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Team
Chris Gratto has over 20 years of experience in mission driven entrepreneurship, construction management, and critical infrastructure ranging from onsite energy generation to ground up construction to historic building preservation. In addition to a focus on workforce housing and historic preservation, Chris has launched multiple ventures related to training, health and wellness, and individual performance management. He has two growing kids and a wonderful wife.
William Semmes is a nationally recognized expert in sustainability, housing and veterans affairs. He grew up in Essex County New Jersey, was an officer in the United States Marines, and later served as Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of General Services where he managed the strategy and operations of state government's real estate and asset management services. Before DGS, Will was confirmed by the California State Senate as Director of the California Conservation Corps, a state agency that trains young men and women to become productive citizens through hard work in environmental restoration. Will also served as a Director of the California Performance Review. Before Will's state service in Sacramento, he was a co-founder of Acumins, an innovative nutritional product manufacturer and online retailer that he sold to Drugstore.com.
We have active volunteer and employment positions in the following areas:
Refugee Services
Fire Aid and Community training
Emergency food pantry
In-kind food donations
Design/architecture: Emergency housing
Critical Infrastructure Research: Water/Sewer – Energy – Medical
Affordable emergency services housing: police, critical infrastructure personnel, and medical staff
Current Job Postings:
Position Title: Cultural Advisor/Property Manager (Dari/Pashto Speaker)
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Department: Client Relations & Community Engagement
Reports To: Senior Management
Position Type: Temporary 6-12 Months w/ option for renewal (pending program renewal)
Job Summary:
The CULTURAL ADVISOR/PM, with fluency in Dari and/or Pashto, will play a pivotal role in our property company, enhancing our services and outreach in Dari and Pashto-speaking communities. This position is designed to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring that our property solutions meet the diverse needs of our clients. The advisor will facilitate cross-cultural communication, develop culturally sensitive marketing materials, and support our staff in understanding cultural nuances related to property management, sales, and client services.
Key Responsibilities:
- CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING: Develop and lead training sessions for staff on cultural awareness and sensitivity with a focus on Dari and Pashto-speaking cultures, enhancing our team's ability to serve these communities effectively
- LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORT: Provide language interpretation and translation services for marketing materials, contracts, and client communications. Facilitate communication between Dari and Pashto-speaking clients and our staff.
- ADVISORY AND CONSULTATION: Offer insights and advice on cultural preferences and requirements of Dari and Pashto-speaking clients in the property market, ensuring our services are respectful and appropriately tailored.
- MARKET RESEARCH: Conduct research on property market trends within Dari and Pashto-speaking communities, identifying opportunities for business growth and community engagement.
- COMMUNITY LIAISON: Act as a liaison with Dari and Pashto-speaking communities, building relationships and partnerships that enhance our company's reputation and service offerings.
- CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION: Facilitate effective communication and understanding between individuals and groups from diverse cultural backgrounds
Qualifications:
- Four year university degree in Social Work, Law, Youth Psychology, or related field preferred.
-Proven experience interfacing with veterans and military to civilian job training and transition programs.
- Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in English is also required.
- Proven experience in a role requiring cultural sensitivity and language skills, preferably in the real estate sector or property management. Experience with the Hazara ethnicity is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Knowledge of the property maintenance and the specific needs of Dari and Pashto-speaking clients is highly desirable.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and client service.
Physical Requirements and Fitness Standards:
The role of Property Manager involves a variety of tasks that require a moderate level of physical activity. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of all team members in this position, the following physical requirements apply:
Mobility: Ability to move around properties efficiently, including walking up and down stairs frequently, navigating small spaces, and conducting property inspections both indoors and outdoors.
Manual Dexterity: Must have the manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment, perform minor repairs, and handle maintenance tools as required.
Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 30 pounds, such as documents, small furniture, or equipment, for short distances.
Visual and Auditory Acuity: Must possess the visual and auditory acuity to assess properties, identify maintenance issues, and ensure the safety and well-being of tenants and visitors.
Driving: Depending on the property locations, the ability to drive between properties may be required. A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are necessary for roles requiring vehicle operation.
Stamina: Sufficient stamina to handle potential emergency situations, extended periods of standing or walking during property inspections, and the coordination of move-ins and move-outs.
Work Conditions:
- Standard office hours with regular evening, weekend and holiday requirements.
- May involve meetings with community groups, local non-profit resettlement organizations.
- Potentially being on call 24/7 for property maintenance urgencies
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, including those with disabilities. We are prepared to make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. Candidates who require specific accommodations are encouraged to discuss their needs with the hiring manager as part of the application process. We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of diverse backgrounds.
