Community Development Associate

About Africatown Community Land Trust

Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) is dedicated to fostering community ownership of land in Seattle's Central District, aiming to support the cultural and economic thriving of people from the African diaspora in the Greater Seattle area. The ACLT board comprises experienced real estate professionals, business executives, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and long-time Central District community members.

About The Position

ACLT is seeking a dynamic professional to support resident services, community engagement, homeownership initiatives, and community-centered real estate development. This role will act as a liaison between ACLT residents, community members, and its real estate development activities, with a specific focus on creating homeownership pathways, supporting legacy homeowners, preventing displacement, and ensuring meaningful engagement of residents and stakeholders in ACLT development projects. The successful candidate will work directly with residents, homeowners, prospective homeowners, neighborhood stakeholders, and development partners. The position requires the ability to fluidly manage relationship-based community engagement, program coordination, resident services, and the technical/administrative aspects of real estate development. A passion for revitalizing underserved communities and adaptability to changing priorities are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for residents, homeowners, prospective homeowners, and community members seeking information on ACLT programs, housing opportunities, and development projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with residents, legacy homeowners, community organizations, small businesses, neighborhood stakeholders, and service partners.
• Support homeownership and anti-displacement initiatives by connecting residents and legacy homeowners with appropriate housing counseling, financial, legal, home-repair, estate-planning, tax-relief, and other resources.
• Assist residents and prospective homeowners in navigating applications, eligibility requirements, referrals, workshops, and other program requirements.
• Coordinate community engagement activities for ACLT development projects, including meetings, workshops, surveys, focus groups, project updates, and outreach.
• Communicate development plans and technical project information in clear, accessible language, and relay resident and community feedback to ACLT leadership and the development team.
• Support the Real Estate Development team by participating in project meetings and assisting with project schedules, consultant coordination, contracts, invoices, reporting, and other development-related tasks.
• Maintain relationships with housing counselors, lenders, legal-service providers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other partners supporting residents, homeowners, and ACLT development activities.
• Track resident engagement, referrals, program participation, and project-related community activities, maintaining appropriate files and records.
• Assist with grant applications, funding proposals, reporting, compliance, and data collection related to community development, resident services, homeownership, and real estate projects.
• Represent ACLT at community meetings, public meetings, neighborhood events, and industry events.
• Perform other related duties supporting ACLT's community development, homeownership, anti-displacement, and real estate goals.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Foundational knowledge of and passion for community and economic development, small business development, urban planning, public health, and public policy, as well as real estate development.
• Superior organizational and time management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Self-directed, able to develop a personal work plan, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong written, verbal, and tactical communication skills.
• Experience developing reports and compliance information in accordance with HUD standards.
• Experience with policy and program analysis methods, including budget tools.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, social media, and search engines.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with people of all social and cultural backgrounds, ages, and experience levels.
• Ability to contribute to a positive, inclusive work and learning environment.
• Ability to maintain discretion when dealing with constituents.
• Flexible, adaptable, positive attitude, open to feedback, and willing to learn new tools and techniques.
• Ability to travel within the Greater Seattle area.
• Ability to lift equipment (up to 30 lbs.).
• Ability to work some nights, weekends, and a flexible schedule as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or related field preferred.
• Two years of experience in Commercial Real Estate, Urban Planning, Engineering, or a related field (desired).
• Project management experience (desired).

To Be Considered

• Complete an online ACLT job application.
• Attach a resume detailing professional and lived experience related to the position.
• Attach a cover letter detailing how you meet the qualifications.
• Attach a one-page max response to supplemental questions (email to [email protected]).