AmeriCorps Construction Crew Leader, Habitat Montgomery County

Posted by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on June 23, 2014

AmeriCorps National Member Position: Construction Crew Leader at Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA (HFHMC)

The Opportunity:
The Construction Crew Leader position presents an extraordinary opportunity to impact entire neighborhoods and many lives for good by training to lead – then leading – multiple construction projects spawned from Habitat’s recently launched neighborhood-revitalization endeavor in Montgomery County, PA. Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA (HFHMC) anticipates serving as many as 27 families in fiscal year 2014-2015 by providing different levels of direly needed home-repair work to low-income homeowners residing within a defined neighborhood zone.

Description:
Reporting to the Director of Construction, the Construction Crew Leader will first train under the Construction Director, who has 30+ years in building and contracting in owner-occupied dwellings. The Crew Leader will then take this training and identify key on-site volunteers to train in working in owner-occupied homes as well as reconstruction, so that when the Crew Leader’s service term has ended, work can continue seamlessly. Additionally, the Crew Leader will work with the Construction Director to maintain the safety and security of each project as well as ascertain that all permitting is in place before any project begins. The Crew Leader must also orient and supervise onsite volunteers, including establishing the proper work pace so that work is not being performed too slowly or too quickly, and ensure safety is not compromised. The Crew Leader should be able to produce quality construction, regardless of varying skill levels of volunteers, and be able to assess such skill levels fairly quickly. He or she will also manage (and ensure compliance with) volunteer documentation, including signing waivers and safety-training certification prior to being onsite. Finally, with support from the Construction Director, the Crew Leader will also develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for volunteers going into owner-occupied homes. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to grow!

Professional skills and experience will be developed in the following areas:
• Construction knowledge and skills in all residential construction phases;
• Working with and through volunteers;
• Staff supervision including development, coaching and evaluation;
• Delegating with authority and integrity;
• Decision-making and problem-solving;
• Engaging and organizing staff and volunteers to meet program goals;
• Plan-reading, material take-offs and project cost analysis;
• Onsite safety.

Desired Qualities and Other Requirements:
• Superior communication and customer-service skills;
• Comfortable and adept teaching others;
• Comfortable in diverse groups;
• Values a team-oriented approach to decision making and problem solving;
• Strong planning and organization skills;
• Works effectively both individually and in a team environment;
• Demonstrates leadership, initiative and dependability;
• Friendly, engaging, professional manner;
• Uses an analytical approach to problem solving;
• Exercises excellent judgment;
• Understands the delicacies of working in owner-occupied dwellings and uses discretion when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters;
• Physically able to perform typical construction-site work and its demands;
• Able to lift at least 50 lbs.;
• Able to drive a pick-up truck or similar vehicle and valid driver’s license.

Please note:
This is an AmeriCorps position: 46.5 weeks of volunteer “national service” with a housing allowance and other benefits.
• For more details please go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=54348
• Living Allowance is: $12,100 for the full 46.5 weeks of service (before taxes)

Deadline to apply: July 11, 2014. (See “How to Apply” below.)

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA, log onto our website at http://www.habitatmontco.org.

How to apply
To be considered for this position, you must apply online to AmeriCorps: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=54348.You may additionally submit your resume and cover letter to sfisher@habitatmontco.org (Steve Fisher, Director of Construction), but even if you do so, you STILL MUST APPLY THROUGH AMERICORPS since this is an AmeriCorps position.

Deadline to send resume and apply: July 11, 2014. Candidates will be called for interviews on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please.