POSITION SUMMARY - ABWK Facilitators provides direct support to ABWK Site Supervisors, Construction Assistants, ABWK volunteers and homeowners painting and rehabilitating Habitat homes.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assist Supervisors to prepare ABWK sites for daily paint & rehabilitation activities
o Review plans with Site Supervisors to determine required materials and tools
• Serve as a member of ABWK crews, performing various paint & construction tasks as assigned by Supervisors, building cooperatively with volunteers and homeowners
• As assigned, lead volunteer and homeowner crews
o Communicate assignments
o Teach appropriate use of materials and tools
o Answer questions and provides assignment feedback
• Participate in AmeriCorps-related activities as assigned
o Attend orientation at beginning of service
o Participate in scheduled affiliate, program and statewide AmeriCorps events
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
• 18 years of age or older
• A U.S. Citizen or U.S. National or a lawful permanent resident alien
• High school diploma or GED but Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Not served two terms of service within AmeriCorps already (with some exceptions)
• Possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record
• Successfully pass background and sex offender’s checks
• Must submit contact information of one professional reference
• Must have access to reliable transportation
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Ability to learn and apply safety, painting and construction terminology, tool and material-usage and general techniques
• Ability to train volunteers in basic painting and construction techniques.
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to make routine decisions and problem-solve
• Adaptable and flexible regarding varying communication and work styles, assignments and service hours
• Perform and solve basic math calculations and problems
• Ability to serve independently or in a group
• Experienced or ability to learn basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Independently operate a motor vehicle
• Prior volunteer experience preferred
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Stand and walk for the majority of the day
• Walk and climb on uneven surfaces and use stairs and work on ladders up to 40 feet high
• Bend, lift, grasp, reach, push, and pull materials and tools
• Give and receive detailed information through verbal communication
• Periodically lift and move loads up to 75 pounds
• Pass DOT Physical
Service Activities
On a typical day, members teach unskilled volunteers a specific task like painting and build side by side with them to ensure tasks are done properly. When building with more skilled volunteers, members may instruct in the morning, and then use the afternoon to set up for the next task or train with their supervisor.
Community Need Addressed
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members will address the increasing need for more units of decent, affordable shelter for low-income families and veterans by providing low-income homeowners and veterans with no-cost home repairs through our A Brush with Kindness program (ABWK) to enable them to remain living safely and affordably in their own homes.
Position Outcomes
Each program year, AmeriCorps members serving with Habitat for Humanity will build, rehab, and repair 144 homes with and for low-income residents in the Twin Cities seven county metro area. As part of our Veterans Initiative, begun in 2010, 12 of these projects will serve veterans. The AmeriCorps members will also leverage 15,000 volunteers in advancing Habitat’s mission to eliminate poverty housing and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience
Habitat for Humanity has many healthy home-building practices in order for our families to be successful for years to come. Our homes are well built and highly energy efficient, which keeps ongoing housing costs affordable. We use low-emission materials, powered vent-type combustion appliances to remove combustion gases, continuous whole house ventilation, along with active radon mitigation. All of these steps more than show our commitment to the health and longevity of the families in these homes. To further ensure homebuyers can retain their home for many years, we provide both pre- and post-purchase support to Habitat homebuyers.
The ABWK program offers no-cost home repair to help make sure low-income families and veterans are living in safe and well-maintained homes. When this happens, more homeowners are able to stay in their homes and protect their financial investments, in turn restoring homeowners’ dignity and pride of homeownership.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
BENEFITS -
* A living allowance $1,044 per month (before taxes)
* $100 reimbursement for tools, boots & construction clothes
* $35 monthly cell phone allowance
* Health Insurance (This benefit is for AmeriCorps members only)
* Holidays off: Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day
* AmeriCorps sweatshirt and t-shirts
* Loan forbearance on most qualified student loans
* Fleet vehicle to drive to site. Gas and maintenance cost paid for by TCHFH
* Affordable housing opportunity available to up to 10 members
* Interest accrued on qualifying student loans while serving in the program may be reimbursed by federal government
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
Skills you will gain
Members attend an orientation that covers Construction/Tool Safety, Introduction to Civic Engagement, Volunteer Management, Team-Building Activities, Elevator Speech and certification in CPR/First Aid. Year-round, members receive position-specific training from their direct supervisors as well as a weekly team construction skill day with a Construction Supervisor during the winter months. Additional trainings throughout the year, Harassment Prevention, Homelessness Awareness Training and an Immigrant/Refugee Experience Panel. Towards the end of the term, members receive training that includes resume writing, interviewing and job-hunting skills to prepare for life after AmeriCorps.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Effectively delegate tasks
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment