Community Associate

Job Title: Community Associate
Organization: Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)
Location: Coachella Valley, CA
Job Opening: Flexible
Closing date: When Filled

Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a collective of diverse urbanists—architects, landscape architects, urban planners, community organizers, and engineers— united by our shared commitment to building equity, justice, and resilience in communities through design. A BIPOC- and woman-led firm founded in 2006, KDI comprises 50 professionals working from four offices: Los Angeles, Eastern Coachella Valley, Nairobi, and Stockholm.

JOB DESCRIPTION
KDI is currently seeking a Community Associate in the Eastern Coachella Valley who is passionate about formulating, leading, and coordinating community-based programming to support the organization’s continued design and development work in the region. We are looking for someone who knows the communities of the Eastern Coachella Valley intimately and is eager to help residents create positive change in their communities. A candidate with a commitment to and experience in advancing social, economic, and environmental justice is highly desired. This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and creative self-starter with leadership skills to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary, growing organization on a range of project types. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Programming - 55%

• Design and implement community-led arts, social, recreational, and economic development programming across KDI’s sites in the Eastern Coachella Valley.  Examples of programs may include: a youth environmental justice academy; a local food vending cooperative; a bike share and repair program for community members.
• Work with and support KDI community partners in the Eastern Coachella Valley to improve capacity and build self-sufficiency. This includes formulating and facilitating leadership development trainings, one-on-one mentorship meetings, and network building events.
• Work with the KDI design and planning teams to include community programming opportunities and facilities within our public space design and construction processes.
• Lead strategic planning across all KDI projects to coordinate programming longevity and social impact, thinking about the entire programming process from beginning to end.
• Attend project-related and coalition building meetings in the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles, as needed.
  
  

Project Event Planning and Community Outreach - 35%

• Lead the event planning and logistics for community events across multiple KDI projects. This includes coordinating with community members, vendors, and clients to implement community events.
• Attend community events to ensure their success and coordinate their execution, serving as the point person for communication throughout the event planning process.
• Work with the design and planning teams to create events that are culturally relevant and exciting in their design, graphics, and activities. This position does not require knowledge of graphic design tools or programs, as it will be supported by designers within the KDI team.
• Occasional heavy lifting may be required; however never more than ~30lbs.
• NOTE: Due to long distances between the areas where we work, you will need to provide your own transportation; however, mileage costs will be reimbursed.

Office Operations and Communication - 10%

• Participate in meetings and phone calls to discuss business development opportunities and project work planning with KDI staff as needed, traveling to Los Angeles occasionally for in-person meetings.
• NOTE: Due to the community nature of our work, you will need to be open to working flexible hours, including weekends and after 6pm. KDI has a compensation time policy to account for additional hours worked outside of the normal business hour schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must have the following experience or skills:

• Background in community organizing, event planning, and/or community programming.
• Fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal).
• Comfortable with public speaking, leading workshops, resident relationship building and talking with people of all backgrounds.
• 3-5 years of experience in a formal work setting, with experience in strategic-thinking, leadership, and implementation.
• Excellent time-management, budgetary, and organizational skills with an eye towards detail.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and problem solve in real time

Candidates with the following experience or skills are desired:

• Experience living or working in the Eastern Coachella Valley.
• Experience with youth- or teen-based programming.
• Experience with climate justice programming and activism.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Benefits Package includes 401k, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Paid Time Off. 
• Schedule: Monday to Friday, with flexible schedule options
• Salary commensurate with experience

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send electronic copy of a cover letter and resume to: LAJobs@kounkuey.org
Subject heading: Community Associate: [Your Name]

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or medical condition. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.