NCSG seeking to hire 3 Masters level GAs for Fall 2021

The National Center for Smart Growth, a research center based in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, is hiring three Masters level graduate assistants this coming academic year. Applications are being accepted now. Please see each of the job descriptions and requirements for application below.

Data Analyst/GIS Analyst GA

The National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG) seeks a full-time (20 hour) graduate assistant (GA) for academic year 2021-2022. The GA will support research and grant deliverable projects primarily for the NCSG’s efforts to develop a more equitable Purple Line Corridor. The GA will support the Purple Line Corridor Coalition in that work, and will report to NCSG Executive Director Gerrit Knaap and Associate Director Nick Finio. Projects will include but not be limited to: downloading and mapping economic and social data from the census and other sources, writing literature reviews, producing powerpoints and other communications documents, analyzing data, note taking at meetings, and more. The ideal candidate for this position will be either a first or second year Master’s degree student in community planning, public policy, economics, geography, or a related field. The candidate should be comfortable with data analysis in excel, have work or research experience with GIS software, and have good communication skills. The graduate assistant will receive a stipend, benefits, and 10 hours of tuition remission will be covered per semester. Please send a resume, a cover letter, and two references to nfinio@umd.edu.

 

Community Development GA

The Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC), housed at the National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG), seeks a full-time (20 hour) graduate assistant (GA) for fall semester 2021. The GA will provide communications, research, operational, and administrative support for the PLCC’s efforts to develop a more equitable Purple Line transit corridor. The GA will report to PLCC Director Sheila Somashekhar and PLCC Housing Development Consultant Vonnette Harris. Projects will include but not be limited to: supporting PLCC’s community mobilization efforts via social media and web updates, supporting events and meeting management, supporting research and community engagement related to PLCC’s affordable housing goals, and more. The ideal candidate for this position will be either a first or second year Master’s degree student in community planning, public policy, real estate, or a related field. The candidate should be comfortable with social media platforms, have strong writing and oral communication skills, be organized and detail oriented, and have an interest in affordable housing, community development, and equity issues. Experience with event planning a plus. The graduate assistant will receive a stipend, benefits, and 10 hours of tuition remission will be covered per semester. Please send a resume, a cover letter, a writing sample, and two references to ssomashe@umd.edu.

 

PALS GA

The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), housed at the National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG), seeks a full-time (20 hour) graduate assistant (GA) for fall semester 2021.  The GA will report to PALS Director Kim Fisher. PALS is a low-cost assistance program that leverages University of Maryland (UMD) graduate and undergraduate students to produce “real world” solutions for local governments. PALS program accomplishes this by working with counties and municipalities across Maryland – to solve sustainability challenges on projects ranging from turf management, succession planning, to storm water management projects. Graduate assistants guide specific classes/projects each semester.  For each class/project the graduate assistants:

• Collect all administrative forms and data
• Support the faculty, project manager, and students throughout the semester. This includes reserving transportation, processing expenses, and keeping up to date on the project status.
• Collect the final products and move them through the editing/posting process.
• When possible, attend and photograph the class events.

In addition to the course responsibilities, the graduate assistants will be asked to work on long term program-related projects such as website improvements, marketing documents, and improvements to program resources. The work schedule will be established at the beginning of each semester.  The schedule will be set to accommodate the graduate assistant class schedules and days on campus. GAs will occasionally participate in site visits, presentations and program meetings in the evening or outside of regularly scheduled hours – regular work hours will be adjusted to compensate for those extra hours. Please send a resume, a cover letter, a writing sample, and two references to kmfisher@umd.edu.