Application & Selection Process

PLEASE NOTE:

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2011-2013 Fellowship.

Qualifications and Application Requirements

Academic:
- Graduate degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy or Administration, Business, or Law, preferred
- Post-graduate and mid-career applicants welcomed
- Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree completed, plus 5 years of relevant experience
Work experience in real estate, community, economic or business development, or in fields related to urban revitalization preferred
Applicants will be evaluated based on their scholastic achievements, oral and written communication skills, analytic skills, campus and community service involvement, political awareness, leadership potential, and work experience.
Efforts will be made to recruit a national pool of qualified applicants. Young professionals living in the region and Detroiters who wish to return to the city and help make a difference are encouraged to apply.
Non-US citizens must show authorization to work in U.S.

We are using an online application form, and all materials except your official transcript must be provided along with the online form Detroit Revitalization Fellow Application. All required information and materials must be provided by April 15, 2011.Please note: We are no longer accepting applications for the 2011-2013 Fellowship.

Three Stage Selection Process and Timeline

During the first stage, completed applications are screened by the fellowship selection committee. The selection committee includes program staff, Wayne State University faculty, and practitioners. Promising applicants will be contacted in April and scheduled to participate in a personal interview to be conducted via phone or video conference. Based on these interviews and a review of the written application, a strong group of finalists will be selected and advanced to the second stage of the process. The deliberations of the selection committee are confidential and final. All applications become property of the program.

During the second stage, Finalists will proceed to job interviews with potential employers. It is expected that employers will have preferences about interviewing certain Finalists based on the needs of the organization and candidate qualifications and interests. Likewise, Finalists are expected to have preferences for certain job settings and roles. Thus, there will be an opportunity created for an initial round of job interviews to take place in May, in Detroit. The logistical details and scheduling will be facilitated and coordinated by Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program staff. Finalist expenses (air fare, hotel, ground transportation, and per diem) associated with this round of interviews will be fully paid by the program. Every effort will be made to match the skills, career interests and preferences of Fellows with the preferences and needs of organizations.

Employers will be encouraged to follow up with the Finalists in which they are most interested. If additional visits are needed, these discussions and arrangements will be between candidates and employers; the Fellowship program will not be involved at this point in the process.

During the third stage, after the Finalist interview process is completed, Finalists will submit a list of placement choices in order of preference, and state any conditions or preferences for their participation in the program. The prospective employers and host organizations will do the same. The program staff and director will consider preferences stated by the Finalists and host organizations and make the most mutually optimal matches. As necessary, alternates will also be named.

Fellows are not employees of the Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program. Employers and host organizations extend the offer for employment, and these job offers will be based on candidate qualifications and the organizations' hiring policies and pay structure. The employers will be responsible for any pre-employment screening in accordance with their personnel policies, and Fellows must cooperate in a timely fashion. The employment position offered will vary depending on the needs of the organization and the skills of the applicant. Fellows should expect to receive an offer which contains a full salary, specifying the rate of pay and other terms of employment (including health benefits, vacation time, etc.).

Fellows are expected to make a two-year commitment to the employer and to the Fellowship program. While there is no obligation for either party to continue employment after the two-year term of the Fellowship, there is that possibility depending on the quality of the “fit.”

Job offers will be extended no later than July 15, 2011.

Employment with a host organization is a pre-condition for selection as a Detroit Revitalization Fellow.

Applicants receiving and accepting a qualified job offer will be formally offered a Fellowship on or before July 15, 2011. The Fellowship offer provides a package of executive education, personal development and coaching, extensive networking opportunities, and pays all expenses related to travel and participation in the educational program activities.

Fellows will be contacted regarding the start of the three-week education and training program. The anticipated start date is August 8, 2011. Those accepted into the program will be offered assistance in making the move to Detroit, and all are expected to be located in Detroit, full time, starting in early August 2011.

A summary of the deadlines critical mileposts is presented below:

APPLICATION AND TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR 2011-2013 FELLOWS*

Application closing date	April 15
Semifinalists notified and scheduled for interviews Email and postal mail	April 15-20
Semifinalist interviews Phone or video conference	April 18-30
Finalists notified	May 4
Confirmation of final interview lists from finalists and hosts	May 11
Interviews Sessions Scheduled in Detroit	May 18-24
Organizations conduct follow-up interviews	through June 24
Ranked lists of preferences due from finalists and host organizations	June 30
Matched recommendations and alternates confirmed with host organizations	July 3
Job offers and Fellowship position finalized	July 15
Training for cohort begins	August 8
2011 Cohort of Fellows begin working full-time	September 6

* Schedule dates may change due to unforseen circumstances. Any changes will be noted here.