Americorps VISTA: Family Services Coordinator

Habitat Philadelphia AmeriCorps VISTA: Family Services Coordinator

Background: Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is an independently chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Locally, Habitat Philadelphia is on a mission to transform lives and our city by building quality homes in partnership with families in need, and uniting all Philadelphians around the cause of affordable housing.

Participants in Habitat Philadelphia’s (HFHP’s) homeownership program are selected based on their level of need, their ability to pay a zero-interest, 25-year mortgage, and their willingness to partner with Habitat by completing 350 hours of sweat equity work on our construction sites, in return for no down payment on their home. HFHP’s Family Services department manages all aspects of the affiliate’s homeownership program, from application and family selection to settling with families who are purchasing homes. The affiliate plans to dramatically increase its homebuilding activity in the next three years, and has recently begun two home repair programs with similar family requirements. Thus, the Family Services department is building its capacity to partner with a dramatically increased number of families.

Description: The Family Services Development VISTA will revamp and expand processes in Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s (HFHP’s) Family Services Department as we dramatically increase the number of families that we serve in the coming years. The member will create systems to help the department promote our services to a wider population, process more applications, and guide a larger number of families through the program requirements. Since its inception HFHP has sold over 160 homes in several different “pockets” throughout the city, and while many homeowners have remained connected to each other and to Habitat Philadelphia, there is significant work to be done to lay the foundations for a thriving, integrated community of Habitat homeowners. The member will assist the Family Services team to strategize and implement methods of engaging Habitat homeowners and Habitat neighborhoods with each other and with HFHP, drawing on families’ strengths to benefit the greater Habitat community, and enhancing HFHP’s ability to provide homeowners with information and resources. Despite having similar program requirements, each of our three housing programs currently has a different application and selection process. The member will research best practices and collaborate with the Family Services Manager and Committee to lay the foundations for consolidating these into a single streamlined process that accepts applications more frequently—while also ensuring that partner families are set up for success and are given adequate support while completing their requirements.

Service Week: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Evening meetings once a month, lasting approximately 90 minutes each. During program application season, some half-day Saturdays (approximately four).

Member Duties & Responsibilities:  Reach out to and build relationships with local non-profit organizations, community centers, and faith communities in order to recruit a diverse base of qualified applicants.  Collaborate with the Family Services Task Force to research benefits and drawbacks of a rolling, ongoing application process for families versus a periodic application process; assess the department’s staffing needs for serving a growing number of Partner Families; and streamline, refine, and document application and family support processes.  Research application/acceptance processes, staffing patterns, and program merge processes used by other Habitat affiliates, and identify the benefits and drawbacks of different systems. Together with the Family Services Manager, identify appropriate staffing patterns that stay on pace with the department’s growth, and integrate proven techniques for merging overlapping aspects of NRI programs into the Family Services Department (in the case of HFHP, these are our Weatherization and Home Repair Program, and our ‘The Other Carpenter’ program).  Collaborate with the Family Services Committee to increase its size and capacity at a pace that meets the needs of a growing number of partner families, and to recruit and equip Partner Family Advocates for incoming Partner Families.  Become familiar with current tracking and database systems used by the Family Services program (which record interested parties, current applications, sweat equity, escrow payments, etc.), and develop systems for integrating these records into the affiliate’s new database system.  Engage with Habitat homeowners via mailings, calling, and door-to-door visits, in order to update contact and household information and re-engage homeowners in the Habitat community. Develop semi-annual newsletter for Habitat homeowners. Coordinate at least one large group engagement event for the 160+ families who own Habitat homes, as well as events and/or meetings in the neighborhood context.  Complete all AmeriCorps paperwork and reporting requirements in a timely manner.

Position Requirements:  Understand Habitat's philosophy, and have the desire to promote it  Excellent oral and written communication skills  Strong organizational/time-management skills  The ability to collaborate on, and at times lead, a team.  Self-starter and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.  The ability to be flexible to organizational and personal growth and change.  Strong office/computer/database skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook)  The ability to effectively work with diverse populations, including those of a different race, religion, or socio- economic status  Attendance at meetings, trainings and events required by Habitat for Humanity International and by Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia  The VISTA position is full time, and the member is prohibited from holding additional employment during the service term.  Bachelor's Degree required; social work degree encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Benefits: Although listed as a job, an AmeriCorps position is not technically employment; it is a year spent serving the community. Members must have the desire to work with an underserved community, and receive the following benefits:  A living allowance of $12,192 for the 12-month service term;  A monthly grocery gift card or SEPTA Transit pass;  For AmeriCorps members who have served with another Habitat affiliate in a similar role before, a small additional monthly living stipend;  An education award of $5,550 upon successful completion of the term of service;  Health benefits through AmeriCorps’ health insurance carrier;  Educational loan forbearance with interest accrual payments.

How To Apply: Applications must be submitted by May 30, 2013. The application process has two separate components. If you are interested in pursuing this position, please do both of the following: 1. Apply on the AmeriCorps website (posted here). This portion is submitted to Habitat for Humanity International and takes 1 – 2 weeks before we can begin reviewing it. 2. Send your resume, cover letter, and three references directly to Henry Randolph, the affiliate’s AmeriCorps Host Site Manager (contact information below). This will allow us to begin reviewing your candidacy immediately. It's fine if your resume and references are the same as in the AmeriCorps application, but make sure that your cover letter explains your interest in the specific position you're applying for.

For questions, please contact Henry Randolph at [email protected] or 215 765 6000 x10.

Other: This position is for 1 year, from August 2013 to August 2014. Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the AmeriCorps program (its goals, requirements, benefits, etc.). You can learn more on the AmeriCorps website.

Job Details:

Application deadline May 30, 2013

Education requirements Bachelor’s Degree

Employment type Full time

Benefits For full description, visit the AmeriCorps benefits page.