Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI) is a Detroit-based nonprofit organization dedicated to making Detroit’s East Jefferson corridor and its neighborhoods regionally competitive and business-friendly, with equitable economic opportunities for its residents and businesses. We grow Detroit’s East Jefferson corridor and its neighborhoods through facilitative leadership, collaborative partnership, and innovative and impactful programming. We represent five distinct neighborhoods along the East Jefferson corridor. 

Through a partnership with the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, School of Information, Poverty Solutions, and the Center on Finance, Law & Policy, Jefferson East, Inc. is seeking a tech-savvy person to work as Community Tech Worker, beginning immediately and continuing through December 31, 2023. This is a grant-funded position with possible renewal/extension beyond December 2023. The selected candidate will become part of a cohort of six Community Tech Workers who hail from the East Jefferson neighborhoods and from the University of Michigan. 

JEI community tech workers work full-time, Monday-Friday, from 9-5, and also enjoy paid holidays. Community Tech Workers are provided with a comprehensive onboarding and training process. They also receive weekly professional development and networking opportunities from a leadership team that includes JEI professional staff and an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff from the University of Michigan. 

Job Description

Detroit small businesses and entrepreneurs are key to the economic growth and employment in the city, but some face technology-related challenges that prevent them from thriving. To alleviate these challenges and help these businesses thrive, we are looking for one tech-savvy Detroit resident to join our team in providing one-on-one technology training and support to Detroit entrepreneurs. 

We are looking for individuals passionate about supporting local businesses, who have familiarity with Detroit’s east side, and who have had experience providing technical support. Whether you have provided digital or technical support to your close friends and family, or to small businesses, we would love to see your application.

Schedule & Location

This is a full-time position, working Monday-Friday from 9-5 pm. Work takes place in-person at Jefferson East, Inc. Resource Hub, located at 14300 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48215.

Job Responsibilities

• Call and email small business client prospects to schedule intake meetings & trainings for yourself and other team members;

• Interview clients to learn more about their technology needs and develop a series of trainings to help meet their needs;

• Conduct independent research and develop a proposed action plan for meeting the client’s technology needs, whether through JEI services or by referral to another service provider;

• Meet with clients one-on-one to train them in how to use different technology platforms (for recurring tech issues) or simply resolve the issue for them (if one-time task);

• Help drive a positive customer experience by building relationships, exhibiting empathy, and providing solutions to client needs;

• Diagnose and troubleshoot products for repair;

• Document all work performed in project management system (Asana); and 

• Create how-to videos and other educational materials; and

• Assist with sales and marketing activities, through canvassing in the community, social media and formal media campaigns, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Personal Characteristics

• Previous experience actively using and learning about technology products;

• Tolerance to ambiguity and uncertainty;

• Comfortable in a startup environment;

• Good teamwork and organizational skills, attention to detail, and strong work ethic;

• Great interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);

• Willingness to tackle difficult problems;

• Patience and empathy;

• Ability to build rapport and trust;

• Resourceful;

• Flexible with critical and creative thinking skills.

Preferred Qualification

• Business website creation and ability to update items online (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress, Google maps, Yelp, etc.)

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Content editing (pdf, video, graphics)

Eligibility

• Business website creation and ability to update items online (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress, Google maps, Yelp, etc.)

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Content editing (pdf, video, graphics)

Compensation

$17/hour + paid holidays

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to the attention of Lutalo Sanifu. In the cover letter, please elaborate on why you would be a good fit for this position and share any relevant experience you have had. Our goal is to hire someone before December 1. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.