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2. Crew Leaders

Positions Still Available

The Crew Leader’s principle function is to coach the volunteers to produce acceptable results in a safe manner. A Crew Leader can usually guide 4-5 unskilled or semi-skilled volunteers. There are often 10-20 volunteers on a job site. A House Leader cannot direct the work of that many people and run a safe, orderly and productive job site. As such, each work period requires the services of 2-3 Crew Leaders to demonstrate tasks, maintain standards, monitor safety and assure that the volunteers have enough meaningful work to have a satisfying experience. It is not necessary that the Crew Leaders actually perform any work on the job site. They may elect to perform tasks if all of the volunteers are adequately engaged in the work.

We hold Crew Leader Training meeting periodically which enables volunteers to increase their involvement. Training dates this year are Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 6 PM and Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 6 PM. Another Thursday series is offered July 6, 13, 20, 27, 6 PM. Each month the same four classes are offered. Different nights and different months offer you a flexible schedule as you do not have to take these classes in sequence. You only need to attend each class one time.

• Class 1 Framing/Subfloors Tuesday, March 7th, Thursday, April 6, Thursday, July 6th
• Class 2 Trusses/Sheathing/Windows /Doors Tuesday, March 14th, Thursday, April 13, Thursday, July 13th
• Class 3 Siding/Soffits Tuesday, March 21st, Thursday, April 20th, Thursday, July 20th
• Class 4 Interior Finishing Tuesday, March 28th, Thursday, April 27th, Thursday, July 27th.

To volunteer as a Crew Leader, contact Claudia Moran or Rick Simoncelli.

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3. Site Safety Observers

Positions Still Available

While working as a volunteer, the Site Safety Observer will observe the work activities of the other volunteers. The SSO will become familiar with the HFHSL Volunteer Safety Manual and the HFHSL Safety Process. The SSO performs audits of the work site conditions, the condition of the tools and equipment that are being used and provides safety coaching to the volunteers, as needed. The specific safety issues associated with the day’s tasks will be discussed with the House Leaders and Crew Leaders prior to the arrival of the volunteers at the work site and then will be discussed with the volunteers prior to beginning the work. Safety Training Meetings are scheduled Thursday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 13 6 PM.

To volunteer as a Site Safety Observer, contact Claudia Moran or Rick Simoncelli.

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4. Crew/Safety Scheduler

Position Filled

It is the job of the Crew/Safety Scheduler to recruit new, and schedule the returning crew leaders and safety observers. We aim for four crew leaders per build day and one site safety observer. This scheduler questions each of the volunteers about their availability and skills, then sets up a calendar for the entire build which is sent to all crew and safety personel. The scheduler calls or emails their volunteers the week before they are scheduled as a reminder. These volunteers can be from either church or Citigroup.

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5. Church Scheduler

Position Filled

It is the job of the Church Scheduler to schedule the churches. Habitat provides us with a schedule of work and number of volunteers needed on any particular day. We are responsible for half and Citigroup for half. This scheduler contacts each Project Leader and gathers information about the number of possible volunteers that church is likely to provide and determines if there are any church conflicts to schedule around (church picnics, dedications, etc.) They set up the schedule, get it to the Project Leaders and then do a reminder call or email the week before.

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6. Family Partner

Position Available

Habitat for Humanity St. Louis aims to meet the needs of families both physically and emotionally. Moving into a new home for the first time can be an overwhelming challenge. Habitat families need guidance, reassurance, and encouragement to become independent and successful homeowners. The Family Partnership Program has been developed to meet these needs.

Our 11-church Episcopal Habitat for Humanity Project is looking for an individual to serve as the Family Partner for our next Homeowner, that is, the family who will move into the house that we build. It is a one-year commitment. The role of the Family Partner is primarily one of support and friendship. You will find your own unique way of developing this relationship with your family. One of the most challenging parts of your job will be to determine when support requires a helping hand, and when it requires encouragement in independence. A new home with no interest payments can be the beginning point that allows families to turn their lives around economically, and perhaps even socially, educationally and spiritually. You are there to assist in that transformation.

You are primarily responsible and accountable to Habitat’s Family Support Committee. From time to time you, as the liaison between Habitat and your family, will need to communicate directly with the Executive Director, Construction Coordinator, and others involved with Habitat. Your responsibilities will begin when the Homeowner is selected and will continue until the family moves into their house. Here are some specific expectations:

1. Attend Sponsor orientation dinner at the Habitat office where you will be partnered with your family.
2. Attend Family Support Committee meetings the 3rd Thursday of every month from 6 to 7 at Habitat office at 3763 Forest Park
3. Keep contact with your family at least once a week.
4. When the build begins:
   • Remind your family to be on site by 7:45 AM.
   • Assist in keeping track of your sweat equity hours and theirs.
   • When possible, be present on the construction site on build days to assist your family in building their house. Your time will count towards their required 450 sweat equity hours. You are NOT REQUIRED to be their every week.
   • Assist with transportation if needed.
5. Help plan the house dedication with the sponsor.
6. Accompany the family in picking up one-month supply of food from the St. Louis food bank
7. Attend pre-closing meeting and closing with your family if possible.

This important volunteer position is the most rewarding job that Habitat has to offer. If you are interested and would like to talk with someone about it, please contact Claudia Moran at 314-725-0575.

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