Join Jefferson East, Inc.

JEI's team members are dedicated to community, giving their talents and expertise to support Detroit's neighborhoods and the people who make these places amazing places to live, start a business and experience life along Detroit's amazing riverfront.

Benefits
Flexible work environment
BCBS PPO Health Care, Dental and Vision
401K investment
Generous Paid Time Off

Jefferson East, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
 

 
 
 

Senior Manager of Neighborhood Resilience

About The Position 

Reporting directly to the CEO, this critical position has oversight of JEI’s suite of public safety, small business development, business district services and other key programming that improve the resiliency of the neighborhoods we serve.  This position is a crucial thought and action leader within JEI to help the organization evolve its public safety work to help neighborhoods and residents be better prepared for natural disasters. JEI’s Small Business Development & Business District services include a range of activities such as management of our Clean Ambassadors, linking small business owners into economic development resources, and business district organizing. Finally, this position will manage disaster recovery efforts within neighborhoods impacted by flooding events and develop new strategies and partnerships that build community resilience to shield against future events. Crucial for this position will be a strong partnership with the CEO and Chief Resilience Officer to develop the strategy, resources, and vision to grow this division within JEI.  This position will oversee a team of 1-2 individuals to support this work.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Small Business Services: Manage, Develop, and expand JEI’s suite of small business services including permit advocacy, operation of the CTC program (see below), safety advocacy, and managing referrals within the NEI Small Business Support Ecosystem.

Community Tech Consultant Program: Manage JEI’s team of Community Tech Consultants (CTC) to provide services to more than 150 small businesses annually.  Manage and report on JEI’s contract with the University of Michigan in relation to the CTC program and assist with program expansion into other neighborhoods.  

Small Business Resilience: Manage and implement JEI’s Business Resilience training to more than 20 businesses annually and manage JEI’s contract with the Local Initiative Support Corporation.

Attraction & Retention: Link interested tenants to local available space and landlords. Work to ensure existing tenants grow and expand in the area by addressing needs and resolving problems. Partner with key agencies to link prospective businesses to economic development resources.

PUBLIC SAFETY & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Oversight and Management of JEI’s 5th and 7th Precinct Community CompStat Process: In collaboration with Wayne State University’s Center for Urban Studies (WSUCUS) and the Detroit Police Department produce monthly CompStat meetings for the 5th and 7th precinct.  Work to boost attendance, foster collaborative interventions at identified high crime “mission spots”, and continually work to improve dialogue between law enforcement and the community. 

Public Safety Advocacy: Convey neighborhood safety concerns to DPD command staff and develop collaborative solutions that leverage both DPD and JEI Public Safety Resources. Represent JEI at vital, cross collaborative public safety initiatives such as the Downtown Safety & Security Meetings, Board of Police Commissioners, and other convening. 

Development of Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Plans: With Wayne County and other stakeholders, develop neighborhood-based disaster preparedness Plans. Jefferson Chalmers Flood Prevention Planning: Work with the University of Michigan (GLISA) to convene neighborhood residents for a series of Climate Change modelling learning sessions.  This work will be used to inform broader neighborhood engagement regarding efforts to mitigate shoreline, surface and basement flooding in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. 

Resiliency HUB: Work to position JEI’s Neighborhood Resource HUB as a Resiliency HUB and participate in relevant partners meetings/convenings.

BUSINESS DISTRICT SERVICES

Operation of Jefferson Avenue Clean Ambassador Program: Oversee and administer JEI’s contract to administer Ambassador Services along east Jefferson Avenue and other areas.  Ensure program effectiveness via weekly monitoring of conditions within the service area.  Liaise with the Ambassador team to address problem areas.  Serve as the public face of the service in interactions with stakeholders within the service area.

Business Improvement Zone Development: Develop strategies to secure resources (approx. $100,000 annually) from local stakeholders to support the operation of JEI’s Clean Ambassador Services.  Support JEI’s efforts to obtain final approval of the Rivertown Business Improvement Zone.

ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational & Fund Development Divisional Growth & Development: Work closely with the CEO to devise strategies to grow Neighborhood Resilience Division. Explore and codify new relationships that can provide contractual and expanded staffing support. 

Funder Management & Cultivation: Work closely with existing funders to articulate the progress of JEI’s programs and work to secure additional resources to expand our work. Voluntary Business Improvement District Formation: As part of business district organizing, secure contributions from local stakeholders to support JEI’s Litter Management and Safety Services. 

General Administrative 

-Perform project management activities including project planning, scheduling, budgeting and managing milestones. 

-Complete quarterly reports to funders including the New Economy Initiative, University of Michigan, City of Detroit, Wayne County and others. 

-Assist leadership team to set meaningful performance objectives and goals for clean and safe programs; create reports for the board of directors on program progress. 

-Support fund development activities including, grant writing and report development, identify potential corporate donors and small business owners to financially contribute to clean and safe programming. 

-Assist leadership team to set meaningful performance objectives and goals for clean and safe programs; create reports for the board of directors on program progress. 

-Facilitate and lead community engagement meetings; effective public speaking.

-Identify, prepare and write educational, marketing and storytelling materials to highlight programs successes and the people who support JEI.

Our Ideal Candidate 

Acts with Urgency: Follows up quickly with partners to resolve issues. Addresses instances of criminality promptly to ensure the rapid and successful resolution of the issue.

Leads by Example: Picks up loose litter and sets back up a tipped over trash can while reaching out to contractors for the long term fix.

Builds Relationships: Builds trust and easily forms relationships (can relate to corporate, community and city representatives); actively seeks information to understand Detroiter’s circumstances, problems, expectations, and needs. 

Initiative: Exhibits confidence in identifying what needs to be done, and variations or potential issues; and proactively acting on needs without direction; and take action as needed to independently accomplish tasks and assignments. You are comfortable in a high-paced entrepreneurial environment.

Exceptionally organized and attentive to detail: Demonstrates excellent organizational skills and is detail oriented by nature.

Follow-Up: Diligent in completing assignments; establish a system to follow up on projects and tasks; effectively manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently. 

Sound Judgment: Interprets and applies policies in a manner consistent with organizational mission and philosophy, ability to make reasoned decisions, even in the face of limited or conflicting information. 

Trustworthy: Maintains privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information.

Qualifications 

-Valid driver’s license, insurance and vehicle.

-Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

-You have familiarity with the City of Detroit and are knowledgeable about the East Jefferson corridor. 

-Flexible, with availability to work a weeknight and occasional Saturdays. -Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace for Nonprofits. 

-Experience with data management and analysis. 

-Knowledge of Salesforce.

-2 to 3 years’ experience in non-profit, economic development, public safety, public health or related sectors. 

Education  

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the field of public administration, public health, community development, political science, social work, urban planning or related degree. 

Compensation 

-$68,000-$70,000 (depending on qualifications) 

-Benefits include 401k Match, Healthcare, Vision, Dental, and Long-term disability 

-Flexible work environment 

-Generous paid time off

Community Tech Consultant

$45,000 ‒ $50,000 Annually

About The Position

Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI) is a Detroit-based nonprofit organization dedicated to making Detroit’s East Jefferson corridor and its neighborhoods regionally competitive and business-friendly, with equitable economic opportunities for its residents and businesses. We grow Detroit’s East Jefferson corridor and its neighborhoods through facilitative leadership, collaborative partnership, and innovative and impactful programming. We represent five distinct neighborhoods along the East Jefferson corridor.

Through a partnership with the University of Michigan’s School of Information, U-M Poverty Solutions, U-M Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project, and the U-M Center for Innovation, Jefferson East, Inc. is seeking to hire “go-to tech person in your household” to work as a Community Tech Consultant. This is a grant-funded position with possible renewal/extension beyond December 2026. The selected candidate will become part of a cohort of Community Tech Workers who hail from the East Jefferson and Livernois neighborhoods and from the University of Michigan.

