Habitat for Humanity Youth Engagement Specialist

Description

Job Title: Southwood Youth Engagement Specialist

Position Location: Charlottesville, Virginia

Reports to: Chief Partnership Officer

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt-Professional, Salaried.  Includes frequent evenings and weekends.

Organizational Background:

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville (“Habitat”) is a non‐profit organization creating simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income working families, volunteers and the community of Greater Charlottesville.  We build homes – alongside low-income future homeowners called Partner Families – assisted by community volunteers, and participants from corporate, civic, and church sponsored groups.

We are an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry. We believe in the audacious idea that together we can do great things. We see challenges as opportunities, we think “win-win” and we understand that everything we do is in service to current and future partner families. We are deeply committed to Asset Based Community Development and appreciative practice.

Scope of Responsibilities:

The Southwood Youth Engagement Specialist (SW YES) will be based at the Southwood Mobile Home Park, a 340 trailer community which Habitat and residents plan to redevelop into a permanent, mixed-income community.  In alignment with the Board of Directors Core Values for Southwood Redevelopment, the SW YES will lead on pre-development children & youth engagement, partnerships, and programming. Functions include but are not limited to supporting existing youth-centered partnerships, empowering children & youth to create a thriving community pre and during redevelopment, inspiring youth & children to influence and inform the redevelopment process, and implementing Appreciative Inquiry initiatives within the Department of Family & Community Partnerships. This will be a core position within the Southwood Community Engagement Team and will report to the Chief Partnership Officer.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate children & youth outreach and engagement programs
• Assist with community engagement and outreach initiatives with a non-exclusive focus on youth & children
• Assist in the coordination of community meetings and participate in meetings as directed
• Implement communication strategies focusing on children & young people, including utilizing social media platforms such as Twitter, Google, Instagram and Facebook.
• Communicate directly with community members, establishing rapport and trust in a warm and respectful manner
• Connect Southwood children & young people to appropriate community partners, programs, and services
• Be knowledgeable about Habitat’s mission and communicate HFHGC redevelopment plans in an age-appropriate manner in order to enable children and young people to influence and inform the redevelopment process.
• Support special projects and initiatives at Southwood and within the wider HFHGC organization
• Convey professional and positive image of HFHGC and Southwood at all times
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Southwood Community Engagement Manager, Southwood Community Coordinator, and Chief Partnership Officer as directed

Skills Required

Prerequisite Requirements:

• Bilingual fluency REQUIRED: English and Spanish. This will be assessed.
• 1-3 years of experience in a school, social services or non-profit setting
• 1-3 years of proven youth or community outreach experience
• 4 year college degree in relevant discipline, or equivalent
• Familiarity with Asset Based Community Development and Appreciative Inquiry
• Ability to learn quickly and take initiative with limited direction while functioning within a collaborative, team environment
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office software
• Strong organizational skills including ability to multi-task effectively
• Ability to manage confidential materials
• Strong discretion and judgment
• Ability to remain calm and focused in a constantly changing environment
• Flexibility to work frequent evenings and weekends
• Strong interpersonal and business communication skills
• Ability to build meaningful relationships of trust and mutual respect
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, colleagues, Board of Directors, and committee members
• Commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s mission of service to others
• Sensitivity to the needs of people from multiple cultures and backgrounds
• Excellent sense of humor
• Outgoing, friendly, positive and “can do” attitude
• Driver’s license and insurable driving record

Work Schedule

This position will require the post holder to be flexible and available when children are out of school. A general schedule (Mon, Tu, Thurs, Fri) of 9:30 to 6 pm, and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m should be anticipated. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

Additional Info

Please send a full resume and detailed cover letter by email to Jo Olson, Southwood Community Partnerships Manager, at jolson@cvillehabitat.org. No telephone calls, please. Applications will be accepted until an outstanding candidate is identified.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you are asked to interview and require modifications, please let us know. We regret that due to the anticipated volume of applicants, we will not be able to communicate with everyone. If you have not heard from us by July 1, 2016, you may presume that your application was not successful this time.