Construction Crew Leader

For one year, get paid to build sustainable solutions in a community, gain valuable hands-on experience and prepare for your future. This full-time AmeriCorps service position offers a great opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others while building your own knowledge and skillset.

AmeriCorps National members serve the community in direct service and capacity building activities.

What will you do?

The construction crew leader plays an integral part in building and repairing homes. Lead groups of skills and unskilled volunteers and homeowner families in construction activities while maintaining a safe, efficient work environment, thus, developing and enhancing your volunteer management and construction skills.

• Typically serve Tuesday - Saturday on the build site.
• Assist with all aspects of hands-on construction tasks including, but not limited to, demolition, site prep, framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, roofing, finish carpentry and landscaping.
• Projects may include new construction, rehabilitation, critical home repair and weatherization projects.
• Lead small groups of volunteers and facilitate safe and positive experiences for everyone working on site.
• Maintain site safety by adhering to Habitat construction safety policies, modeling best practices and guidelines, volunteer education and site monitoring.

This position will focus on home construction aspects of Habitat affiliate operations.

Where will you serve?

• Organization name: Tacoma/Pierce County HFH
• Nearest metropolitan area: Tacoma, WA
• Full-time staff: 30
• Expected number of AmeriCorps members: 5
• Number of homes to be built: 40
• Number of homes to be repaired: 60
• Activities and attractions: Tacoma, the third largest city in the state of Washington, lies on beautiful Puget Sound. Tacoma is a major destination for outdoor enthusiasts and just a short distance from the things that have attracted so many to the Pacific Northwest - Mt Rainier National Park, Pike Place Market in Seattle, and the Pacific Ocean coastline.
• Unique projects: In addition to building 39 new units of affordable housing in the next five years, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity intends to purchase 80 existing homes being divested by our local housing authority, which will be rehabbed and sold under our new model of permanently affordable homeownership. We also HUD-certified Housing Counseling including first-time homebuyer classes, financial planning, budgeting, credit repair, and one-on-one financial coaching free of charge to anyone interested in becoming a homeowner - whether they purchase a Habitat house. Finally, recognizing that a critical component to affordable housing is keeping people in homes they already own, our Aging in Place program provides environmental modifications and critical home repairs to low-income seniors and disabled Veterans throughout Pierce County, helping our most vulnerable population age comfortably and safely in their own homes and communities.

Benefits of AmeriCorps service

• Living allowance of $17,600 for approximately 10 months of service.
• Segal Education Award of $6,895, upon successful completion of service.
• Forbearance for most federally-guaranteed student loans.
• Health care benefits and enrollment in Employee Assistance Plan.
• Personal and medical leave - approximately 10 days total.
• Personal and professional development opportunities.
• Child care benefits, if you qualify.
• Worker's compensation insurance.

Supplemental Benefits

• Free housing

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident at least 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED.

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidates:

• Are passionate about serving the community through direct service.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background.
• Desire to gain hands-on experience in the affordable housing and nonprofit sector.
• Have experience working on a team.
• Possess stellar interpersonal communication skills.
• Are motivated and committed to serve full time and in person.