Careers

PAY RANGE/GRADE: Commensurate with experience /Grade 5

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Organizer identifies and develops relationships with resident and community leaders, staffs resident and community activities, site meetings, resident committees and other efforts to increase engagement and organization of tenants and community members at the sites, on committees, and around community issues. The Organizer reports to and works closely with the Director of Communications & Engagement. In all instances the Organizer must perform in accordance with and be committed to the Bickerdike mission and must project a genuinely positive attitude.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, climb, and lift or move up to 50 pounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Identify and recruit potential tenant and community volunteers and leaders (adults and youth) to engage in resident and community efforts.
2. Maintain regular communication with tenants at identified sites to provide information and gather information, engage in issues, and develop relationships with residents (e.g., regularly canvass sites, phone calls, one-on-one meetings, mailings, and more).
3. Work with resident and community leaders to build relationships, grow resident participation, and engage in trainings, civic responsibility, and mobilization to increase skills and effectiveness on issues and committee work, positively impact personal growth, and affect social change.
4. Implement leadership development strategies with identified residents and community members to identify priority issues, increase involvement, and take ownership in issues and activities relevant to BRC work in coordination with the Director of Communications & Engagement.
5. Staff and provide support to resident committees and their efforts building resident involvement and developing leaders (e.g., Residents Council, Garden Committee).
6. Work closely with committee members to identify issues, plan, strategize, budget, set goals and achieve results on an ongoing basis.
7. Staff and provide support to community committees and their efforts building community involvement and developing leaders (e.g., Humboldt Park NCP Task Force).
8. Plan, coordinate and carry out all components of resident events in conjunction with resident leaders and committees to include but not limited to utilizing teamwork, building Bickerdike’s active tenant base, setting goals, developing work plans and budgets, etc. (e.g. Holiday Dinner, Family Day, etc.).
9. Plan, coordinate and carry out the organizing and facilitation of tenant building and site meetings as appropriate to problem-solve, educate residents, and strategize around identified issues.
10. Educate and reinforce utilization of proper policies and procedures for residents to work with property management to remedy problems with physical units or situations; facilitate communication and problem-solving strategies when necessary.
11. Work closely with residents and to educate and implement identified goals around specific developments as appropriate.
12. Facilitate, coordinate as appropriate, and ensure tenant participation in relevant community issues, projects, and events in coordination with the Director of Communications & Engagement (e.g., public safety efforts, affordable housing campaign work, civic engagement, CAPS meetings, block clubs, etc.).
13. Monitor budgets and expense tracking relevant to tenant organizing committee work, events and activities, to ensure that spending is kept within budget.
14. Attract additional resources and opportunities to organizing efforts as appropriate (e.g., in-kind, and financial donations, fundraising in conjunction with committee events).
15. Maintain regular communication with community stakeholders to provide and gather information, engage in issues, and develop relationships throughout the community. Build Bickerdike’s member base by recruiting new individuals and organizations, renewing memberships, to further build the organization.
16. Act as a liaison with and provide accurate information about Bickerdike’s mission and work to tenants, community organizations and the community at large.
17. Maintain a record keeping system and documentation of relevant tenant and community activities, leader involvement, and budgets as necessary.
18. Perform other relevant tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of 2 years relationship building and organizing for social change or comparable work experience. High school diploma or equivalent required. Must have good listening, organizational, communication, writing, public speaking and interpersonal skills. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Publisher, and Excel. Must also be flexible and able to work in a team effectively with persons of various ethnic and economic backgrounds and be willing to work flexible hours (evenings and weekends). Work environment will include being outside every season of the year, climbing stairs, and knocking on doors. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Must have access to a car on a daily basis, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance for fieldwork.

REPORTING RELATIONS:  Under the direct supervision of the Director of Communications & Engagement.  In the absence of this supervisor, shall report to the VP of Administration & Operations.

