Evaluation Team, and others)
CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:
· Effective communication skills both written and oral
· Possessing a creative approach to problem solving
· Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience building relationships and working collaborative in a team.
· Possess strong sense of objectivity
· Strong technological skills and troubleshooting ability including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams), Google Docs and Forms, and webinar/video conferencing tools.
DESIRED ABILITIES:
· Highly organized with systemic approach to work
· Ability to work remotely and independently
· Frequent travel within San Luis Valley and to Denver required
CHARACTERISTICS:
· Passion for making lasting change in community
· Bicultural and knowledge of the San Luis Valley preferred.
The CPM will be an employee of the Town of Antonito and work with the Steering Committee and the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado.
Must have a valid Colorado driver license, up to date insurance and reliable car. Good driving record as they will have to drive to the four communities. Applicants with DUI are ineligible. Background check will be performed on final candidate.
This is a full-time, exempt, and temporary position (14-16 months). Benefits not provided with position. However, are available at a cost. Employee must consent to random drug testing.
Location: Antonito Townhall and or remote working environment. (Laptop and printer provided) Must have access to Wi-Fi and cellphone.
Compensation: $4,500 monthly. Monthly stipend for Wi-Fi and cellphone, and mileage reimbursement provided.
Start Date: April 2022
To Apply: submit application, cover letter and resume by March 18, 2022