All Things Urban

Hester Street is an urban planning, design and development nonprofit working to ensure that neighborhoods are shaped by the people who live in them. We offer technical and capacity-building assistance to community-based organizations, private firms and government agencies on land use processes, neighborhood planning and design, and public and private community development projects. We strive for more vibrant, equitable, sustainable and resilient neighborhoods.

Hester Street (HST) seeks graduate students in urban planning, architecture or a related field to join the inaugural cohort of the Jim Diego Fellowship program. Named for the late Jim Diego – beloved HST alumnus and tireless social justice advocate – this new fellowship at HST will foster the next generation of leaders in urban planning, design, and community development. The Jim Diego Fellowship will provide students of color, LGBTQIA+, women, and other underrepresented voices in architecture, urban planning, and design with hands-on experience working on HST’s innovative projects, as well as leadership development and mentorship opportunities with HST’s diverse staff and partners. Preference will be given to students enrolled in public colleges and universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Throughout his career, Jim Diego was known for his ability to make connections, build relationships to support his colleagues, and promote the growth and vitality of the community development field. To honor this legacy, HST has designed an immersive fellowship program. Jim Diego Fellows will join interdisciplinary teams working on projects that range from neighborhood-based development projects to City-wide planning and policy initiatives. In addition to working on project teams, Jim Diego Fellows will have access to professional development through panel discussions with HST staff on topics of their choosing and convenings to share reflections and lessons-learned throughout their fellowship experience. Jim Diego Fellows will meet regularly with designated HST mentors whose professional expertise matches fellows’ career goals and interests. Fellows will also participate in site visits and other professional development opportunities, gaining exposure to HST’s diverse range of partners, including government agencies, community-based organizations, and our peer design and planning firms.

The Jim Diego Fellowship program’s main objectives are to expose students to the pursuit of careers in the fields of urban planning, community development, and public engagement through a racial equity and justice lens; to introduce them to the multi-disciplinary work at Hester Street; and to offer practical, hands-on opportunities to work with a mentor and a team of professionals on community-based projects and initiatives. Jim Diego Fellows will be expected to: - Complete tasks in which the fellow assumes ownership for a mutually agreed-upon scope of work, under direct supervision of project leads - Meet regularly with experienced staff who will serve as advisors and mentors - Collaborate and network with HST staff in a work environment setting HST staff will work with each fellow to craft a set of responsibilities that support HST’s projects and align with each fellow’s independent work or research interests. Fellowship responsibilities may include the following: - Precedent and content research at the local, regional and global levels to inform project development for a particular site, neighborhood, city, or region; - Development and design of project outreach and user-friendly, creative engagement materials and tools; - Assistance with the preparation and implementation of community engagement workshops, focus groups, community partner meetings and events; - Data analysis, mapping and documentation of community visioning and engagement workshops; - Other tasks as necessary.

- Current graduate student in architecture, urban planning, or related field. Preference for those enrolled in public colleges and universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). - Ability to commute to HST’s office in New York City - Identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA+, woman, and/or other underrepresented voice in architecture, urban planning, design or related field - Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines - Creative problem solving - Experience with planning; engagement and facilitation; stakeholder management and organizing; mapping + GIS skills; data + research, or any combination of these skills - Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, other Adobe Creative Suite programs, SketchUp, AutoCAD or ArcGIS/QGIS is helpful but not required - Strong interest in community-driven planning and equitable development, architecture, environment and/or community development preferred but not required - Familiarity with and experience working in low-income communities, immigrant and other communities of color and/or with community-based organizations preferred - Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Fellows will work within a hybrid schedule of remote/in-person office hours. They will be expected to attend in-person meetings and public engagements as needed, including events that may take place on nights and weekends. Fellows should be comfortable working with diverse communities and populations throughout all five boroughs of New York City. Fellows will be paid $24 per hour and will be expected to work an average of 30 hours per week for 10 weeks starting June 5th, 2023 and ending August 11th, 2023.

Unfortunately, it seems like this job is not available for international candidates. Unless you’re eligible for a work visa otherwise, please double-check with the company.