PROJECT
Located in the San Luis Valley of southcentral Colorado, a high mountain desert surrounded on 3 three sides by striking rocky mountains, Alamosa Bicycle Coalition (ABC) was initiated as a new nonprofit in 2020 by former MVS volunteers with a vision for encouraging a strong local bike culture, especially access to bikes for adults and youth not otherwise able to afford and repair their own. With high levels of poverty and unique possibilities for bicycling both as an equitable means of transportation and for recreational use. The role of the community engagement specialist is to work with the Executive Director and Board to develop, coordinate and implement culturally relevant programs, in collaboration with local community volunteers and partner organizations such as La Puente homeless prevention services, Immigrant Resource Center, Community Corrections, Boys & Girls Club, and Generation WILD. These activities may include: collecting, refurbishing and rebuilding salvaged bikes; running bike repair workshops for both adult and youth participants; promoting public policy and awareness for local bikeways and biking safety; and exploring options for related small enterprises and/or fundraising events to support free bikes and biking activities for lower-resource youth and adults. ABC currently rents workshop and storage space, and has a bike trailer equipped to bring pop-up bike repair services to community events and neighborhood locations.
PLACEMENT
A selected applicant will spear-head community engagement and organizing efforts and work to incorporate health equity, culturally relevant approaches, and equitable access to both transportation and recreation resources that ABC offers. Selected applicants will gain skills as a bicycle mechanic through work in the shop, as well as professional classes depending on availability. Selected applicants will also have the opportunity to develop nonprofit management, project development and/or grant-writing depending on interest. While much of the work can be done during normal weekday hours, flexibility will be needed for occasional activities that entail some evening and weekend events.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience working with a campus or community bike project or similar group a plus
- A passion for commuter and recreational biking at the community level
- Basic experience with bike mechanics & repair (additional training provided)
- Ability to be flexible and to coordinate work tasks at varying locations
- Enjoy relating to a diverse range of community partners and potential users
- Project development and/or community organizing and experience a plus
- Comfortable with verbal and written communications related to organizational activities
- Experience in Latino cultural settings and/or Spanish language skills a plus