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Habitat does more than build homes and faith. It also builds leaders. Habitat provides hands-on training and mentorship for new leaders. You will develop new construction and leadership skills while at the same time enriching your community. You will have the opportunity to build a team and build a home from the ground up. Habitat is looking for new leaders to share in this challenge!
It's the job of Habitat House Leaders, Crew Leaders, Task Leaders and Site Safety Observers to make sure that a volunteer's efforts are rewarded. Habitat leaders further ensure that homes are built and volunteer efforts are well utilized. As the need for more Habitat homes grows, so does the need for more Habitat leaders.
We know that often people don't volunteer simply because they have not been asked. On behalf of the thousands of people needing homes in St. Louis, please ask your friends to consider becoming a Habitat volunteer construction leader. We need volunteers and leaders so that "one house at a time we can change lives forever." As Jim Kennedy, a long-time Habitat house leader says, "Go ahead and make the call. We'll teach you what you need to know, as long as you are willing to help others."
On behalf of Habitat Saint Louis and all of our wonderful partners, we want to give a special thank you to all of our volunteer construction leaders. You make our mission possible.
How could we build houses without someone who knows what to do? We can't! We are looking for Construction Leaders. If you read the description below and say "I could do that", please see the "Next Steps to Leadership"!
Habitat Volunteer Construction Leadership Roles
HOUSE LEADER
Partners with the HFHSL Project Manager to direct and supervise the Crew Leaders, Task Leaders, Site Safety Observers, and volunteers. It is possible for two to three qualified people to share this responsibility throughout the duration of the build. The House Leader should have the experience required to guide the Crew Leaders/Task Leaders through most aspects of residential home construction. This person also should have experience in reading construction documents, developing a work plan for a crew, laying out specific material placement, and accurately explaining the layout to Crew and Task Leaders and volunteer groups. The House Leader also serves as a liaison between Habitat for Humanity and the sponsor group by insuring Habitat equipment is returned, and by attending House Leader meetings, training sessions, and other relevant activities. House Leaders are needed Fridays, & Saturdays, during blitz weekends, and Saturdays throughout our entire build.
CREW LEADER
The Crew Leader's principal function is to coach the volunteers to produce acceptable results in a safe manner. A Crew Leader can usually guide four to five unskilled or semi-skilled volunteers. Crew Leaders demonstrate tasks, maintain standards, monitor safety, and assure that the volunteers have enough meaningful work to have a satisfying experience. A Crew Leader should be a people person, possess some basic construction aptitude, enjoy leadership, and be able to learn tasks quickly and then demonstrate those tasks to others. Crew Leaders are needed Fridays, & Saturdays, during blitz weekends, and Saturdays throughout our entire build.
TASK LEADER
The Task Leader coaches volunteers to complete a specialized task at the worksite. A Task Leader for framing works only on framing days of the blitz week, while a painting Task Leader works only on finishing Saturdays. The Task Leader could lead a team to execute a specific task during one or more blitz days or multiple Saturdays. Task Leaders are needed Fridays, & Saturdays, during blitz weekends, and Saturdays throughout our entire build.
SITE SAFETY OBSERVER The Site Safety Observer observes the work activities of the volunteers on the build site. This is a person who has become familiar with the HFHSL House Leader's Safety Manual. This person performs audits of the work site conditions and the condition of the tools and equipment that are being used. This person also provides safety coaching for the volunteers, as needed. The Site Safety Observer discusses specific safety issues associated with the day's tasks with the House Leaders and Crew Leaders prior to the arrival of the volunteers at the work site, and then with the volunteers prior to beginning the work. Site Safety Observers are needed Fridays, & Saturdays, during blitz weekends, and Saturdays throughout our entire build.
Download a Construction Leadership Brochure (1508KB pdf) today!
Next Steps to Leadership
Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis started a partnership with St. Louis Community College Continuing Education at Forest Park in 2008. The partnership between St. Louis Community College and Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis is about spreading the reach of Habitat to be able to recruit, train, and retain more and more volunteer construction leaders every year.
Through this partnership we are able to provide construction leadership with the necessary tools to be successful construction leaders on our site. There are three prerequisite courses, Diversity & Mentoring, Construction Leadership & Blueprint Reading, and LEED & Safety, which everyone takes. Once those three courses are complete, one can take any of the specialized task courses offered.
As a crew leader trainee completes courses he/she is required to complete a field day on the build site in which they will learn how to complete tasks the "Habitat" way, under the supervision of the instructor, House Leader, or Habitat Construction Staff. However, if you are an industry professional and/or have several years experience in a particular area we will have you talk with our Director of Construction and/or our Construction Manager. Once you have shared your previous experiences with them they will determine if additional courses are necessary. Sometimes volunteers with previous construction experience catch on to "the Habitat way" rather quickly and other times they may need to see how we do it.
To see a current list of course offerings visit the St. Louis Community College Continuing Education course offerings. Select the current term (i.e. *Cont. Ed Spring 2012), then choose location click the box next to "Forest Park". Next select your subject "CONS-Construction". Under course number - title, select "CONS You will need to select the -Construction Methods", then scroll down and click "Display Classes", to view the list of available classes.
STEPS TO LEADERSHIP
- Read the Construction Leader Process Overview (62k pdf).
- Register online for classes at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.
- Attend class and sign up for your field day.
- Participate in a field day for each class.
- Sign up to lead volunteers as a construction leader! Don't fret we're flexible; you can work as little or as much as you like! 1, 2, 3, or 4 Saturdays a month...it is up to you!
IMPORTANT NOTES: All classes are taught by Habitat staff and/or volunteers on the Forest Park campus or Habitat construction build site. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to be construction leaders. There is a nominal fee for attending each class which helps defray facility and material costs.
Course topics include the following:
- Construction Leadership & Blueprint Reading
- LEED & Safety
- Framing
- Siding, Windows, Flashing & Soffits
- Flooring & Stair Basics
Want a detailed description (59k pdf) of each class?
For questions contact Jacinta Witherspoon, Volunteer Services Manager at jacinta@habitatstl.org or 314-371-0400 ext. 627.
What if I need community service for school or for the courts?
Please visit the Community Service page for more information.
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