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:  Non-Exempt

POSITION TITLE: Leasing/Occupancy Specialist

PAY RANGE/GRADE: commensurate with experience/Grade 5

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Leasing/Occupancy Specialist will be responsible for carrying-out and completing the essential work of applicant screening, home inspection, leasing and occupancy related functions for Bickerdike’s rental and/or co-op housing, as well as maintaining the lowest vacancy rates possible. In all instances the Leasing/Occupancy Specialist will perform in accordance with and be committed to the Bickerdike mission. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand walk, climb and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintain and carry-out the application and leasing process for persons seeking rental/coop housing including, but not limited to: screening applicants for vacant units based on predetermined tenant selection criteria, preparing eligible cases to be presented to the tenant selection and appeals committees, marketing, showing apartments, preparing leases and move-ins and maintaining an adequate number of screened and selected cases to ensure maximum occupancy.
2. Ensure completion of all required items and documentation related to the applicant screening process including but not limited to landlord verifications, home visits, income certifications, credit and criminal background checks, carrying out diligent follow up with all relevant individuals/entities as required.
3. Carry out and ensure occupancy related duties for occupied units including maintaining, updating and processing all current resident information, lease renewals, tax credit compliance, annual home inspections, annual re-certifications and move-outs.
4. Ensure that all policies and procedures related to leasing and occupancy are adhered to and ensure that all applicant files are reviewed by the Property Manager prior to submission to the Appeals Committee and that all resident leases are reviewed by the Property Manager prior to lease execution/signing.
5. Coordinate and carry out annual inspections and all required follow-up duties including taking warranted action such as filing work orders, billing, etc. in relation to tenant damages noted during annual inspections and/or re-inspection in cases of bad housekeeping or failed inspections.
6. Coordinate and carryout all duties related to assigned waiting lists, in coordination with the Property Manager, including but not limited to: maintaining accurate and up to date status information, ongoing tracking of move-ins, move outs and transfers, all aspects of the annual updating process and all duties related to wait list re-openings.
7. Prepare and submit to Property Manager all required reporting to owners, governmental agencies, funding agencies and others as appropriate prior to due dates.
8. Maintain and utilize established electronic and paper record keeping systems and documents in accordance with internal protocol, HUD, IHDA, tax credit and other regulatory guidelines and requirements including but not limited to tenant files, rent rolls, annual inspections, required recertification forms, and Class 9 forms.
9. Staff the Appeals Committee and other committee meetings as appropriate.
10. Ensure maximum occupancy rates and the lowest achievable vacancy rates, minimizing rental income loss to properties.
11. Report tenant problems/concerns/complaints to the Property Manager.
12. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of 3 years of related Leasing/Occupancy Specialist experience. High school diploma or equivalent required. Must have or be willing to obtain Leasing Agent License. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus. Low Income Housing Tax Credit experience needed. Good communication, writing, computer and organizational skills necessary. Must be able to work with persons of various ethnic and economic backgrounds. Willing to work flexible hours. Must have access to car, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance for work in field. West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square and Hermosa residents preferred.

REPORTING RELATIONS: Under the general supervision of the Property Manager. In the absence of this supervisor, shall report to the Vice President of Property Management or as assigned.

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

PAY RANGE/GRADE:  commensurate with experience / Grade 3

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  The Receptionist is responsible for answering and directing all incoming calls, greeting visitors/clients and answering and/or directing inquiries about Bickerdike and its services and performing clerical work as assigned. In all instances the Receptionist must perform in accordance with and be committed to the Bickerdike mission.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, lift and or move up to 10 pounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Receive and direct visitors either on the phones or in person in a professional and courteous manner relaying appropriate information.
2. Work closely with the Secretary II to coordinate day to day and special projects.
3. Provide back-up and support the front desk and Administration Department as needed.
4. Type all assigned letters and correspondence and route all incoming mail.
5. Mail, messenger, federal express all correspondence and other items as requested.
6. Operate office machines such as copier, fax and postage machine.
7. Carry-out filing needs for various departments as required.
8. Perform data entry as directed.
9. Perform other clerical tasks as assigned.
10. Perform other relevant tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Minimum of 2 years related work experience.  High school diploma or equivalent required.  Good communication and customer service skills necessary as well as proficiency in writing and typing. A positive attitude and dependability with attentiveness to details a must. Computer knowledge necessary. Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.  Must be willing to work flexible hours.

REPORTING RELATIONS:  Under the direct supervision of the VP of Administration & Operations. In the absence of this supervisor shall report to the Human Resources Manager.

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:  Non-Exempt