Family Services Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Recruit homeowner family applicants for traditional homeownership, home repair, or Individual Development Account opportunities.
• Coordinate existing programs to attract qualified families as needed. This may include: placing posters and fliers at businesses, faith communities, and local employers, and communicating and meeting with various social service agencies. Assist Family Services staff in responding to calls and emails inquiring about homeownership in a timely manner, and promptly mail information packets to prospective applicants.
• Conduct applicant orientations and assist families in the completion of the housing application.
• Work with the family selection committee to select homeowner families for a variety of housing products, including Habitat homes, critical home repair, A Brush with Kindness and weatherization projects.
  • Tasks may include preparing financial eligibility calculations and summaries for the committee on each applicant.
  • Assist family services staff in making follow-up, clarifying calls on homeowner applications.
• Attend all family selection meetings.
  • Prepare monthly summaries on homeowner family progress for committee.
• Track sweat-equity hours and send families monthly updates.
• Work with the family services committee and staff to provide educational opportunities to homeowner families.
  • Plan and carry out homeowner education courses.
  • Recruit appropriate teachers and speakers as needed.
• Become familiar with homeowner files to be able to answer day-to-day questions.
• Assist family services and construction staff with collecting necessary family information to prepare for closings.
• Work with homeowner families to plan their home dedication.
• On occasion, member may build alongside homeowner families as they complete their sweat-equity requirements.

Required meetings, trainings and events

Minimum expectations are outlined below with the understanding that further trainings may be required, as determined by the host site, Habitat for Humanity International or the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Onsite orientation to local host.
• First Aid/CPR.
• Habitat Learns – “Foundation of Habitat” online series.
• Lockton safety online courses.
• Annual sponsored blitz build – Habitat AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.
• National days of service:
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (required).
  • September 11^th National Day of Service and Remembrance and AmeriCorps Week (encouraged).
• Host site monitoring reviews and periodic check-in calls.
• Monthly meeting with host site manager.
• Bi-weekly meeting with direct supervisor.
• Life After AmeriCorps training.
• Staff, family services committee and board meetings and home dedications, as appropriate.
• Annual staff or AmeriCorps team build day.
• Individual and/or group professional development trainings may be made available based on budget, member interest and recommendation of the host site manager or direct supervisor.
• Host site events as appropriate, including but not limited to Building Hope Luncheon (May), Ride for Homes (June), Young Professionals’ Habi-Hour (November), Next Gen Builds (October), and Builder’s Challenge (July/August). Participation in these events will be in line with AmeriCorps program regulations.

Experience, knowledge and skills

Required

• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet host site’s insurance requirements.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel.

Preferred

• Knowledge of, and willingness to promote, the mission and activities of Habitat for Humanity International and AmeriCorps.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong research skills.
• Detail oriented and highly organized.
• Experience working with volunteers, teaching or group facilitation.
• Experience working as a member of a larger team.
• A second language is highly desirable, with preferred language being Amharic and/or Arabic.
• Public speaking experience.
• Knowledge of community development practices.
• Marketing experience.

Physical requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• About 30% percent of this position requires outreach in the community, including visiting buildings and homes that may have stairs, as well as occasionally serving on project sites that may have uneven terrain.

Service site environment

Member will serve in an open-space office and will share space with other staff and/or AmeriCorps members. Each member will have a desk, computer (with email and internet access), and a phone for service-related tasks. Shared resources include a printer, copy machine, fax machine as well as office supplies. Member will also be required to travel independently throughout Philadelphia, especially within North and West Philadelphia where Habitat Philadelphia’s efforts are targeted. Member will also spend some time on-site within the community.

Will a personal vehicle be required? ☐ Yes  ☒ No

A personal vehicle is not required, but is preferable. Travel is required for this position. Public transportation is available and paid for by affiliate, as is bike share, and Philadelphia is easily accessible by bike. Much of the travel will be within the North Philadelphia and West Philadelphia communities. When personal vehicle is used, approved service-related mileage (beyond commuting to and from service from home) will be reimbursed per the affiliate’s policy. There may be Habitat vehicles available for service-related use, on a limited basis, , which would require that the driver be  at least 21 years of age for insurance reasons.

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is located in the heart of where our country was founded. The region is rich in cultural and ethnic diversity. Philadelphia is an ideal location to take advantage of all the area has to offer, including both urban activities and natural retreats. Visit the Liberty Bell and countless historical sites, stroll around the vibrant and varied neighborhoods, take a day-trip to the beach, enjoy lively restaurants and cafes, bike through Fairmount Park—the possibilities are limitless. Philadelphia has something to offer for everybody.

As Philadelphia rapidly grows and develops, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s work to preserve the rich fabric of our neighborhoods becomes increasingly important. We work to maintain homeownership opportunities and improve the quality of life for individuals and families through new home construction, home rehabilitations, home repairs, and various community projects. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s continuing growth as we strive to meet the need for affordable homeownership and repair opportunities in Philadelphia.

AmeriCorps members contribute a year of service, and in return receive a modest living stipend, a basic health insurance plan, an education award, job training, and personal and professional growth opportunities. You will leave your year of service not only with new transferrable skills, but also with a sense of community that comes with no other employment opportunity. Please visit habitatphiladelphia.org for more information.