Resident Services Specialist

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ORGANZIATION BACKGROUNDS

Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) is a Southern California nonprofit affordable housing developer, engaged in the well-being of low to moderate-income individuals and families for over four decades. Our creative real estate development and resident services teams work collaboratively with partners that share IHO’s commitment to creating comprehensive community development and economic empowerment. We recognize that real impact starts with housing.

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America - great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Over the last 38 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $20 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. These investments have leveraged more than $50 billion in development activity and helped families and communities raise their standards of living. LISC investments impact the lives of nearly 7 million Americans. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 31 markets with offices extending from Buffalo to San Francisco. Our rural programs make an impact in 44 states, and are supported by LISC’s talented and dedicated workforce. Visit us at www.lisc.org

AMERICORPS MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The member selected will be responsible for financial coaching and job readiness programs that will contribute to IHO resident services program and our Economic Self-RelianceTM program. IHO’s Economic Self- Reliance(tm) Program is designed for residents who have already completed basic budgeting and life skills training and have expressed an interest in achieving sustainable housing independence. Our dedicated staff and onsite community space (or "pop-up" mobile services) enable us to bring resources and mentors to our properties where participants have the greatest opportunity to engage in them without the obstacles that typically derail progress, such as lack of transportation or childcare. Specific responsibilities include:

• Providing group instruction workshop series and one-on-one financial coaching to participants including assessing financial situations and helping them to develop realistic spending, savings, and debt management plans, improving or building credit, developing emergency savings funds, and building assets (retirement, education, housing, ).
• Promoting successful job search activities by teaching and supporting individuals served with: online applications, paper applications, internet mining or job search techniques, email set up and use, computer assistance and direction, typing and general test/questionnaire preparations, and cover letters; and, simultaneously, provides support, encouragement and feedback to make job searches more effective
• Conducting intake and follow-up assessments to assess resident needs, capabilities and interests
• Identifying evidence-based programs, tools and resources to meet the needs/interests/capabilities of participants
• Managing outcome tracking system, manage program projects and maintain client files. Assist Program Team with reporting and documentation

PERFORMANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

This is an AmeriCorps position. LISC and Innovative Housing Opportunities will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member.

Members will be provided with goal(s) at the onset of the service assignment based on the activities and responsibilities noted above. Members will track goal attainment monthly through an on-line system (training provided). Members will also discuss professional performance in the form of a mid-term and final appraisal. Members are required to track time and submit on-line (training provided) timesheets twice per month.

Members will perform day to day service at IHO and serve a minimum of 10 hours per week. Normal service hours are Monday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm with 30 minutes for lunch per day. There will be opportunities to serve evenings and weekends.

Members will have an immediate supervisor and a local LISC supervisor throughout the term of service as identified by LISC and IHO.

Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:

• Attending a local onboarding session coordinated by LISC and an onsite orientation to our organization;
• Attending a national leadership conference;
• Attending all locally sponsored monthly meetings;
• Participating in nationally sponsored webinars;
• Actively participating in any team coordinated service projects; and,
• Engaging in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC

DESIRED SKILLS

• Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Computer skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate must meet all eligibility requirements to serve as a National Service participant including but not limited to:

• Be eligible to earn 100% of the education award associated with this description
• Be eligible to perform the term of national service associated with this description
• Have unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by CNCS during the pre-enrollment period
• Possess a high school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED during the term of service
• Be at least 17 years of age (note there is no upper age limit)
• Be able to complete at the hours within the timeframe of the service term and serve the full term

NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH REQUIREMENT

If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. Only candidates who are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of murder may not participate as an AmeriCorps member. Only candidates being offered and then accepting the position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, a State Level Criminal History Search and an FBI search. Consent is provided via the LISC AmeriCorps application. Candidates must be cleared by CNCS prior to the first day of service.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $1,566.14 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place existing student loans (loans must qualify and not in a state of default) into AmeriCorps forbearance.

Additional benefits for alums can be found here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/special- initiatives/employers- national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-c ancellation/public-service.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should email a resume to Emilie Dang at edang@innovativehousing.com with a cover letter indicating their current level of education, subjects studied, educational goals, related experience (if any), career goals and reason for interest in this position

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.

This program is available to all, and we treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic