Housing Search and Information Specialist AmeriCorps Member

Position Title: Housing Search and Information Specialist AmeriCorps Member

Position Type: Full-Time

Duration of Term: October 2nd, 2023 – September 27th, 2024

Reports to (daily): Chris Harthen,Pope Francis Center Director of Housing Advocacy and

AmeriCorps Host Site Supervisor

Reports to (overall):  MCAH Program Directors

Program Objectives: The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program will support service providers by increasing their capacity to offer assistance and services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families. As an overall program, AmeriCorps members in the program provide direct, comprehensive services to those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in order to bring those individuals under the scope of services, assist with increasing self-sufficiency in the areas of income, life skills, and employment, and assist with obtaining/maintaining employment. Members will fulfill their specific positions, based on the needs of their host site organization, to contribute toward this increased capacity to serve their communities more efficiently and effectively. 

Classification: According to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, AmeriCorps members are not considered employees of the agency where they serve, nor are they employees of the program or the federal government. As such, members cannot engage in activities performed by employees of the host agency or otherwise displace employees.

About the Pope Francis Center: Pope Francis Center exists to provide meals, supportive services, and housing assistance to Detroit community members in need, especially those experiencing homelessness. On an average day, we welcome nearly 200 guests and provide them with nutritious meals, showers, laundry, and access to doctors, dentists, lawyers, and housing providers through our free clinics. We have been serving Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens for over 30 years, and we envision a Detroit without homelessness, where every person has the resources for sustained stability. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Housing Search and Information Specialist Position 

• Assist with intakes to assess the housing needs of that client
• Address housing barriers for the client
• Create/update lists of available housing for the clients to choose from, including identifying potential landlords who are willing to accept direct applications from applicants with extremely low-incomes and/or senior citizens with no income.
• Assist with independent living skills support related to addressing income and housing stabilization needs
• Gather and disperse food and clothing donations to clients
• Facilitate delivery of needed household items to clients who receive housing 
• Generate information materials for clients, such as newsletters/pamphlets/etc.
• Provide follow-up support services as needed

Additional Member Activities:

The activities listed below for volunteer recruitment, professional development, and civic engagement will account for a limited number of members’ hours but are considered as part of their service position. 

• Recruit and train 10 volunteers during the term of service
• Attend member orientation, mid-year and end-year trainings, webinars, and other events related to AmeriCorps service
• Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration 
• Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Signature Service Project 
• Plan and implement one service project which helps to address homelessness in their community 
• Participate in one service project for an AmeriCorps sponsored national day of service
• Submit quarterly reports by the appropriate deadlines with all necessary information provided

Training: Members are expected to participate in program and host site trainings throughout the service year, as scheduled and requested by the program. Basic training events will include member orientation, mid-year training, and end-year training. The program will also schedule various member conference calls and webinar topics. Host sites will be responsible for conducting an initial on-site orientation and training, as well as providing necessary continued training related to the service activities and professional development. For program-held training events, members will be provided the date and details at least three weeks in advance. 

Restrictions: No more than 20 percent of the member’s total time can be spent on fundraising or training activities. 

Principal Working Relationships: 

• Host Site Supervisor 
• AmeriCorps Program Directors 

Desired Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations of people with varying degrees of substance abuse disorder, mental illness, and physical disability
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and solve problems as a member of a team
• Ability to function well under pressure in a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to multitask, be flexible, open, and responsive to crisis management
• Ability to de-escalate tense situations and mediate conflict as needed
• Ability to work early mornings and partial weekends as needed
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Pope Francis Center
• Ideal candidate will have experience working with homeless and/or at-risk populations

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. and provide a copy of a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card to prove citizenship
• Have completed of some college or comparable work experience
• Must be able to complete a full term of service (one year)
• Pass the following criminal history checks in accordance with MCAH’s National Service Criminal History Check policy: State of Michigan, State of Residence (if applicable), FBI fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Public Registry
• Vaccinated against COVID-19 and be willing to wear PPE when interacting with clients
• Have a car or can arrange reliable transportation to and from service site, multiple mandatory training sessions in Lansing, and travel on behalf of site
• Possess proficiency with word processing software and email
• Be able to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds

Compensation:

• A stipend totaling $19,000 for FT or $10,059 for HT, paid bi-weekly over the course of the service year
• Upon successful completion of the term, an education award, $6,895 for FT or $3,447.50 for HT, which can be used towards qualified student loans
• Health insurance, provided for by the program, for full time members only.

To apply: Apply via the Google Form linked here.

Pope Francis Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.