Research Assistant

Position Title: PART Research Assistant
Reporting To: Zane Hornbeck-Buseman, Program Officer
Position Type: Part Time, Temporary
Duration: September 16, 2024 to April 16, 2025; winter break from December 16 to January 15
Rate of Pay: $1000 monthly stipend; $6000 total pay

Background:

The Organization: West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation (WVLSC)
The West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation (WVLSC) is a statewide nonprofit organization
established by the West Virginia Legislature to address the issue of abandoned, dilapidated,
and environmentally compromised properties across the state. The WVLSC is committed to the
revitalization of these properties to promote safer, healthier, and more vibrant communities. By
leveraging data and technology, WVLSC aims to streamline and enhance the processes of
property reclamation and land reuse, thereby fostering economic development and
environmental stewardship throughout West Virginia.

The PART Tool: Property Abandonment Reclamation Tool
The Property Abandonment Reclamation Tool (PART) is a cutting-edge GIS and data tool
developed in collaboration with Tolemi and the Abandoned Properties Coalition’s Land Reuse
Team. Designed specifically with land reuse professionals in mind, PART provides streamlined
access to comprehensive information on property ownership, assessment, tax abandonment,
and more. The primary objective of PART is to aid land reuse professionals, as well as
municipal and county officials, in the efficient identification and tracking of problem properties,
ultimately contributing to the effective management and revitalization of abandoned and
distressed properties.

The Position: Research Assistant
The research assistant position is integral to the expansion and enhancement of the data within
PART, thereby increasing its overall impact. The primary goal of this role is to support the
collection, digitization, and integration of county assessors’ data and statewide Brownfield data
into PART. By doing so, the research assistant will play a crucial role in ensuring that the tool
remains a valuable resource for land reuse professionals and officials across West Virginia. The
successful execution of this role will contribute to more efficient property management and the
successful reclamation of abandoned and environmentally compromised properties throughout
the state.

Objectives:

Objective 1: County Assessors’ Data
Tasks:

1. Outreach:
   • Contact each county assessor’s office using the provided script.
   • Utilize talking points to highlight the benefits of pooled and digitized state data
     and the county-level utility of PART.
2. Data Collection:
   • Secure access to the necessary data for digitization and integration with PART.
   • Collect and organize paper data from county assessors’ offices for digitization.
3. Data Entry:
   • Input the assembled data into spreadsheets for the Tolemi team.
   • Ensure accuracy and completeness of data entries.

Deliverables:
● A comprehensive list of all contacted county assessor offices with notes on each
interaction.
● Collected paper data ready for digitization.
● Completed and accurate spreadsheets of digitized data.

Objective 2: Brownfield Data

Tasks:
1. Data Location:

1. • Locate statewide Brownfield data from various sources, starting with the provided Brownfields Assistance Centers’ contacts.

2. Data Organization:

• • Ensure the data is correctly formatted and ready for integration.
  • Identify any gaps or inconsistencies in the data and flag them for review.

Deliverables:

• A well-organized and comprehensive dataset of statewide Brownfield data.
• A report detailing the sources of the data and any organizational steps taken.

General Responsibilities:

• Maintain regular communication with the supervisor, providing updates on progress and
  any challenges faced.
• Attend scheduled meetings and participate in discussions regarding project progress
  and strategy.
• Collaborate with other team members and organizational partners to ensure the
  integration and digitization process runs smoothly.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Proficiency in data entry and familiarity with spreadsheet software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data handling.
• Experience in conducting outreach and handling administrative tasks.

Resources Provided:

• Contact list of county assessor offices.
• Script and talking points for outreach.
• Spreadsheet templates for data entry.
• Access to necessary databases and tools for locating Brownfield data.

Work Environment:

• This is a hybrid position with offices located in Fairmont, WV.
• For the right candidate, fully remote work may be permissible, but regular check-ins and
  updates are expected.
• The minimum expectation for working weeks is 20 hours.

Contact and Application Information:

• Please send a resume and cover letter to Executive Director Taylor Bennet at
  [email protected] no later than August 31, 2024
• Interviews will be held virtually the first week of September