Construction and Real Estate VISTA - 2024-25

Construction and Real Estate VISTA

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 VISTA members are Volunteers in Service to America who perform indirect service to build capacity and sustainable solutions.

What will you do?

The Construction and Real Estate VISTA member is responsible for supporting the Project Management team and VP of Construction and Real Estate with land acquisition activities, due diligence on potential real estate transactions, construction operations, and departmental organization and streamlining. The VISTA's support will help facilitate affordable housing construction in and around the Richmond area. This position may be tailored to align with the AmeriCorps VISTA's interests and skill set. Evaluate current construction procedures and develop and implement a plan to improve or expand the organization's construction operations.

• Explore the real estate acquisition and construction software systems that are currently in place and identify best practices and additional needs to formalize workflows related to all facets of construction delivery.
• Develop and document an enhanced construction operations plan that will address the needs of the host site. The plan should address construction preparation, planning, scheduling, home repairs, green building, and work site safety, as well as other areas of need identified during the exploration phase.
• Implement the new construction operations program. Assist the site in testing and evaluating the various parts of the program developed and revise the program as needed to ensure success.
• Ensure that the construction operations program is sustainable, continuing at the host site after the completion of the VISTA term by developing manuals and training staff and volunteers on the new program.

This position will focus on home construction, neighborhood revitalization, and research, monitoring, and/or evaluation aspects of Habitat affiliate operations.

Where will you serve?

• Organization name: Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity
• Nearest metropolitan area: Richmond, VA
• Full-time staff: 24
• Expected number of AmeriCorps members: 6
• Number of homes to be built: 13
• Activities and attractions: Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, and becoming an independent city in 1871, history is big part of what makes Richmond a great place to explore and live. Several notable events have occurred in the city, including Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in 1775 at St. John's Church, and the passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom written by Thomas Jefferson. We even have an entire district of museums to learn more! The city is located along the James River with many beautiful parks, offering locals and visitors the opportunity for many outdoor adventures. We are a city with many restaurants whose atmospheres as unique as their menus. RVA is also located about an hour and a half from the ocean (VA Beach), an hour and a half from the mountains, and an hour and a half from Washington DC!
• Unique projects: We have two land acquisition opportunities that we are hoping come through for us in the next few months. These parcels offer us an opportunity to be innovative and create a much-needed pipeline of housing in the years ahead. The VISTA would have the opportunity to assist and learn from the actions needed to make those opportunities and developments a reality in the coming years.

Benefits of AmeriCorps service

• Living allowance of $24,893.96 for one year of service.
• Segal Education Award of $7,395 (lifetime maximum of two full education awards) OR end-of-service cash stipend of approximately $1,800, upon successful completion of service.
• Forbearance for most federally-guaranteed student loans.
• Health care benefits and enrollment in Employee Assistance Plan.
• 10 personal and 10 medical leave days.
• Personal and professional development opportunities.
• Child care benefits, if you qualify.
• Noncompetitive eligibility status for federal employment for one year after successful completion of service.
• Relocation assistance: Mileage and a $750 settling in allowance for members relocating more than 50 miles to serve.

Supplemental Benefits

• Grocery gift card ($500 per month)

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens or is a person residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status. Applicants must be 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.