Our Construction Leaders provide guidance and direction to the unskilled and semi-skilled people who actually perform the construction tasks.

House Leader
Partners with the Construction Manager or Site Supervisor to direct and supervise the Crew Leaders, Site Safety Observer 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 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 Leaders and crews. This individual should be able to delegate tasks and responsibilities, while providing leadership and motivation to the volunteer crew. 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 Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays during blitz weeks; 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. There are often 10 to 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 three to four 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. 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. Habitat conducts Crew Leader training classes periodically, which enable volunteers to increase their involvement and learn construction tasks. Crew Leaders are needed Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays during blitz weeks; 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 only works 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 weeks or multiple Saturdays. Habitat conducts Task Leader trainings periodically throughout the year. Task Leaders are needed Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays during blitz weeks and Saturdays, throughout our entire build.

Site Safety Observer
The Site safety Observer, observes the work activities of the volunteers that work during the blitz and on Saturdays. This is a person who has become familiar with the HFHSL House Leader's Safety Manual, which includes the Fall Protection Plan (training is available). 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. Habitat conducts training periodically throughout the year.Site Safety Observers are needed Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays during blitz weeks and Saturdays, throughout our entire build.

Revised 09-Jan-08