Job Posting: Bilingual (Spanish / English) Outreach Staff

Job Summary

Note: This is a temporary appointment from June 2018 through August 2018. Flexible schedule required. Weekday evenings (4-8 pm) and weekends (noon to 5 pm).

OverviewPoverty Solutions at U-M (poverty.umich.edu) is a new interdisciplinary initiative that aims to become a leader in informing, identifying, and testing new strategies for the prevention and alleviation of poverty in Michigan, the nation and the world. While rooted in an understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty, the focus of Poverty Solutions is an action-based agenda aimed at informing strategies for the prevention and alleviation of poverty. Through research, engaged learning and by joining forces with policymakers and community organizations, this initiative is uniquely placed to foster positive change.

Poverty Solutions is partnering with the Population Studies Center at the U-M Institute for Social Research and the Ford School of Public Policy to conduct the Detroit Metropolitan Area Community Study (DMACS), an ongoing survey of Detroit area residents about their community, including their experiences, perceptions, priorities, and aspirations. DMACS is envisioned as a long-term, large-scale investment in the people and communities of metro Detroit. This survey will provide data in a manner that is scientifically valid, accessible to a wide range of users, covers the entire metropolitan area, captures change over time, and reaches underserved/under-represented groups. It will have the capacity to rapidly deliver research-quality information about the impact of current changes and initiatives in the City, allowing dynamic tracking of how residents perceive, evaluate, and connect with their communities. It will be customizable to meet the needs of policymakers and other stakeholders so as to provide information that can inform future public policy decisions and investments and will provide citizens a platform for communicating their needs, their visions of the future for both their local areas and the broader region, and their reactions to new initiatives.

We are seeking to hire up to 2 energetic and committed bilingual (Spanish / English) individuals to serve as Outreach Staff. Outreach Staff will work as a part of a team to successfully engage Detroit residents into the DMACS survey. They will also provide relevant information about city-wide resources that are available to residents. Members of the outreach team will not be soliciting funds from residents. These positions will be based at the U-M Detroit Center (3663 Woodward Ave) with considerable time spent in Detroit neighborhoods and occasional meetings in Ann Arbor.

Responsibilities*

Recruit Detroit residents into the Detroit Metropolitan Area Community Study through door-to-door canvassing (Note: Data collectors will encourage and enable residents to complete the online survey, but will not conduct interviews themselves);Distribute information about city-wide resources that are potentially available to residents (workforce development support, property tax exemption information, summer youth employment opportunities, etc.);Prepare mailings and conduct phone follow-up calls to Detroit residents; Collect and enter outreach data in project systems; andConduct other administrative/clerical duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

Spanish language skills at or above ILR Level 3 (Professional Working Proficiency)Ability to sustain door-to-door walking for 2-3 hours at a time and support others in the same;Comfort knocking on doors of strangers and walking on potentially unfamiliar streets;Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including an outgoing personality with an interest in helping people;Basic computer skills (file management, Microsoft software, email and web-navigation);Ability to work as part of a team and effectively interact with diverse team members;Demonstrated ability to follow written and spoken instructions; andA high school diploma or equivalent.

Desired Qualifications*

Demonstrated experience with door-to-door canvassing;Previous PEERRS training;Knowledge of and familiarity with residential neighborhoods in Detroit (residents of Detroit strongly preferred);Knowledge of the City of Detroit’s resources for underserved residents; andDemonstrated team leadership skills including the ability to self-motivate, take initiative and exercise good judgment.

Additional Information

Outreach Staff are expected to commit 20 hour per week. A flexible schedule is required. Staff can expect to be in the field several evenings (4-8pm) and weekends (12-5pm) and should be able to conduct 2-4 hour door-to-door shifts. Staff are required to complete an online U-M PEERRS training.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.