Project for Public Spaces

Job Openings

Project for Public Spaces currently has positions available and we are currently accepting applications for Spring 2008 interns.

Training & Communications Associate

Job Summary
PPS is seeking an energetic and organized Training and Communications Associate to provide assistance across all of the department’s functions (training programs, event planning, publications, public relations, communications and website). The ideal candidate will have an interest in urban planning, community development and the mission of PPS. A background in marketing, communications or event planning is a plus. He or she should have the ability to maintain flexibility when goals change, work independently as well as within a team, work comfortably with a broad range of information technology, and should be highly motivated. The position reports to both the Marketing & Communications Manager and Training Manager.

Responsibilities include the following:

Communications:

1) Website: The Associate will update website content for all sections of www.pps.org. This includes regularly selecting and updating news items and current project descriptions, and contributing to the new PPS blog. The Associate will also compile web site visitation statistics and produce a monthly report analyzing visitor trends.

2) Communications: The Associate will work as a junior member of the core communications team on producing written content for the Making Places newsletter and bulletin series, as well as creating targeted distribution lists (press and other relevant organizations) for each publication. In addition, the Associate will be responsible for maintaining and creating content for PPS sales materials (brochures etc). The Associate will work with freelance writers and compile finished articles for web publication.

3) Public Relations: The Associate will generate reports and statistics on press mentions and maintain clips database.

4) PPS Publications: The Associate will provide assistance to international organizations wishing to translate PPS books, as well as maintaining the in-office and web store supply of all free and for-sale PPS materials. The Associate will also perform administrative support during the creation of new books (acting as liaison to authors, printers, designers, etc).

Training:

1) Educational Services: The Associate will assist with the logistics of running all educational programs including training seminars, conferences and online education programs. This may include pricing and execution of webinar and other online education programs, organizing educational materials and curriculum, maintaining a database of outreach contacts, handling inquiries, and assisting with course set-up (catering, printing, registration etc).

2) Speaking Engagements: The Associate will act as a liaison between senior PPS staff and external conference organizers, coordinating schedules, speaking agreements and the selling of PPS products. The Associate will also compile speaking engagement stats and produce a monthly report analyzing revenue and topic trends.

Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree and have 1-2 years previous office experience (marketing and communications experience would be a plus). The successful candidate will demonstrate that they are a talented and skilled writer and communicator. Experience using a content management system to update web content, proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, knowledge of HTML, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are highly desirable.

For questions about this position please contact Robin Lester at rlester@pps.org or Sandy Pan at span@pps.org. To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter to Robin Lester at rlester@pps.org.



Associate/Project Management Assitant

Job Summary
A PPS Associate / Project Management Assistant acts as organizer, planner, and resource manager for placemaking projects, helping the project team leader (President, Sr. VP, VP or Sr. PM) to manage the workflow of the project. The PM must be able to managing themselves, be team oriented, assist on more than one project at a time, communicate effectively, facilitate solutions, and view their work as a catalyst for innovation and positive change. The PM maintains the flexibility to adapt when goals change, and possesses humor along with intellectual curiosity.

The PM is responsible for writing placemaking project scopes and deliverables. As a member of a project team, the PM shares the responsibility for attaining the goals of a project as identified in the PPS contract with the client. The PM is assigned specific deliverables, helps manage activities of the project team and relationships with the client and community, and monitors the budget and schedule to effectively meet the client’s objectives. The specific deliverables may include and are not limited to conceptual drawings and written proposals, presentations and reports.

The PM will report to a Vice President of a specific Line of Business. Other assignments will be given as needed by the Senior Management Team (President, Sr. VPs, VPs). This role has the potential to grow.

