Join the Prospect Heights Open Streets team

The Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street is the only volunteer-run Open Street of its kind in Brooklyn, and one of the most visible in New York City. Dozens of community members have volunteered to help plan and manage the program, conduct neighborhood outreach, raise funds, schedule programming, and design an attractive and safe environment for the thousands of visitors who enjoy the avenue during Open Street hours. The program also employs staff who deploy and monitor the barriers that close Vanderbilt Avenue to traffic and provide supplemental sanitation assistance while the Open Street is in operation.

Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Street program began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as an economic relief initiative intended to help restaurants remain open, keep staff employed and serve customers. Today, more than twenty restaurants on Vanderbilt Avenue help fund the program, as well as assist in its operations. The Open Street is further funded through donations from community members, local businesses, and corporate sponsors, with additional funding from the City of New York.

We currently have the following openings for individuals interested in working on the leading edge of progressive transportation policy in New York City and creating new public space.

Program Manager

Employment type: part-time, approximately 20 hours/week
Hourly rate of pay: $40/hour
Start date: March 1, 2023
Duration: March–November 2023, with possibility to extend
Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY

Description

The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) is inviting applications for a Program Manager position to support our Open Streets program. PHNDC partners with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) to run the Prospect Heights Open Streets on Vanderbilt Avenue and Underhill Avenue. The Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street operates every weekend spring through fall, during which we close six blocks of the avenue to traffic on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, to open the street for outdoor dining, entertainment, family programming, walking, biking, playing and for neighbors and visitors to meet up. The Underhill Avenue Open Street runs year-round and hosts light programming events once or twice a week in the spring and summer seasons.

PHNDC is a volunteer-based not-for-profit civic organization currently preparing for a fourth year of Open Streets organizing. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated program manager to support weekly organizational tasks and day-of-event coordination and logistics. This position includes being on-call during event hours, and on-site for part of the weekend.

Responsibilities
  • Coordinate provision of DOT equipment (e.g., barriers, regulated signs)
  • Coordinate with NYPD for event opening support
  • Prepare and deliver weekly run of show, including operating logistics, programming events, and staff and volunteer schedules
  • Review weekend performance with staff
  • Review staff time sheets
  • Train staff
  • Ensure team compliance with program protocols
  • Maintain inventory of necessary equipment
  • Notify residents regarding significant events as necessary
  • Set changes to operating hours due to weather
  • Maintain training materials for marshals and volunteers
  • Create summary report of dangerous conditions, incidents logged for DOT and NYPD
  • Respond to unexpected day-of-event situations escalated from marshal team
What we expect from you

You should have a minimum of 3 years professional experience in event or program management and have strong organizational skills, be able to work independently, and have excellent spoken and written communication skills. You should be able to work in a dynamic environment and be comfortable interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, including event staff, volunteers, community residents, visitors, local business owners, DOT, NYPD, and MTA staff. This role requires being on-call during event hours, and being on-site for part of the weekend.

We are looking for someone who is attentive to detail, proactive, thoughtful and resourceful,and has strong problem-solving skills. Affinity with urban planning, placemaking, the Open Streets program or other DOT initiatives or safe streets campaigns is a bonus but not required.

How to apply

Send a resume and cover letter stating your interest and qualifications, and contact details of two references to PHNDC at openstreets@phndc.org. Feel free to contact us with questions or inquiries regarding this position. Applications will be reviewed starting December 20th 2022 until the position is filled.

Who is PHNDC?

Since its founding in 2004, the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) has been the leading civic organization providing advocacy for neighborhood-wide issues on behalf of the residents and businesses of Prospect Heights. Its programs have engaged and received the support of thousands of community members in Prospect Heights and its environs. In addition, PHNDC holds public meetings on subjects of interest to residents of Prospect Heights, including historic preservation, transportation policy, and local development. PHNDC sponsors non-partisan public forums for candidates for local elected offices. PHNDC also provides technical and operational support to block associations and community organizations within Prospect Heights.

For more information, visit https://www.phndc.org/content/about-phndc

What is the Open Streets program?

NYC Open Streets was established by the NYC DOT during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to create more public space. PHNDC operates two Open Streets in partnership with NYC DOT: Vanderbilt Avenue and Underhill Avenue. PHNDC’s support of these programs is in keeping with its mission to build a safer, more just and sustainable neighborhood. NYC’s Open Streets program allows communities to embrace new public space and support small businesses. Open Streets prioritize pedestrians and cyclists by transforming streets into public space. These transformations allow for a range of activities, support local businesses, and create opportunities for New Yorkers to gather together safely.