Call for SC2 Fellowship Program Applicants

To: Community Partners

We would like to announce an opportunity for mid-career professionals to support the SC2 initiative in Fresno. Please share this information with those who may be interested in applying by the March 30 deadline.

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), in cooperation with Cleveland State University (CSU) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) have launched the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Fellowship Program.

The fellowship program, supported by a gift from the Rockefeller Foundation, is one component of the StrongCities, Strong Communities (SC2) program,which is a federal interagency pilot initiative that aims to strengthen neighborhoods, cities, and regions by enhancing the capacity of local governments to develop and implement economic visions and strategies.

The fellowship program will place highly motivated, mid-career professionals in local government agencies for a two-year (24 month) fellowship period.

Fellows will be placed in seven pilot cities: Chester, PA; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; New Orleans,LA; Cleveland, OH and Youngstown, OH.

Fellows will receive annual stipends in the amount of $60,000 to support fellowship activities. Travel and training costs related to the fellowship program also will be covered. Fellows will begin work on or before September 1, 2012.

Fellowships are open to U.S. practitioners who have experience and expertise in economic development, public administration,community development, planning, housing, education, public finance, health, transportation, or other relevant fields, subject to the needs of each pilot city.

Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will work on specific projects and will receive additional training and other support from GMF, CSU, and VT. Specifically, fellows will participate in the nationally renowned public management training academy provided by CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and will benefit from participating in periodic webinars and other professional development activities.

Fellows will also receive ongoing mentoring and support from experienced practitioners and scholars within the Levin College of Urban Affairs and Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute, and will be connected to additional professional training opportunities through these institutions.

Finally, fellows will have access to the German Marshall Fund’s international practitioner networks and exchange activities,including the Transatlantic Cities Network and the Cities in Transition project.

Application ProcessTo apply, complete and submit the application materials:

SC2 Fellowship Application Materials
Full details on the program may be found here: http://www.huduser.org/portal/fellowship/placepilot.html

Finalists will be interviewed in person by the GMF project team, representatives from the cities, and members of the federal SC2 teams.

DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 3012

All required documents including answers to ALL questions, official transcripts and letter of recommendation must be received by the March 30, 2012 to be considered for the fellowship program.

Please send all documents or inquiries to:
strongcommunities@gmfus.org
or
Strong Communities Fellowship Program
c/o The German Marshall Fund of the United States
1744 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Photo of Fresno courtesy of City of Fresno