Senior Crew Leader

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Key Responsibility: Construction Progress (70%)  

The Senior Crew Leader plays a central role in progressing the construction of all Habitat Chicago properties. This includes completing tasks associated with assigned construction milestones, coordinating resource needs with Site Supervisor, and complying with defined quality and safety goals.  

Since Habitat Chicago’s unique volunteer-based workforce is integral to advancing construction progress, the Senior Crew Leader will also be responsible for utilizing the “tell/show/do” model to train and instruct volunteers, modeling appropriate and safe use of tools and equipment, and helping to mentor new team members (including volunteer crew leaders, interns, etc) on effective volunteer engagement strategies and construction techniques.

Key Responsibility: Safety Management (15%) 

Safety is a top priority on Habitat Chicago’s build sites. The Senior Crew Leader will be responsible for participating in required safety trainings, demonstrating appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), modeling safe build site behavior, and identifying/addressing known safety hazards.  

Key Responsibility: Quality Management (15%)

Habitat Chicago produces high quality homes for our buyers. As such, the Senior Crew Leader will be responsible for meeting quality standards and tolerances defined by the Program Manager and upheld by the Site Supervisor, performing rework as necessary, and performing warranty work on previously completed homes as assigned.

Organizational Expectation: Leadership and Teamwork 

As a member of the Habitat Chicago team, the Senior Crew Leader contributes to a collaborative, value-driven organizational culture. They maintain a team-first mindset, support colleagues across departments, and participate in organization-wide events and initiatives as needed. The role requires consistent engagement with volunteers, staff, donors, community partners, and program participants, modeling excellent customer service, communication, and mission-driven professionalism in all interactions. 

Organizational Expectation: Professional growth and skill development 

The Senior Crew Leader embraces opportunities for continual growth and adapts to evolving business needs. They demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges and tasks by contributing to special projects and initiatives as needed.  

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties nor required skills. Employees may occasionally perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities to meet the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Foundational knowledge of homebuilding means and methods
• Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Effective oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with industry-standard construction safety management practices
• Familiarity with industry-standard construction standards and tolerances
• Ability to work well under pressure and with changing priorities
• Ability to work independently when necessary while knowing when to seek additional advice
• Ability to utilize construction power tools and equipment
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to patiently and supportively instruct and guide those unfamiliar with new tasks (e.g., new crew leaders, volunteers, or non-construction staff participating on site) 
• Willingness to use organizational technology and project management information systems
• Ability and willingness to engage with new, diverse people daily for the majority of the work day
• Interpersonal and cultural competency skills facilitating collaboration with a wide spectrum of people

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Prior experience on a Habitat Chicago build site
• Experience engaging volunteers
• Understanding of the Habitat for Humanity mission and operations

Education and Experience

• At least two years of work experience in a professional setting, preferably in construction or a related industry.
• Of the two years of work experience, one must be in a construction-related trade.
• The other year of experience can be met with an additional year of trade work or a year of coaching, mentoring, teaching, or leading groups of people.

Even if you don’t meet all the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply if this is a role that gets you excited. Let us know what you bring to the table that we may be overlooking.

Hourly; $25.00/hour, depending on experience. 30+ vacation/sick/personal days per year. 90% employer paid health insurance: access to dental, life and 401k plans.