Learn more about OUR OPEN positions:

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Real Estate Land Use Associate

Background:

The Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC) is a community-building organization working to increase and maintain affordable housing in the Garfield Park community on Chicago’s West Side. GPCC’s Housing and Real Estate Program currently offers housing counseling, works to reoccupy vacant homes, and owns a 40-unit affordable senior housing building. The Land Use Associate (LUA) will work closely with the Executive Director to identify housing in need of rehabilitation and improved ownership.

The LUA will help implement the goals of both community-driven and data-driven plans, as well as the recently published GPCC strategic framework. The LUA will increase GPCC’s outreach to partners, investors, and property owners, and will explore preserving existing multifamily buildings as affordable rentals.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The LUA will work with the GPCC’s Real Estate Committee to establish goals, assess organizational readiness, and conclude with a readiness memo.

The LUA will review and research GPCC housing programs, citywide initiatives, and housing market data. Meet with GPCC housing staff, the Board of Directors, and housing partners during the feasibility concept phase. Create a memo summarizing the research process, findings, and recommendations.

The LUA, Executive Director, and the Real Estate Committee will collaborate with partners to initiate development planning. This will involve assessing market conditions based on the work already completed by DePaul’s Institute of Housing Studies.

The LUA will create a memo summarizing the due diligence approach, the analysis findings, and a recommendation to be presented to GPCC’s Board of Directors. This memo will also include a financial model outlining the need for gap financing and potential capital sources.

The LUA will identify potential buildings for acquisition. A running list will be updated, and the assembly and acquisition process will ramp up. Title searches, development teams, and financing options will be developed during this time. Identify and evaluate available rental properties, creating lists of opportunities by talking with real estate brokers, local property owners, local lenders, and local development teams. The LUA will develop an initial project proposal.

The LUA will update the current financial model and work on the organizational readiness issues outlined in the project proposal. Capital stack planning starts.

During the predevelopment phase, the LUA will help support the formation of a governance board. The board will include the GPCC Board, staff, counsel, a possible development partner, and residents from GPCC’s land-use committee.

The LUA will lead the economic model, assumptions, gap financing needs, fundraising materials, and create a tracker of potential sources of capital in preparation for grant, public, impact investor, and potential equity investor applications.

GPCC staff, board, and partners will support the predevelopment phase, including building support for the affordable rental project.

During the development phase, the LUA will contribute to the creation of the project design, schedule, and budget. Help the development team identify operating partners for property management and maintenance.  Financing, acquisition, and rehab will become the primary focus, but only after a site(s) has been identified.

The LAU will help with closing, construction, management, and operations reports, final funding, conversion to permanent financing, lease-up, and monitoring requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience in real estate development, development finance, or community development required; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred.

Demonstrated interest in mission-driven real estate development, affordable housing, and/or community economic development.

Strong quantitative, financial analysis, and Excel modeling skills are preferred.

Must have excellent analytical skills, be detail-oriented, have good business sense, be able to work on numerous workstreams concurrently, and be a self-starter.

Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills required.

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other relevant software.

Travel is required to prospective developments and community meetings.

Position Classification and Salary Hourly:

$60,000 - $75,000. Full-Time, Exempt.

Benefits:

Medical, Company Paid

401(K) retirement savings plans

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to admin@gpcommunitycouncil.org

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Summer Associate

The Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC) is currently seeking Summer Garden and Market Associates for the 2026 Season. 

GPCC is a community-building organization made up of dedicated residents and allies working together to develop leaders and create opportunities and programs to contribute to a vital Garfield Park community. The Wellness Initiative aims to increase the health and wellness of Garfield Park residents, through the core offerings of the Garfield Park Garden Network and the Garfield Park Neighborhood Market, as well as the Youth Garden Corps.

An ideal candidate for this position is someone who is a swift learner capable of multitasking. This person needs to be able to work well with others, as well as with a diverse group of people including Garfield Park residents and organization staff. Experience with urban agriculture, social entrepreneurship, youth programming, or community development is preferred but not required. Garfield Park is a primarily and historically African American community, and GPCC seeks candidates who display a commitment to racial equity and inclusion.

