Disaster Recovery AmeriCorps Program - Lowernine, NOLA

SBP • New Orleans, LA

6h

About The Position

Ready to make a difference? Help Lowernine.org recover in New Orleans by serving with them for a 10-month AmeriCorps term! SBP, a social impact organization focused on disaster resilience and recovery, is hiring three AmeriCorps members to serve with lowernine.org in New Orleans, LA. lowernine.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to the long-term recovery of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2005 levee breaches. For nearly two decades, they've worked side by side with residents to rebuild homes, restore lives, and reclaim a vibrant community that was nearly erased by disaster – and neglected by systems meant to protect it. These members will be an integral part of our placement site, helping bring families home to safe, sanitary, and secure housing. As a Project Lead , you will rebuild, construct, and fortify the homes of disaster survivors. You will learn and master many phases of construction, and lead, mentor, and coach volunteers as they assist with your rebuilding efforts. You will learn sustainability and energy efficiency techniques that help homes better withstand future storms. No construction experience is necessary. As a Volunteer/Client Service Coordinator , you will provide disaster case management to support clients and recruit and coordinate volunteer visits. You will help to identify and remove barriers to clients’ recovery and welcome volunteer groups, talk to them about the impact of their service, and empower individuals to join us in being part of the solution!

Requirements

• Be at least 17 years of age or older.
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening.
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in challenging situations, including client crises.
• Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to people of various backgrounds.
• Serve Tuesday - Saturday from 8:00 - 4:30 pm

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized worksite
• Ensure that all construction work is of the highest quality
• Actively participate in construction projects, completing each phase of construction on schedule with or without the presence of volunteers
• Interact professionally and maintain a positive attitude when interacting with other team members, staff, homeowners, and volunteers
• Maintain the ability to perform strenuous, physical labor in different climates, over long periods of time.
• Clearly articulate the homeowner’s story and enduring needs, and educate volunteers on the area and the effects of the storm.
• Communicate daily and weekly goals
• Supervise, participate alongside, and provide effective training and constructive feedback to volunteers who are completing insulation, drywall, mudding, painting, flooring, trim, doors, and other phases of construction.
• Serve as a liaison between the homeowner and volunteers
• Adhere to SBP’s Construction Manual and Safety Protocol and participate in regular safety trainings
• Meet monthly with the Project Manager to discuss goals, construction projects, professional development, and any other issues
• Participate in September 11th Day of Remembrance and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events, which may take place on a weekend or during holidays and include activities outside of the scope of typical day-to-day functions
• Identify and support prospective clients, working with them to complete an application for assistance either in person, via phone, or via video platforms such as FaceTime or Zoom
• Refer clients who are in need of housing, food, or other supports to appropriate service providers
• Conduct outreach activities with the goal of recruiting more volunteers
• Respond to volunteer requests, questions, or general inquiries via email and phone in a timely fashion, maintaining an energetic and positive attitude
• Coordinate logistics for multiple volunteer groups and serve as the point of contact for current, previous, and future volunteers and groups
• Accurately document and track all volunteer records, including contributions, feedback, communication, and trip logistics, with strong attention to detail through the use of software such as Google Sheets, Salesforce, and Formstack
• Deliver compelling volunteer orientations that articulate the enduring needs of our clients to as many as 150 volunteers at a time
• Engage with previous volunteers and groups by regularly communicating about upcoming events and ongoing needs in the communities we serve
• Participate in outreach and planning for volunteer special events that support the goals of the AmeriCorps project
• Support fundraising efforts that meet the goals of the AmeriCorps project. (This will account for less than 10% of a member’s total hours.)
• Meet weekly with the Volunteer Manager to discuss goals, priorities, professional development, and any other issues, and be open to regular coaching and feedback

Benefits

• Stipend of $2,227.90 per month (pre-tax)
• Free individual health insurance
• A housing stipend of $175/month for AmeriCorps alumni
• Relocation reimbursement of up to $500 for eligible members
• Segal Education Award of $7,395 (Can be used as tuition assistance and/or for repaying qualified student loans and is awarded upon successful completion of a 10-month term of service)
• AmeriCorps Childcare Benefits Program
• Student loan forbearance for qualified loans
• Free Mental Health, Financial, and Legal support through the Member Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED