Employment Opportunity

Job title: Broad Street Regeneration Initiative Coordinator

Company Overview: The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is a non-profit corporation registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) educational organization and was authorized under Section 42-63.1-5 of the Rhode Island General Laws as the State designated regional tourism development agency for the Northern Rhode Island tourism district. The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council works to bridge the gaps between the economy, the environment, and the people that live in the Valley. This triple-bottom line approach is the definition of sustainable community development. The Council’s concept of tourism is about creating a unique sense of place through social, economic and physical development for Valley residents, and in turn, creating a destination for visitors.

Job Description: In 2007, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council began working with Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Cumberland to develop regional cooperative solutions to some of the issues plaguing Broad Street: low median incomes, low high-school graduation rates, high levels of crime and underemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, pollution and absentee landlords. The Council then applied for, and was awarded, a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service to undertake a regional planning project. This planning project helped develop an action plan, or road map, which charted the course for the effort to revitalize the Broad Street corridor, a three-mile ribbon that spans the three communities and links downtown Pawtucket with the northern Blackstone Valley. Broad Street is a unique place. A mixture of uses – businesses, homes, churches, schools, industry, parks and government buildings - can all be found within this dense three mile stretch. Many of these buildings are reflective of the street’s history and there are a number of places listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Broad Street is also and has always been a melting pot of rich cultures, from the European and Asian immigrants of the 1700 and 1800’s, to the Latin American, Caribbean, and African immigrants of today. Globally, there has been a heightened interest in Smart Growth and sustainability as a way for communities to guide development. But many of the components that characterize Smart Growth and sustainable development - a compact development pattern, a mix of uses, and development within urban areas - already characterize Broad Street. The Initiative began with an extensive community outreach effort to understand the community’s resources and needs. It took approximately 10 months to collect the data and produce an action plan, with the help of innumerable partner organizations and the architecture and urban planning consulting firms. The Broad Street Action Plan has responded directly to the concerns and comments of the existing businesses and residents and aims to capitalize on Broad Street’s strengths.

Requirements/Qualifications: Due to the large study area and the considerable amount of partner organizations and stakeholders, a dedicated coordinator is needed to help implement and channel the directives of the action plan. Working closely with the planning and economic development departments of the three communities, local residents, business owners and property owners, as well as social, governmental and non-governmental organizations, the coordinator will help stimulate sustainable development programs and related projects. Previous endeavors included Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, resource analysis, event and tour development, media relations and promotional development, public speaking, report and grant writing, community organizing and outreach, business networking, educational, economic and social program development, conflict resolution and website updating. Applicants should be interested in sustainable development, civic-tourism, place making, community and urban planning, economic development, small business development, historical preservation and education. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are necessary. It is beneficial but not required that applicants speak Spanish.

How to apply: Please contact Blackstone Valley Tourism Council for application instructions: phone: 401-724-2200 email: natalie@tourblackstone.com Deadline for applications is November 25, 2008

Contact: Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Address: 175 Main Street
City/State/Zip: Pawtucket, RI 02860
Country: US
Email: natalie@tourblackstone.com
Web: http://www.blackstonevalleytourismcouncil.com/
Phone:401-724-2200
Fax:401-724-1342