Help Wanted at the Utica Phoenix

For The Good, Inc., and the Utica Phoenix are seeking a qualified person for the position of Community Organizer/Managing Editor for the Utica Phoenix Weekly Newspaper.

Job Description:
For the Good, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 and based in historic Utica, New York. FTG works to benefit the Utica community through services aimed at low income residents and their neighborhoods, and has established itself as a valuable, productive contributor to the community. FTG is home to the MV Entrepreneurs’ Guild, the Utica Phoenix news magazine, the Utica Urban Garden Initiative, the Study Buddy Club, King of King’s Basketball League, the Oneida County Black History Archive and the Cultural Interface Committee.  

Qualifications:
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree and/or prior, relevant work in community organizing or the non-profit sector. Special interest in social justice, community development, or human rights is preferred. Some experience or interest in urban agriculture is also desired, but not required.
Candidates should have strong analytical, writing, and public speaking skills, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work well with teens, and with diverse religious, racial, and ethnic communities, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Candidates must have strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign is preferred.

Program Descriptions and Responsibilities:

The Study Buddy Club
•A mentoring/tutoring program that connects inner city teens with Hamilton College mentors.
•The SBC meets bi-monthly on Saturdays on the college campus throughout the academic year.
•Responsibilities include: managing the tutoring calendar, collaborating with Hamilton College students and SBC volunteers for activities, guest speakers, etc., tracking the academic results of participants, maintaining the SBC database, engaging parents and responsible community members as chaperones for bus rides to its Hamilton College location, and field trips, guiding student leadership team, and planning a field trip.

The Utica Phoenix
•A weekly, independent, news magazine representing the Mohawk Valley since 2002.
•Responsibilities include: editing, layout, ad design, communication with advertisers and writers/columnists, writing, managing the Facebook page and Twitter pages, and updating and maintaining the newspaper’s website.

The Utica Urban Garden Initiative
•Three organic, raised bed gardens around the City of Utica.
•Residents volunteer their time in exchange for free produce.
•Goals of gardens: to promote healthy living and eating, to prevent food scarcity/hunger, to encourage community participation, to improve and foster community relations between diverse, ethnic groups and to reduce the carbon footprint.
•Responsibilities include: participation in garden meetings, working in the garden, and maintenance of a garden database.
The Community Organizer will also be responsible for other in-house tasks, such as mailings, and will assist in grant writing.

To apply:
Candidates should send a resume and cover letter to forthegoodinc@gmail.com, or mail to 1113 Linwood Place, Utica, NY 13501.

By Mark Ziobro