Overview: Habitat for Humanity Chicago (Habitat Chicago), a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a nonprofit neighborhood investment partner that champions healthy neighborhoods by investing in resident priorities, supporting homeownership, and building quality homes. We believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to live and work towards this vision together with residents in our three focus neighborhoods of West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin.

Position Summary: The Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator is a positive, on-the-ground presence in our focus neighborhoods. They advance the Habitat Chicago mission and neighborhood priorities by connecting directly with residents and community institutions, learning from them, and engaging them in organizational and programmatic activities, as appropriate. The coordinator uses their time to advance relationships as well as specific initiatives that will help realize healthier neighborhoods through community-defined objectives.

The coordinator works closely with the Programs Team to convey information and determine neighborhood investment direction. The coordinator is also a core member of our Neighborhood Grants Initiative team, helping to both recruit participants and to support the development of this successful program.

Who Should Apply: You are a team-driven and talented communicator who understands the power of neighborhoods. You have a curious, organized mind and are energized by connecting with people in the pursuit of short and long-term goals.

Key Responsibility: Community Engagement, Survey and Support (40%)

Be frequently present in our focus neighborhoods working to listen and learn from residents so as to 1) inform organizational direction, 2) initiate resident opportunities and connections when appropriate and 3) increase resident confidence in Habitat Chicago’s work. In this responsibility area, the coordinator is generally expected to:

Establish robust, genuine two-way relationships with community residents, informal groups, and neighborhood institutions; obtain a deep and broad understanding of neighborhood development conditions; represent Habitat Chicago accurately and comprehensively.

Identify, schedule, and carry out both individual and group meetings in each focus neighborhood to champion neighborhood priorities, organizing residents on behalf of those priorities, and meet annual engagement targets.

Drive the organization and execution of periodic outcome measurement activities (e.g. community condition surveys, resident opinion surveys).

Include relevant Habitat Chicago team members in engagement activities, as available, to deepen neighborhood connectivity.

·Support programmatic resident engagement and communication needs, such as updating and collaborating with neighbors surrounding our build sites, etc.

Document all activities and findings from each interaction, recommending organizational investment, programmatic offerings, or referral opportunities as possible.

Key Responsibility: Participant Recruitment (25%)

Serve as the primary outreach and community liaison for the majority of our neighborhood development programs/initiatives (e.g. homeownership, community grants, homebuyer education, etc.). In this responsibility area, the coordinator is generally expected to:

Participate regularly as a project team member on our program outreach and recruitment team.

Working with the program outreach team, identify outreach targets and tactics for each program in each neighborhood.

Develop and maintain language, cases, presentations, etc. that promote confidence in the intent, structure and integrity of Habitat Chicago’s work and programs.

Through a variety of tactics, not limited to in-person presentations, one-on-one conversations, flyering, etc., and working alongside other program staff when appropriate, actively recruit participants for each program, meeting annual output target.

Maintain accurate and timely records of all activities and interactions.

Key Responsibility: Neighborhood Grants Initiative Support (25%)

Ensures the continued success and expansion of Habitat Chicago’s Neighborhood Grants Initiative. In this responsibility area, the coordinator is generally expected to:

· Collaborate with project team in program development, execution, and responsive decision making.

· Inform and recruit participant prospects through various outreach and communication tactics, including leading information sessions.

· Participate in grantee selection process.

· Maintain progress communication with approved grantees, including site visits when appropriate and closure support.

· Foster, expect, and adhere to high programmatic standards.

· Continuously evaluate program for, and advance, technical and asset-based community development improvements.

Key Responsibility: Teamwork and Communication (10%)

As a key programs team member, the coordinator contributes to our organizational health through enthusiastic collaboration, leadership, and personal integrity. In this responsibility area, the coordinator is generally expected to:

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 organization.

Participate in relevant community investment strategy decisions, helping to define neighborhood and program direction.

Meet and endorse organization standards for record keeping and information sharing.

Contribute to organization 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

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Interpersonal and cultural competency skills facilitating collaboration and positive relationships with a wide spectrum of people.

Advanced communication abilities for varied situations (e.g. public speaking, coaching, listening, interpreting, advocating, negotiating, etc.)

Ability to accurately interpret information gathered from a large volume of sources, addressing personal or source bias or other influencing factors in the analysis.

Organization, attention to detail, and ability to work independently with minimum supervision.

Excellent project management skills with a sound understanding of practices and principles

Patience, understanding, and flexibility.

Confidentiality with sensitive information

Motivated to drive organizational goals.

High level of computer literacy, including competence with Microsoft Office

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Understanding of asset-based community development principles

Understanding of and practiced in community organizing.

Understanding of challenges facing populations with low incomes

Understanding of the Habitat for Humanity mission and operations

Familiarity with project management tools and constituent relationship management platforms (Salesforce preferred)

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in human services, social impact design, social work, public policy or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

At least two years of community development (or other relevant) experience in a professional setting.

Experience with South and West Side Chicago neighborhoods and institutions required.

Successful Habitat team members share the following characteristics:

Trust: You invest in your fellow team members, and you do what you say you will do. You thrive on constructive feedback and have a high level of integrity.

Commitment: You have a “go above and beyond” attitude; nobody here works just for a paycheck.

Engagement: You embrace bringing people to the Habitat mission.

Innovation: You are a creative problem solver who works across teams.

Curiosity: You express curiosity and reserve judgment.

Achievement: You love results and hate excuses. You will help Habitat Chicago grow to be a leading organizationPosition Details

Reports To: Neighborhood Engagement Manager

Hours: Full-time. Official office hours are M-F 8am-4pm, however team members work schedules that fit their role best. This role is expected to have frequent weekend or evening obligations. We encourage team members to balance hours as needed.

Environment: Office-based employees may work remotely and/or in the office. The Habitat Chicago office is located at Cermak Rd. and Carpenter St. in Chicago. It is accessible by car or by public transit. This position will have access to a desk, computer and phone line in an open office environment.

Conditions: Must be able to lift 25 pounds, work at a computer for long periods of time and walk or stand for extended periods in varied temperatures.

Compensation: Salaried; $42,000-$45,000, depending on experience. 30+ vacation/sick/personal days per year. 90% employer paid health insurance: access to dental, life and 401k (3% match) plans.

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; the candidate 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 their responsibilities. Additionally, the successful candidate may be asked to attend training and certification programs as identified.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@habitatcicago.org with “Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator – Your Name” in the subject line by 05/15/2023. Only successful applicants will be contacted, and interviews will take place on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago is an equal opportunity employer. This organization does not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability status, religion, national origin, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.