AmeriCorps Construction Crew Leader

Key Responsibility: Construction and Volunteer Management (80%) – 

• Ensure safety on site by providing both a safety briefing and a jobsite orientation is presented for all volunteers as well as ensuring volunteers understand how to safely use tools and equipment 
• Supervise and lead a team of volunteers through daily construction activities ensuring a consistently excellent, safe, productive, and fun experience 
• Support the affiliate’s promotion of the volunteer program by taking photos of volunteers and groups throughout build days 
• Collaborate with construction staff to identify skilled/enthusiastic volunteers and cultivate their involvement in Habitat’s work (i.e. encourage them to consider being trained as regular site leaders and/or returning volunteers) 
• Attend required construction staff meetings 
• Assist in resource planning for each volunteer day to ensure the necessary resources -- materials and human -- are available to complete the team objectives for the day utilizing Task Leader Instructions 
• Monitor construction work for quality, code compliance, and safe practices 
• Assist with hands on construction tasks such as site prep, framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, roofing, finish carpentry, and landscaping. 
• Ensure the security of Habitat Chicago’s tools, equipment, and jobsite 
• Effectively communicate with Site Supervisor as to construction progress and potential issues 
• Assist Site Supervisor with coordination of construction subcontractors and building inspectors 
• On occasion, participate in larger neighborhood engagement projects such as exterior home repairs, lot clean ups, community gardens, etc. 
• Attend and participate in affiliate events; responsibilities may include set up, cleanup, and engaging with attendees and informing them about the AmeriCorps program, our affiliate’s mission and neighborhood engagement programming, and how to become a volunteer and/or family partner. 

Key Responsibility: Leadership and Teamwork  

As a key Programs Team member, contribute to our organizational health through enthusiastic collaboration, leadership, and personal integrity. 

• Maintain a “team first” outlook, supporting the success of the team and the mission in attitude, ideas, and actions; lead by example and with active, creative input for growing and improving the affiliate 
• Contribute enthusiastically to all affiliate events, helping as necessary with set up/take down, management, networking, various tasks, etc. 
• Engage with all members of team, program participants, and core volunteers. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• G.E.D. equivalent or high school diploma required 
• Existing construction skills (preferred) or strong desire to learn construction skills and construction management 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills 
• Able to manage multiple ongoing projects 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail a must 
• Valid Illinois driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of service; No serious driving related convictions/at fault accidents in past 3 years (Operation of affiliate vehicles is required) 
• Personal vehicle or access to transportation to arrive at Habitat office required. 
• Discretion with confidential materials; sound judgement for balancing affiliate values with external opportunities 
• Commitment to problem solving, continuous improvement, curiosity, and personal development 

Successful Habitat team members share the following characteristics  

• Mission Driven: Mission first. We center neighborhood priorities in our relationships, decisions, and actions to advance our shared goals of affordable homeownership and neighborhood health. 
• Collaboration: We are stronger together. We encourage, welcome, and integrate varied perspectives with intention. 
• Adaptability: We listen and adjust. We are curious about and responsive to change, and innovative in our solutions. 
• Trust: We do what we say we will do. We engage in relationships honestly and with integrity, holding ourselves accountable for our decisions and actions as a reliable partner/presence. 
• Equity: We promote access and opportunity. We value diversity, create inclusive spaces, and tailor efforts to prioritize practices and resources that meet unique needs, disrupting the harm of racism and other systems of oppression. 
• Respect: We listen to foster understanding. We recognize the inherent worth and value of every individual and honor the various gifts, talents, and perspectives each person brings. 

Reports To: Site Supervisor 

Hours: Full-time; Tuesday-Saturday, 7am-3pm. Some weekend and evening work are required, depending on program and event needs, and adjusting schedules as needed to balance hours is encouraged. Length of term: 1700 hours, 11-month commitment. 

Environment: Service site is an active construction site on the far south side of the city of Chicago. The site often has rough and uneven terrain. Members will serve both indoors and outdoors during all types of weather. Construction tools will be provided. Members will have access to a shared computer station to update our project management tool, check service-related email and complete timesheets and reporting. 

Conditions: Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work at a computer for long periods of time. 

Compensation: AmeriCorps members will receive a monthly living stipend, health plan benefits, worker’s compensation, and loan deferral. Habitat Chicago provides an additional $700 housing stipend and $250 stipend for food and transportation. Members receive an education award at the completion of their term of service (1700 hours). 

FLSA Status: This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It does not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked. 

Training: The position will begin with an onboarding period to become familiar with the organization’s work and policies; AmeriCorps members will be trained on the specifics of the role through a combination of in-person, online, and written trainings and will be expected to take the initiative to review materials as needed and seek understanding of new developments in order to perform responsibilities.