Community Coordinator - job 1 of 4

As a Community Coordinator at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), you will be responsible for facilitating communication between providers and communities regarding procurements. This role involves processing contracts for services, drafting solicitation specifications, conducting training sessions, and ensuring compliance with procurement rules and guidelines. Overall, your aim will be to help the agency meet its goals while supporting the community.

To qualify for the Community Coordinator position at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, candidates must have either a bachelor's degree and two years of relevant community work experience or a high school diploma with six years of similar experience. At a minimum, candidates should possess at least one year of experience in community-related work to be considered for this role.

The Community Coordinator at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development conducts training sessions for various stakeholders, including providers and community members, to educate them on the City's contracting and procurement processes. This training ensures that community partners understand how to navigate the system for effective collaboration and resource allocation.

The Community Coordinator plays a vital role in helping the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development achieve its objectives by ensuring that procurements and contracts are processed accurately and timely. By facilitating strong communication between DYCD and community providers and ensuring compliance with funding stream rules, the Community Coordinator helps to alleviate poverty and enhance opportunities for New Yorkers.

Key responsibilities of a Community Coordinator at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development include processing contracts for services, drafting solicitation specifications, consulting with various DYCD units, maintaining procurement reports, and conducting community training sessions. The role is essential in ensuring that all procurement methods align with DYCD’s guidelines and help the department meet its goals.

In answering this question, highlight your passion for community service and how the mission of DYCD aligns with your values. Discuss specific experiences that motivated you to contribute to community development and the importance of supporting organizations that alleviate poverty.

When responding, provide details about any previous roles where you handled procurement processes. Discuss any specific systems you used, how you ensured compliance, and challenges you faced, along with how you overcame them to process procurements successfully.

Discuss your approach to training by focusing on clear communication and the importance of tailored sessions that meet the specific needs of different stakeholders. Mention examples from past experiences where you effectively trained individuals on complex processes.

Outline the steps you would take to ensure accurate and up-to-date procurement reports, highlighting organization, attention to detail, and use of technology or tools that help track progress. Share any past experiences where you successfully maintained records.

Describe your time management skills and techniques, such as prioritization, use of digital tools, or delegating tasks when necessary. Provide an example of a time you successfully juggled multiple priorities and still met deadlines.

Choose a relevant experience to discuss collaboration. Explain how you engaged stakeholders, what role you played, and the outcome of that collaboration. Focus on communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.

Discuss your understanding of procurement rules and regulations. Illustrate your commitment to compliance by sharing steps you take to stay informed about changing policies and how you incorporate them into your processes.

Share your insights on current challenges, such as resource allocation, community engagement, and adapting to changing legislation. Discuss how you believe the role of a Community Coordinator can help to overcome these challenges.

Highlight your conflict-resolution strategies. Explain the importance of listening, empathy, and finding common ground when addressing disagreements, and provide an example of a past conflict you resolved successfully.

Discuss the methods you use to assess and understand community needs, such as surveys, engaging in dialogues with stakeholders, and analyzing data. Mention any specific successes in identifying community needs and implementing programs to address them.