Job Opening! Bicycling Ambassadors!

It's that time of the year when we start thinking about hiring for the Bicycling Ambassadors.  Please feel free to ask any questions about the job here, or email me and I'll get back to you ASAP.

 

VERY IMPORTANT! I cannot possibly contact every candidate that sends an application in, so I ONLY contact those who will be getting interviews.  There are a lot of great folks out there, but I receive 80+ applications every year, so it's not possible to get back to everyone.

 

Thanks!

 

JOB DESCRIPTION: BICYCLING AMBASSADOR

 

START DATE: May 2, 2011

LENGTH OF JOB: Through September 4, 2011 (with the possibility of extension through the end of October)

COMPENSATION: $10-$13 per hour, approximately 35 hours/week.

 

PURPOSE AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Active Transportation Alliance, a non-profit advocacy group, manages a city-funded education and encouragement program called the City of Chicago’s Bicycling Ambassadors. The Bicycling Ambassadors teach motorists and bicyclists to better share city streets. They do this by speaking face-to-face to members of the public. Teams of Ambassadors deliver bicycling expertise personally in demonstrations and conversations in public places, at community events and to children at summer day camps.

 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Bicycling Ambassadors report to the Program Manager. The Bicycling Ambassador will also:

-      Work 35 to 40 hours per week.

-      Work with a team of 2-4 Bicycling Ambassadors at outreach events.

-      Work outdoors and indoors on any day of the week, and with occasional evening hours.

-      Travel directly from home to work sites, by bicycle and public transit. Work sites will include street festivals, shopping and commercial areas, public parks, and schools throughout Chicago.

-     Successfully complete a five- to ten-day training course that covers bicycle handling, bicycling and traffic safety, media relations, and conflict resolution (provided by the program).

-     While on duty, wear an Ambassador uniform provided by the program.

-      Wear a bicycling helmet while bicycling and during presentations.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Bicycling Ambassadors will have these duties:

§      For six weeks during mid-season, supervise three or four Junior Ambassadors (trained high school students who work with the Bicycling Ambassadors).

§      Describe how to bicycle safely in traffic (to adults and children) and on sidewalks (to children).

§      Describe to motorists how to drive safely alongside bicyclists in traffic.

§      Promote safe road sharing to bicyclists and motorists at publicity events.

§      Provide, both orally and in literature form, bicycling information at street festivals, shopping and commercial areas, public parks, and schools throughout Chicago.

-      Give classes, demonstrations, and presentations in formal and informal settings.

-      Bicycle to, from, and at events and presentations.

-      Work with community groups, aldermanic staff, teachers, police officers, business associations, volunteers, sponsors, and other city organizations.

-      Speak to newspaper, radio, and TV reporters about bicycling.

-      Evaluate (in written reports) presentations given and events attended.

-      Market the program to event organizers.

-      Assist with program administrative tasks as necessary.

 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate should have the following qualifications:

-     Can communicate effectively with people of all ages, abilities, cultural groups, economic statuses, sexual orientations, and disabilities.

-     Speaks in a friendly, concise, and accurate manner.

-      Very experienced in bicycling in urban traffic.

-      Owns a bicycle in good working condition, and an approved bicycling helmet.

-      Physically fit and able to work outdoors all day and in any weather.

-      Comfortable speaking with strangers.

-      Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.

-      Works well in an unstructured and informal environment, with limited supervision.

-      Works well in a team, and fosters team spirit.

-      Good at solving problems, thinking creatively, and self-motivation.

-      Prompt and punctual.

-      Can pass a background check in order to work with children.

-      Must live in the City of Chicago.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

We prefer candidates with these qualifications:

-      Fluency in a language other than English, especially Spanish.

-      Experience teaching bicycling safety.

-      Experiencing speaking to or writing for news media.

-      Experience working with or supervising teenagers.

-      Familiarity with the city of Chicago and its layout.

 

BICYCLING TEST

We require candidates selected for interview to successfully complete a bicycling road test prior to the interview. Candidates must bring their own bicycles and helmets.

 

INFO SESSION

More information can be found online at www.bicyclingambassadors.org. All interested applicants are also invited to attend an information session regarding the position on Friday, March 11, 2011, at 4pm. 30 N. LaSalle, 2^nd Floor. Email charlie.short@cityofchicago.org to RSVP.

 

APPLICATIONS

Candidates should write a cover letter explaining why they consider themselves suited for the job, and résumé of qualifications and relevant experience. Provide to:

 

Charlie Short

Mayor Daley’s Bicycling Ambassadors

Chicago Department of Transportation

30 North LaSalle, Suite 500

Chicago IL 60602

phone 312/744-8147    fax 312/742-2422

charlie.short@cityofchicago.org

 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 3/18/11, 5 pm.

We thank all applicants; we will contact only those selected for interviews.