Duties and Responsibiliites:

  • Has ability or potential to field inquiries and relate PPS’ breadth of services to potential clients to develop conversations into projects.
  • Has ability or potential to draft a scope of work, write a proposal with a budget that will ultimately become a contract and enable a potential client to secure funding.
  • Must be able to take a proactive approach in each of the following:
    • Assist project team leader in the development and management of projects including:

      - Drafting RFP/Q responses and proposals;

      - Assembling project teams in office and with other firms;

      - Maintaining a comprehensive work plan;

      - Helping to define and produce the project deliverables, i.e. organizing workshops (food, venue, study materials, AV equipment, agenda, collecting attendees contact information for database and follow-up);

      - Manage the expectations of all stakeholders;

      - Manage internal and external relationships;

      - Manage one or more project teams in delivering the project;

      - Communicate and manage tasks and activities within the team’s schedule;

      - Provide appropriate feedback, with HR support, to team members.
    • Communicate effectively:

      - Verbal forms, i.e. day-to-day discussions, project team meetings, requirements / budget / project meetings, presentations, etc.;

      - Written forms, i.e. project reports, requirements and design specification documents, internal program summaries and status reports, PowerPoint shows, day-to-day letters and e-mail correspondence, meeting notes, technical documentation, etc.;

      - Must be able to draw presentable concepts for team, prospects and clients;

      - Communications must be clear and concise overall.
  • Manage multiple priorities from one or more projects simultaneously.
  • Assist team leader with budget management, including proper allocation of hours with the ability to project out for three months, monitor staff hours closely, report their status to project team leader regularly; coding office equipment for billing purposes, etc.
  • Manage project resources including but not limited to project fact sheets, slides, workshop notes, reports, plans, base maps, etc.
  • Foster the development of team members on a professional and technical level.

    • Required Skills and Abilities

    • Ability to master PPS project management processes and methodologies.
    • Ability to master PPS project management processes and methodologies.
    • Strong leadership and communications skills out in the field.
    • Excellent writing skills and a strong comfort level for public speaking skills.
    • Strong skills and experience in decision making, problem solving, resource allocation and planning.
    • Demonstrated attention to detail.
    • Ability to develop effective communication of complex technical concepts and ideas in a non-technical, simple manner.
    • Ability to set tactical goals and directly implement the steps to reach the goals.
    • Ability to influence at the managing/leadership level (i.e. day-to-day).
    • Understanding of basic technology and additional skills such as a demonstrated facility with GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite and CAD.
    • Ability to travel out of town for work 5-10 days per month.
    • Bilingual capabilities are an asset.
    • Drafting and drawing skills are favorable.

    Education and/or Experience
    A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in a planning-related field, and either a masters degree in a relevant field (planning, architecture, landscape architecture, geography) or at least three (3) years of work experience including project management experience.

    To Apply:
    Please email your resume and cover letter to Nancy DeNatale at ndenatale. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. We appreciate all interest, but due to the volume of applicants, we will only contact individuals who will be interviewed.

    PPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.




    Part-Time Designer

    Job Summary
    Project for Public Spaces, Inc. (PPS) is a non-profit planning and design organization that is dedicated to advancing the comfort, attractiveness, and social, cultural and economic vitality of public spaces through research, education, and planning and design assistance. Since our founding in 1975, we have worked with 2000 communities in 26 countries around the world to help grow their public spaces into vital community places, with programs, uses, and people-friendly settings that build local value and serve community needs.

    PPS is seeking a part-time designer to assist the Director of Design and the design department in preparing maps, site plans and presentation drawings for a wide variety of public spaces including existing parks and downtowns, as well as streets, plazas and parks in new developments.

    The candidate should have experience preparing sketches, diagrams and presentation drawings and renderings at both the scale of the city and the scale of the individual user. Candidates should have degrees underway or completed in architecture, urban design or landscape architecture.

    Required Skills:

    • Hand drawing and color rendering
    • Perspective drawing
    • AutoCad
    • Sketch-Up
    • Photoshop
    • Illustrator
    • InDesign (desirable, but not a requirement)
    • Web development (desirable, but not a requirement)
    The position is available immediately and is for a minimum of three days a week, with availability to be on call for busy times. Hourly compensation: $17 to $25 per hour, depending on level of experience.

    To Apply
    Please email your resume and cover letter to: mwalker@pps.org and ndenatale@pps.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. We appreciate all interest, but due to the volume of applicants, we will only contact individuals who will be interviewed.

    PPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.




    Internships

    Project and Research Internships

    Project for Public Spaces accepts resumes and cover letters from interested intern applicants on an on-going basis. We are now accepting candidates for Winter/Spring 2008. If interested, please contact Nancy DeNatale at ndenatale@pps.org. Indicate the program area of interest in your letter.