Habitat for Humanity Family Services Support

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OVERVIEW: Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester is an independent 501 (c) 3 affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International with an annual budget of approximately $2.5 million serving 42 communities in Central Massachusetts. We are an ecumenical faith-based organization founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. The Habitat program is one of self-empowerment based upon "a hand up, not a handout". Our mission is to build homes, communities and hope.

JOB SUMMARY: The Family Services Coordinator (FSC) is a 20 - 30 hour a week volunteer position, with 75% of the time spent in the office. The position will provide support, leadership, coordination, and certain direct services to Habitat’s family partnership program and committee, and the family selection program committee. In partnership, this includes the period from purchaser selection through closing; the first year of homeownership; and then ongoing, with a special focus on resolving any mortgage delinquencies post first-year. The FSC will be the staff person responsible for fostering good neighbor relations in subdivisions developed by Habitat, and good homeowner association management. In applicant selection the FSC will serve to broadly promote application opportunities, ensure that all receive fair treatment and great "customer service," that we maintain compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, grant requirements, and local and national Habitat for Humanity principles and policies. The FSC will work in a manner to continue to maximize the engagement of specialized and leadership volunteers in the areas of Applicant Selection and Family Partnership.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Continue the development and implementation of a comprehensive approach to outreach, engagement, training, support and, eventual self-sufficiency for families at multiple points along the preparedness spectrum. Create annual and long-term Family Services budgets, goals and strategies to Executive Director.
2. Coordinate the day-to-day operations of Habitat’s Family Selection and Family Partnership programs, which includes marketing opportunities according to project specifications, engaging directly with potential applicants, providing referrals for other housing programs to applicants not suitable for our program and developing relationships with compatible social service agency which serve low to moderate income individuals and families. It will also include providing certain administrative support and liaising with Family Partnership and Family Selection Chairs and team leaders
3. Attend relevant committee meetings, as the staff support to Applicant Selection and Family Partnership.

1. Committee vacancies: In consultation with committee chairs, as needs and vacancies occur, oversee recruitment and training of Family Partners, as well as members and leaders of the various Applicant (Family) Selection teams. Position does require evening flexibility to account for committee meetings and applicant appointments.
2. Volunteer training: Continue and further develop appropriate training for volunteers working in these programs
3. Program materials: Refresh/create program materials, as needed
4. Good neighborhoods; home owner associations: Develop and support programs to promote good homeowner association management, including developing good neighbor training programs, assisting with conflict resolution (within Habitat limitations), liaising with and supporting Home Owner Associations established in Habitat developments - including assistance in selection of professional property management organizations.
5. Homebuyer Education: Coordinate and further develop pre-purchase/post-purchase courses for Habitat homeowners, develop relationships with local housing counseling agencies which offer HUD certified First Time Homebuyer courses and other self-sufficiency initiatives; foster continued positive communication between Habitat homeowner families; and between homeowner families and Habitat volunteers/staff.
6. Administration/Compliance: Fulfill administrative and liaison roles in grant, mortgage and fair housing/lending areas, as well as HHCC standard process (execution of "Letter of Intent; maintenance of applications and mortgage files). Ensure compliance, on some projects, with Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development marketing and lottery plans and procedures. Maintain certification as a loan originator thought HFHI online training classes, and relevant state level education, if applicable.

• Insure that our Family Selection process is in compliance with all relevant laws

1. Events: At completion of construction, coordinate with Volunteer Coordinator and Development Department on home dedications, and assists with other Habitat events.
2. Closings: Coordinate with all parties (construction, legal, DHCD towards closing on home).
3. Delinquencies: Works with borrowers with delinquent mortgages; developing, monitoring payment agreements and providing information and referrals
4. Post-occupancy: Insure fulfilment of Habitat commitments through the first year of occupancy - punch list, warranty, responsiveness to other concerns; Works to foster the continuing positive engagement of homeowner families in the work of HHCC
5. Future program development: Develop and coordinate the applicant (family) selection/partnership elements of any future repairs program; veterans program, or similar.
6. Communications: Maintain updated "information and referral" information for common questions received from families by front office; develops information material for website, e-news, handout, or other that will help inform potential applicants about our program and how to prepare.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Education/training/experience related to social work and/or social service and/or mediation and facilitation and training and/or affordable housing.
• Strong administrative, organizational and detail skills, including basic math competency
• Commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s mission of service to others
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends
• Welcoming and engaging manner; great listening skills, excellent "people" and interview skills and be able to work with all different kinds of people in a positive "can-do" manner
• Ability to succeed in a team/collaborative environment
• Ability to skillfully and thoughtfully interact with a diverse set of stakeholders
• Ability to manage confidential material
• Strong communication skills: written, verbal - individual and small group.
• Ability to supervise and liaison with volunteers and staff, with different levels of responsibility, and continue volunteer engagement in these program areas
• Competency in basic computer skills (word, excel, social media)

Preferred:

• Experience in facilitating/mediating group interactions
• Basic understanding of mortgage lending and finance
• Knowledge of developing and providing training programs and courses.
• Bachelor level college degree, social work preferred

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Leadership volunteers in Family Selection and Partnership

Hours: This volunteer position will include a mix of regular office hours and flexibility for occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.