Liam Kirst
Syracuse
Summary
A focus on public relations, urban planning, outreach and public affairs. I enjoy utilizing relationships, communications, writing, grants and data to make a difference. CNY 40 under 40.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Foundation Administrator
Syracuse City School District Educational Foundation
07.2023 - Current
- One of two individuals charged with leading and growing the foundation, with a particular focus on communications, event planning, fundraising and outreach
Community Engagement Coordinator
Home HeadQuarters, Inc.
11.2022 - 04.2024
- Supporting strategic investment and housing planning
- Engaging partners at municipal agencies and non-profits on collaborative efforts
- Supporting communications work of the Director of Communications and Marketing
- Organizing the Annual Block Blitz event, a 300-person volunteer event that results in home improvements on over 50 properties in one neighborhood, at no cost to the property owner
- Neighborhood planning and neighbor/stakeholder engagement
- Event coordination and planning
Legislative Aide
New York State Senate
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Intragovernmental communication on grant management
- Drafting speeches and proclamations; assisting the Communications Director as needed
- Conducting community outreach; meet with advocacy groups and constituents to help determine legislative priorities
- Organizing awards/events
- Legislative research; assisting the Legislative Director in the bill drafting process
Planner
City of Syracuse
04.2018 - 01.2021
- Neighborhood and city planning
- Engaging the public and utilizing data in a continued effort to address vacancy and to better understand the impact of blighted and vacant structures throughout the city
- Tasks include:
- Using GIS to prepare maps for planning purposes and at the request of neighborhood associations or residents
- Serving on the City's Emergency Human Needs Team
- Foreclosure prevention; supporting colleagues in proactive outreach to current homeowners
- Serving as the Eastside Planner in the newly implemented Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative
- Facilitating the Vacant Property Taskforce, a interdepartmental body whose purpose is to strategically address properties of concern by utilizing methods such as outreach, Code Enforcement and legal action
- Managing Blight Busting projects; identifying properties, communicating with contractors and measuring impact
- Attending and planning community meetings in order to identify properties of greatest concern to those who live closest to it
- Collaborating with the Greater Syracuse Land Bank and other partners in an effort to return vacant properties back into productive use
Community Outreach Coordinator (Greater Syracuse Land Bank)
AmeriCorps
10.2016 - 10.2017
- Community Outreach Coordinator at the Greater Syracuse Land Bank
- Attended community meetings in order to better understand the needs of the community, preformed administrative tasks and developed the Vacant Mural Project in an effort to brighten blight, shedding light on the issue of residential vacancy
Sports Clerk
Advance Media New York
08.2011 - 08.2016
- Via emails and phone conversations with coaches, I retrieved rosters, schedules and statistics of high school sports teams, which I then entered into the system to be included in the paper and online press
- The position sometimes required small write-ups on local games
Education
Bachelor's degree - Political Science and Government
Syracuse University
05.2020
Skills
- Speech Writing
- GIS Mapping
- Event Planning
- Public Relations
- Engagement
- Grant Management
Timeline
Foundation Administrator
Syracuse City School District Educational Foundation
07.2023 - Current
Community Engagement Coordinator
Home HeadQuarters, Inc.
11.2022 - 04.2024
Legislative Aide
New York State Senate
01.2021 - 01.2022
Planner
City of Syracuse
04.2018 - 01.2021
Community Outreach Coordinator (Greater Syracuse Land Bank)
AmeriCorps
10.2016 - 10.2017
Sports Clerk
Advance Media New York
08.2011 - 08.2016
Bachelor's degree - Political Science and Government
Syracuse University
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