The JEI Community Tech Consultant will work full-time, Monday-Friday, and also enjoy paid holidays and benefits. Community Tech Consultants are provided with a comprehensive onboarding and training process. They also receive weekly professional development and networking opportunities from a leadership team that includes economic development professionals in Detroit and an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff from the University of Michigan.

Job Description:

Detroit small businesses and entrepreneurs are key to the economic growth and employment in the city, but some face technology-related challenges that prevent them from thriving. To alleviate these challenges and help these businesses thrive, we are looking for one Detroit resident comfortable using a computer and smart phone with strong interpersonal and communication skills to join our team in providing one-on-one technology training and support to Detroit entrepreneurs.

 We are looking for individuals passionate about supporting local businesses, who have familiarity with Detroit’s east side, and who have had experience providing technical support. Whether you have provided digital or technical support to your close friends and family, or to small businesses, we would love to see your application.

 Schedule & Location

This is a full-time in-person position, working Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 pm with occasional nights or weekends for special events. Work takes place in-person at Jefferson East, Inc. Resource Hub, located at 14300 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48215 and at community partner locations including Live6 Alliance, 7426 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221.

Key Responsibilities

  • Call and email small business client prospects to schedule intake meetings & trainings for yourself and other team members;

  • Interview clients to learn more about their technology needs and develop a series of trainings to help meet their needs;

  • Conduct independent research and develop a proposed action plan for meeting the client’s technology needs, whether through JEI services or by referral to another service provider;

  • Meet with clients one-on-one to train them in how to use different technology platforms (for recurring tech issues) or simply resolve the issue for them (if one-time task);

  • Help drive a positive customer experience by building relationships, exhibiting empathy, and providing solutions to client needs;

  • Diagnose and troubleshoot products for repair;

  • Document all work performed in a project management system (like Asana); and

  • Create how-to videos and other educational materials; and

  • Assist with sales and marketing activities, through canvassing in the community, social media and formal media campaigns, and other duties as assigned.

  • Create and host workshops, sometimes alongside different organizations, presenting different platforms and skills to assist business owners

  • Public speaking for events to showcase and highlight the program to potential clients, funders, etc.

  • Previous experience using and learning about technology products;

  • Ability to build rapport and trust with small business owner clients;

  • Resourceful and ability to independently problem solve;

  • Tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty (you never know what clients will need!);

  • Excellent at documenting your work and following established workflow processes;

  • Culturally responsive communication, great interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);

  • Willingness to tackle difficult problems;

  • Patience and empathy.

  • Business website creation and ability to update items online (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress, Google maps, Yelp, etc.)

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

  • Content editing (pdf, video, graphics)

  • A general knowledge of how small businesses work and their responsibilities

  • Prior community engagement experience

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Must have a high school diploma or GED

  • Able to commit to working in-person Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with some flexible hours needed on some evenings and weekends due to special events or workshops

  • Have reliable transportation to get to Jefferson East, Inc.’s Neighborhood Resource Hub three times per week and to JEI’s partner sites, Live6 Alliance, once per week.

Qualifications and personal characteristics 

  • Previous experience using and learning about technology products;

  • Ability to build rapport and trust with small business owner clients;

  • Resourceful and ability to independently problem solve;

  • Tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty (you never know what clients will need!);

  • Excellent at documenting your work and following established workflow processes;

  • Culturally responsive communication, great interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);

  • Willingness to tackle difficult problems;

  • Patience and empathy.

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Business website creation and ability to update items online (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress, Google maps, Yelp, etc.)

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

  • Content editing (pdf, video, graphics)

  • A general knowledge of how small businesses work and their responsibilities

  • Prior community engagement experience

Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Must have a high school diploma or GED

  • Able to commit to working in-person Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with flexible hours needed on some evenings and weekends due to special events or workshops

  • Have reliable transportation to get to Jefferson East, Inc.’s Neighborhood Resource Hub three times per week and to JEI’s partner sites, Live6 Alliance, once per week.

Compensation

  • $45,000-$50,000

  • Benefits include 401K Match, Healthcare, Vision, Dental & Long-Term Disability

  • Flexible work environment

  • Generous paid time off