Member Duties

Member duties include working with gardeners, food businesses, and GPCC staff to grow and sell hyperlocal produce in the Garfield Park community. Associates will support the work of the Garfield Park Garden Network and Garfield Park Neighborhood Market to improve garden spaces, harvest, and sell produce, working alongside staff members, Youth Corp members, and volunteers.

Associates will work the market, pop-up events and staff the mobile produce cart. Members will work alongside local teen interns through the Youth Garden Corps and serve as role models for the program. 

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older, college students preferred
• Ability to commit to working throughout the season, up to 30 hours per week

Duties and Expectations

• Support the Garfield Park Garden Network to maintain gardens, including harvest, composting and processing of produce for the Neighborhood Market 50%
• Support record-keeping and provide some administrative support, contribute to marketing and outreach materials 10%
• Help lead the Youth Garden Corps – up to ten local teens, who work in the Garfield Park gardens, to gain horticulture, job readiness, and customer service skills 25%
• Staff the Garfield Park Neighborhood market (2 Saturdays a month), as well as pop-up events 15%

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift 25 - 50 pounds
• Must be able to work outside, in a variety of weather conditions including heat, rain, wind, etc.
• The ability to use tools and equipment - training will be provided
• The physical ability to squat, kneel, crouch, and stand for extended periods of time

This is currently a seasonal, 30-hour-per-week contract temporary position, with pay of $20.00 per hour. The terms of employment are project-based and the position is expected to conclude by August 2026.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to phyllis@gpcommunitycouncil.org.  Related references will be required. No phone calls, please. 

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Urban Transportation Intern

The Urban Transportation Intern will advocate for infrastructure improvements and work directly with government departments, civil engineers working on projects in Garfield Park, citywide partners, and local residents. Duties include analyzing data, reviewing traffic/safety studies, and performing community outreach. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Planning & Research: Attend governmental and partner meetings focused on local infrastructure improvements.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Based on those meetings, reports, and studies, collect data and analysis for local impact.
• Community Engagement: Developing materials for public meetings and assisting with community outreach efforts.
• Report Writing: Create high-level reports summarizing key findings and pinpointing issues to engage local stakeholders
• Technical Support: Utilizing software to create maps and analyze transportation data.

Common Qualifications

• Education: Currently pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Graduate degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Transportation, or Public Policy.
• Skills: Data analysis tools, and strong written/verbal communication skills.
• Experience: Familiarity with transportation principles 

Typical Work Environment & Schedule

• Hours: Positions part-time during the school year (approx. 8 hours/week) 
• Settings: Remote, virtual meetings combined with field observations

Compensation: unpaid

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Climate Resilient Intern

The Climate Resilient Intern supports local projects helping Garfield Park communities and ecosystems adapt to climate change through program implementation and community outreach. Responsibilities include supporting two nature-based solutions, the eco orchard and the nature play site. In addition, help organize educational workshops. The intern will collaborate with GPCC staff, partners, and residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Data Analysis: Support the analysis of environmental data (water infiltration, fruit and nut trees) at both the eco orchard and nature play sites.
• Project Support: Support nature-based solution projects by helping GPCC and partners achieve deliverables and assisting with reporting.
• Community Engagement: Help develop materials for community members, assist with workshops and meetings.

Qualifications

• Education: Current undergraduate/graduate student or recent graduate in environmental science, policy, urban planning, or related fields.
• Skills: Strong research, writing, and communication.
• Abilities: Ability to work independently, manage projects, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Physical/Logistical: Positions may require the ability to lift up to 25-50 lbs for fieldwork.

Typical Work Environment & Schedule

• Hours: Positions part-time during the school year (approx. 8 hours/week) 
• Settings: Remote, virtual meetings combined with field work at the orchard and nature play site

Compensation: unpaid

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Garfield Park Community Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Volunteer

Volunteer with the Garfield Park Community Council

_{Now more than ever, we need community-led programs that support emergency responses and build long-term resilience. Your contribution as a volunteer will help us make our work possible. After you fill out this form, we will be in contact with you about relevant volunteer opportunities and next steps!}

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