Position: Child Care Specialist
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Property Maintenance Division
Position Type: Temporary 6-12 Months w/ option for renewal (pending program renewal)
Role Summary:
We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Child Care Specialist fluent in Dari and Pashto, with a deep understanding of Hazara culture, to join our team. This role involves providing nurturing and culturally sensitive care to children of our employees and tenants, ensuring a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide daily child care services in a manner that respects the cultural, linguistic, and social traditions of Hazara families.
- Develop and implement engaging, age-appropriate activities that honor our diverse cultural backgrounds, with a focus on Dari and Pashto language learning and Hazara cultural practices.
- Communicate effectively with parents and guardians in Dari and Pashto, offering insights into their child's development and ensuring a collaborative approach to care.
- Maintain a safe and clean environment for all children, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Work closely with the property maintenance team to address any facility needs or concerns that impact the child care environment.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in child care or early childhood education.
- Fluency in Dari and Pashto; knowledge of other languages is a plus.
- Strong understanding of and respect for Hazara culture and traditions.
- Ability to plan and implement educational and culturally enriching activities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A valid child care certification or equivalent is preferred.
- Must pass a background check and have references available.
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, including those with disabilities. We are prepared to make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. Candidates who require specific accommodations are encouraged to discuss their needs with the hiring manager as part of the application process. We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of diverse backgrounds.
Position Title: Outdoor Seasonal Education Coordinator (Dari/Pashto Speaker)
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Department: Client Relations & Community Engagement
Reports To: Senior Management
Position Type: Seasonal/Temporary 6-12 Months w/ option for renewal (pending program renewal)
The Role:
As our Outdoor Seasonal Education Coordinator, you will lead the development and delivery of outdoor educational programs that cater to a diverse range of students. Your role will involve creating culturally enriching experiences that draw upon your Hazara heritage and military discipline, providing students with unique insights into teamwork, leadership, and environmental responsibility.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement outdoor educational programs that incorporate cultural teachings specific to the Hazara community, environmental science, and outdoor survival skills.
- Utilize your fluency in Dari and Pashto to communicate effectively with students, community members, and stakeholders, ensuring inclusive and engaging learning experiences.
- Draw upon your military experience to teach leadership, teamwork, and resilience, adapting these skills for a civilian and educational context.
- Coordinate with local communities, environmental organizations, and educational institutions to promote cultural understanding and environmental conservation.
- Conduct risk assessments for all outdoor activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
Qualifications:
- Fluent in Dari and Pashto languages.
- Strong connection to the Hazara community and a deep understanding of its culture and traditions.
- Previous military experience, ideally with a focus on leadership, teamwork, and outdoor skills.
- Experience in teaching, outdoor education, or a related field is highly desirable.
- Passionate about environmental conservation and cultural education.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work flexibly, including weekends and holidays, according to program needs.
Job Posting: Food Bank Manager
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Language Requirement: Fluency in English, Dari, and Pashto
Position Type: Temporary 6-12 Months w/ option for renewal (pending program renewal)
About Us:
We are a community-focused food bank in Jersey City, dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity in our community. We strive to create an inclusive environment that respects the diverse backgrounds of all individuals we serve. As part of our commitment to serving our diverse community, we are seeking a bilingual Food Bank Manager who is fluent in English, Dari, and Pashto.
Job Description:
The Food Bank Manager will oversee the daily operations of our food bank, ensuring efficient distribution of food donations to those in need. This role requires a compassionate leader who can manage a diverse team, coordinate with volunteers, and engage with community members from various cultural backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the food bank.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase the efficiency of food collection and distribution.
- Foster relationships with local businesses, donors, and community organizations to secure food donations.
- Organize and coordinate volunteer activities, including training and scheduling.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Conduct outreach to Dari and Pashto speaking communities, providing information and assistance in their native languages.
- Manage inventory and maintain records of food donations, distributions, and supplies.
- Prepare reports and analytics on food bank operations and impact.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in nonprofit management, food bank operations, small business ownership, or a similar role.
- Fluent in Dari, and Pashto, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Experience working with volunteers and diverse communities.
- Knowledge of food safety and storage regulations.
- Ability to lift and move heavy items as needed.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Compassionate and motivated by a desire to make a difference in the community.
We Offer:
- Competitive wages based on experience.
- A supportive and inclusive work environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience, why you're interested in this role, and how you can contribute to our mission.
Contact: 626-923-9845