Neighborhood Revitalization/Construction Crew Leader AmeriCorps

Save to Favorites

Join Habitat Newburgh! We're hiring AmeriCorps Members!
Nestled in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region of New York, Newburgh is a historic city teeming with possibilities. Located 50 miles North of New York City, Newburgh was incorporated as a city in 1709, though the history of the area dates even further back than that. The Algonquin peoples grew corn, beans, and gourds in its soils, George Washington directed his troops from atop a hill in the center of the city, and barges containing everything from bricks to denim overalls floated the Hudson river to be sold in New York City. The City of Newburgh is the largest contiguous historical district in New York State, making it larger than any one area of New York City.

However, the need here is great. Newburgh is a city that has seen tough times, and in walking its streets this becomes evident; condemned buildings line the avenues, trash blocks storm drains and tangles in neglected gardens, and its main street is dotted with closed down storefronts. According to the City of Newburgh, there are currently over 700 vacant buildings and homes. Though the city is crestfallen, it is showing tremendous signs of life; where there once were crumbling vacancies, there are now children playing tag in backyards. Families that were once paying exorbitant rent for dangerous living situations are now paying fair, affordable mortgages for homes that they can call their own. Thanks to Habitat Newburgh, the streets that were previously the most dangerous are now the liveliest. Habitat Newburgh rejuvenates the community by building and renovating homes and providing low income families with an opportunity to become owners of these homes, as well as engaging the neighborhood with twice-weekly volunteer coffee breaks and volunteer opportunities Wednesday - Saturday. Habitat Newburgh relies on community volunteers, home buyer families, AmeriCorps members (National and VISTA), and staff to deliberately and devotedly take action to rejuvenate the city.

While serving with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, you will also have the opportunity to live in one of the most sought after regions of the country, known as the Hudson Valley. You can take advantage of easy access to New York City, as well as hiking, swimming, kayaking, rock climbing, and a plethora of music and cultural activities. Habitat Newburgh also has rental housing available just around the corner from the home office, and offers assistance in furnishing the apartment (via Habitat Newburgh ReStore). For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, please visit our website.

Neighborhood Revitalization/Construction Crew Leader

As a Neighborhood Revitalization Leader, you are integral to our goals of building more homes and better neighborhoods and communities throughout our service area. Your primary responsibility will be to assist with hands on construction tasks including, but not limited to, site prep, framing, roofing, finish carpentry, landscaping and clean up. Additionally, you will lead small groups of volunteers, providing them with on-site orientations and safety talks and ensuring that they are well-employed while on work sites. On occasion, you may participate in larger community projects or affiliate events.

Please Note: while construction experience is helpful, it is not required.

Required Qualifications:

* 18 years of age or older
* U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident
* High school diploma or GED equivalent (or agree to work towards one while serving)
* Driver's license
* Ability to be on one’s feet for extended periods of time, often on rough and uneven terrain
* Ability to lift at least 50 lbs. on a regular basis
* Ability to work on ladders and heights of up to two-stories
* Ability to work in varying weather conditions - sites are often not heated during winter and not air-conditioned during summer

Helpful Qualifications:

* Ability (or willingness to learn) to drive large pick-up trucks
* Experience with power tools
* Experience working with volunteers or teaching/group facilitation experience

Benefits of Service:

* AmeriCorps National living allowance of $12,630 (paid over the full 46.5 weeks of full-time service)
* Segal Education Award of $5,815 (upon successful completion of service) - lifetime maximum of 2
* Affordable Care Act compliant health care plan (Habitat pays the monthly premiums)
* Student Loan Forbearance (if eligible)
* Child Care Benefits (if eligible)
* 10 personal/sick leave days
* Approx. 10 holidays (dependent on service location)
* Member Assistance Program (MAP) - offers free services, such as counseling and financial planning resources

What’s in it for you?

At the end of the service year, you will have helped us complete 4 new builds, 5 rehabs, and 10 A Brush With Kindness (ABWK) projects, and as a result, serve 19 families. In addition, you will have recruited and/or managed 800 volunteers in the building, rehabilitation, or repair of homes, as well as trained at least one volunteer to be a skilled volunteer group leader for our ABWK projects.

How to Apply:

Please visit http://jobs.brassring.com/tgwebhost/jobdetails.aspx?partnerid=26053&siteid=5396&jobid=418463