Role of Neighborhood Improvement Specialists (NIS)

Purpose

The primary purpose of Neighborhood Improvement Specialists (NIS) is to identify and address issues and provide follow up on these with Aldermen, citizens, neighborhood groups, block unit, police and City operating departments.  The primary objective of the NIS is to utilize problem solving skills, in partnership with the aforementioned persons and groups, to aggressively and proactively address physical and behavioral issues in their assigned area and to work as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Team to share proper problem solving tools and mechanisms with citizens.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Address issues discussed in block units, neighborhood, and ward meetings, as well as those reported through the CSB. 
2. Enter service requests with all necessary information and photos and monitor them to successful resolution.
3. Attend Neighborhood Association Meetings providing information and feedback at all meetings.
4. Physically survey the assigned area on a regular basis, focusing on overdue service requests, vacant buildings, illegal dumping, and zoning issues, just to mention a few.   
5. Respond to residents complaints made directly to the NIS or through the CSB.
6. Monitor and evaluate specifically identified problem properties.  
7. Submit service requests of unsecured vacant buildings and monitor all until secured.
8. Keep track of all vacant buildings in assigned area.
9. Monitor hearing notices, such as those regarding the Board of Adjustment, Building Appeals, and Conditional Use.
10. Remove illegal signs in right of way.
11. Recruit new block captains.
12. Recruit block party participants for the annual National Night Out.
13. In cooperation with other members of the problem properties team (police officer, attorney, and NIS), introduce potential nuisance properties, as found through research, personal observance, and Aldermanic or resident referral.
14. Update the NST Problem Property Database with all information acquired in the event of a public hearing or court case.
15. Monitor active problem properties (nuisance cases) by reviewing the monthly nuisance monitoring agenda.
16. If warranted, resolve expired, abated, and inactive problem property cases in the Problem Property Database. 
17. Post Nuisance letters, hearing notices, orders, and consent agreements and upload the photograph of said posting to the Problem Property Database.
18. Participate in special projects as assigned.