Community Development and Housing Specialist - Resilience Corps NC

This position is with the Central Pines Regional Council based in Durham, NC.

CPRC is a regional entity whose mission statement is, “We are a member-driven organization serving as a leading resource to connect communities and enhance their strategic priority outcomes through regional policy, collaboration, and technical assistance at the local, regional, and state level.” In our diverse seven-county region, we convene local governments, stakeholders and partners to tackle the many challenges that cross jurisdictional lines. As part of CPRC’s Community and Economic Development efforts, CPRC administers home repair funding awarded from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. These funds, in addition to other local and private funds, are used to improve the health and safety of homes for low-income households across the CPRC region. CPRC partners with Rebuilding Together of the Triangle, member governments, and other local community organizations to support home repair consortiums, with a goal of improving collaboration, increasing efficiency, and streamlining the process for homeowners and community partners alike.  

**NOTICE** This position is subject to continued federal and state funding, as AmeriCorps is under a 30% reduction in member slots for the 2024-2025 service year. We anticipate that by mid-May 2024 we will know which positions (if not all) will be available to start on our normal service year timeline. All applicants will be notified if this position is not funded.**NOTICE**

This 2024-2025 AmeriCorps position will have a start date of September 4th 2024 and an end date of July 31st 2025. Deadline to apply is June 14th 2024, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Don't delay in applying!

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents -  Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, and Birth Certificate or US Passport/US Permanent Resident Card.** If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment may be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

For the 2024-2025 service year, Resilience Corps NC operates a 11 month 1700-hour service position that offers a living stipend of $31,000, health insurance reimbursement for premiums purchased on the ACA Healthcare Exchange, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (individual trainings, enrollment in NC Environmental Education Certificate Program, and conferences in conjunction with VolunteerNC). Members are also eligible to sign up for SNAP benefits. Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $7,395 from the National Service Trust.

CTNC is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference or familial status.

CTNC seeks to engage applicants from underrepresented communities, particularly of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, and Native American background, in conservation careers. Connecting more diverse applicants to an employment pathway has led to greater equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in conservation.

Purpose of the Position

The Community Development and Housing Specialist will play an influential role in fostering capacity building for the fast-growing housing programs housed at CPRC. CPRC currently administers funding for home repairs and rehabilitation from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for Chatham, Durham, Lee, Orange, Wake, and Harnett counties. CPRC is also currently working to assist with home repair programs in partnership with Rebuilding Together of the Triangle in Chatham. CPRC’s role in administering home repair programs on behalf of member governments across the CPRC Region is to provide much needed capacity for smaller communities in the region that do not have the resources to dedicate staff time to implementing their own home repair programs, while simultaneously increasing administrative efficiencies and decreasing costs for member governments.   

Additionally, this position will provide direct education to low-income households who receive assistance through one of CPRC’s housing programs. Homeowners who receive assistance through a home repair program are often cost-burdened, with high energy costs. Homeowners and residents may receive energy efficient upgrades to their home. The Community Development and Housing Specialist will be responsible for educating homeowners who receive assistance with knowledge about how to most effectively utilize the energy improvements in their home. This will help them reduce their energy usage and cost, improving the health and safety of the home for years to come, as well as the broader community.   

Through a combination of organizational capacity building and direct education efforts, the AmeriCorps member will participate in the achievement of creating a more holistic and sustainable housing program for communities across the CPRC region.  

Position Responsibilities and Duties

The Community Development and Housing Specialist will join a professional, talented and compassionate team working to preserve safe, healthy homes and increase energy efficiency for lowincome homeowners in the CPRC region. The Specialist will work directly with CPRCs staff, community partners, and funders to identify and evaluate homeowners in need of repair, 

modification, and weatherization services. Additionally, the Specialist will be responsible for working with community partners to support creation and implementation of training materials for homeowners and community organizations focused on home maintenance and energy efficiency. Finally, the position will support the coordination of education workshops on topics such as legal aid and home safety. 

The Specialist will be responsible for overseeing the home selection and rehabilitation process and coordinating client services, including:  

• Overseeing the client and property eligibility verification process,  
• Ensuring client and project documents are managed effectively,  
• Working with professional staff from Rebuilding Together of the Triangle (RTT) to plan and manage as many as 30 home repair projects per year, anticipating needs and monitoring progress and documentation through project close out.  
• Creating support for education workshops for residents. Including legal aid, lead safety, and home maintenance, among other topics. 
• Providing technical assistance to CPRCs member governments in the form of data collection, research, and education.  

Responsibilities will include supporting rehabilitation staff from RTT and other community partner organizations to educate homeowners assisted through the program on energy efficiency improvements, home maintenance, and health. The Specialist will be responsible for helping create educational materials and assist in site visits with rehabilitation staff to share knowledge with homeowners who are assisted.  

Other responsibilities will also include assisting with grant applications for additional funding for CPRC counties, where applicable.  

Communication:

• Practice inclusive and thoughtful behavior in building rapport with program participants, site stakeholders and program staff.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with program staff, and site personnel.
• Report data in online systems in a timely and accurate manner.

Program Requirements:

• Demonstrate regular, timely attendance and adherence to hours as scheduled.
• Commit to service for the service term of 11 months, serving the minimum number of 1700 hours.
• Participate in all required AmeriCorps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and travel as necessary. Community Stewardship Coordinators will receive training on best practices for community engagement, group facilitation, and communicating about climate change with a focus on pursuing climate justice.
• Actively participate in service projects and commemorating days such as 9/11 Day of Service (as applicable). These may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Qualifications 

• Applicants should have experience or interest in housing development and preservation, project management, energy efficiency, or community development practices. Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required. Interest in planning and regional government work is a plus. 
• A valid driver’s license and a vehicle are also required (the member will be reimbursed for their travel to and from homeowner site visits and community meetings and events.)  Experience in Microsoft Office Suite required.   
• The applicant must possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Additionally, they must have experience and a desire to work directly with vulnerable populations, including seniors, people living with disabilities, immigrants, and people of color.    
• The applicant should have the ability to prioritize critical tasks independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, digest information quickly, and meet essential deadlines. The ideal candidate should have the ability to analyze information, streamline tasks to improve efficiency, and apply creative solutions to complex challenges.   
• Must be 18 years of age or older prior to your start date.
• Must have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent by your start date.
• Must be either a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Must pass mandatory National Service Criminal History Checks.
• Speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Experience with professional computer skills and confidence using computers. Comfort and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), completing internet searches, and navigating resources online, completing data entry, using e-mail regularly including sending attachments, using databases and software, using videoconferencing software, and attending training online.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a driving record check. Access to a personal vehicle for transportation.
• Excellent communication & customer service skills

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

• The physical demands of this position are moderate.  The AmeriCorps member must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time, drive a car and be able and willing to lift 25 pounds and actively participate in site visits and community events in varied weather.
• Some working hours are primarily based in an office setting and require sitting, standing, and operating a computer and telephone. Some working hours outside, potentially in various weather conditions.
• Some working hours may require light to moderate lifting, bending, stooping, pulling, kneeling, carrying, and use of hand tools up to 30 lbs.

Preferred Schedule

 The preferred schedule is 37.5 hours per work week, generally within the regular weekday timeframe but may include occasional night and/or weekend work as the season requires. 

The typical work week will range from 36-40 hours spanning certain designated business hours. The schedule is flexible with supervisor approval. Some remote work will be possible while in person work will also be required. Generally, the service member will serve Monday-Friday between 8:00AM and 5:00PM. The member will have flexibility to adjust workday length based on programs facilitated and time served throughout the week, as long as required hours to complete service term are met.