POSITION SUMMARY
The Construction Volunteer Facilitator provides direct support to site supervisors, construction volunteers, and Habitat homebuyers in building and rehabilitating Habitat Homes.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide support to construction site supervisor
o Assist site supervisor with preparing the site for daily construction activities
o Review plans with site supervisor to determine required materials and tools
o Retrieve appropriate quantities of correct materials and tools from the warehouse or other site and transport to the designated site, entering appropriate information in Warehouse Inventory database
o Purchase materials and tools from local retailers when necessary, transporting to the site, completing appropriate paperwork associated with purchases
o Perform various construction tasks as assigned by site supervisor, while building cooperatively with volunteers and homebuyers
Facilitate “Build. Think. Act.” educational activities on site with volunteers
o Teach TCHFH-designed Service Learning Curriculum
o Present background information on affordable housing and civic engagement
o Facilitate volunteer group reflection and discussion
o Answer questions related to Habitat for Humanity and affordable housing
As needed and assigned, lead crews of volunteers and homebuyers on the construction site
o Communicate assignments to volunteers and homebuyers
o Teach appropriate use of materials and tools to volunteers and homebuyers
o Answer questions about assignments and provide feedback
o Facilitate on-site affordable housing educational activities
Perform minor maintenance tasks on assigned construction vehicle
Participate in AmeriCorps-related activities as assigned
o Attend orientation at beginning of service
o Attend AmeriCorps civic engagement retreats and team meetings
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
• 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 , sex offender and FBI fingerprint checks
• Must submit contact information for one professional reference
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Ability to learn and apply construction terminology, tool and material-usage and general techniques
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to make routine decisions and problem-solve
• Adaptable & flexible regarding communication & work styles, work assignments & service hours
• Perform and solve basic math calculations and problems
• Ability to work independently or in a group
• Prior volunteer experience preferred
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Stand and walk for the majority of a day, usually on uneven surfaces
• Climb ladders and scaffolding and use stairs and ramps
• Bend, lift, grasp, reach, push, and pull materials and tools to move them into and out of vehicles and to move them around
• Give and receive detailed information through verbal communication
• Periodically lift and move loads up to 50 pounds
• Independently operate a motor vehicle
• Must wear appropriate safety equipment and clothing
SERVICE ENVIRONMENT
The majority of service is performed outside on construction sites, either new-build or building rehabilitation with exposure to dirt, dust, dampness, construction debris, extreme temperatures, warehouse and construction noises and fumes and odors from construction materials.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Basic and power construction tools, such as: hammer, wrench, screw drivers, utility knife, tape measure, scissors, drill, reciprocating saw, etc.
APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.AMERICORPS.GOV.
We ask that applicants also submit their résumé and cover letter (specifying which position they are applying for, why they are interested in this position and what skills or experiences they bring to this position) by e-mail to - Heather.Erickson@tchabitat.org
EOE/AA
The Minnesota Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Program will take Affirmative Action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. Such employment practices include, but are not limited to, the following: recruitment, employment advertising, selection, hiring, upgrading, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff, disciplinary action, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training and apprenticeship opportunities. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with known disabilities for interviews and for service positions.
The Minnesota Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Program strives to engage men and women from a wide variety of cultures, races, educational backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, ages and abilities.
Service Activities
On a typical day, members teach unskilled volunteers a specific task like hanging drywall 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 them with affordable homeownership – either newly constructed homes or rehabbed properties. The Program also provides 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
BENEFITS -
* A living allowance $1,208 per month (before taxes)
* $200 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