Outreach and Communications Coordinator

ORGANIZATION: LISC AmeriCorps/ Minnesota Home Ownership Center

CATEGORY: Community and Economic Development

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
The mission of the LISC AmeriCorps program is to transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy communities by placing AmeriCorps Members with Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and other nonprofit organizations. LISC helps CDCs assist in the revitalization of underserved neighborhoods across America by providing financing and technical know-how to CDCs in order for the groups to develop affordable housing, spur commercial investments, create jobs and expand other services that improve the quality of life in the low-income communities where they live and work. AmeriCorps is one component of LISC’s human capital agenda and seeks to attract talented individuals to serve for one year at CDCs to help build organizational capacity. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and begin a career in the Community Development field. • The Minnesota Home Ownership Center is a statewide nonprofit organization assisting Minnesotans with low and moderate incomes to buy and maintain their homes. The Center trains housing counselors and educators, develops curriculum and programming, and conducts consumer and community outreach. The Center has been the definitive source of services related to the state’s foreclosure crisis and is integral to neighborhood recovery in impacted communities. Its programming is recognized nationally for innovation and effectiveness.

SALARY: 18,000    TYPE: Full Time / 40 hours    DEADLINE: 8/15/2009

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Member Activities
The Center’s AmeriCorps member will have the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of non-profits, homeownership industry professionals and housing counselors. You will be joining an organization that is growing in visibility, influence and effectiveness. The primary tasks will be about: supporting consumer and community outreach with an emphasis on communities of color; developing tools to inform homeownership industry professionals and consumers about new programs and funding sources for homeownership; and providing training and support to the counseling agencies in the Center’s network.

The following are some examples of the responsibilities:
• Create a web based communication forum, chat groups, training materials, and other tools to support counseling agencies.
• Partner with Campus Compact Minnesota to promote issues of foreclosure and foreclosure prevention within the student, faculty, and administration of colleges and universities within the state.
• Staff and organize a collaboration with agencies serving tenants impacted by foreclosure to coordinate outreach.
• Develop and implement outreach and education programming for communities of color.
• Survey program participants to learn program results. Look into alternative methods for completing consumer surveys (web, email).

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Qualifications
• High school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED within the year
• Minimum of 17 years of age, US citizen or permanent resident status
• 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
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)

Preferred Qualifications
• Mission: adopt and respect the organization’s mission. A passion for creating results is a must.
• Innovation: think creatively to help the Center do our work better.
• Communication: ability to write well, you will be responsible for preparing written materials. You will be communicating over the phone and in a group setting often—verbal communication skills are key.
• Technology: you will be working with web based tools, so being comfortable with technology is a must. Experience with Microsoft Office products is highly valued.
• Relationships: work with diverse stakeholders in a respectful and cooperative way.
• Program results: plan and complete work assignments to meet your goals. Complete work accurately. Successfully meet deadlines.
• Knowledge: education, work, or personal experience in communications or a related field is helpful. Previous experience with housing would be helpful, too.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Member Benefits
Full time members are required to serve for a minimum of 1,700 hours and a full year at the MN Home Ownership Center. Members will attend a national orientation the week of October 25, 2009 and monthly meetings and trainings hosted by the Twin Cities LISC office. The MN Home Ownership Center will also make additional training opportunities available. Members will earn a stipend of $18,000 and are eligible to participate in the AmeriCorps health insurance program and may apply for childcare benefits. Upon successful completion of the service year, members will be eligible for a $4,725 education award to pay off existing student loans or return to school.

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please email your resume to Kate Speed at kspeed@lisc.org or mail to:
Kate Speed
Twin Cities LISC
570 Asbury St., Suite 207
St. Paul, MN 55104