These are our "Help Wanted Ads" for Volunteers. If you would like to be involved with Habitat in any of these areas, please call 371-0400 or email jacinta@habitatstl.org. (Revised 07-Jan-08)

How could we build houses without someone who knows what to do? We can’t! We are looking for Construction Leaders for our 2008 Build. If you read the description below and say “I could do that”, please contact Jacinta at jacinta@habitatstl.org or call 314-371-0400.

Construction Site Volunteer Needs:

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 OBSERVERS: 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.

Can’t nail, can’t paint, no problem!Volunteer as an On-Site Nurse, EMT, On-Site Administrator or Gardener!

NURSES / EMT PERSONNEL: Nurses and EMT personnel are needed to provide First Aid and direction on how to handle a medical situation if necessary, throughout the build site to anyone in need AND of course, if you like, you are welcome to join in and work on the site. We'll just make sure we know where you are working!Nurses / EMT personnel are needed Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays during blitz weeks and Saturdays, throughout our entire build.

ON-SITE ADMINISTRATORS: The On-site Administrator works with the Resource Associate to ensure the volunteers on site have a fulfilling work day. Possible tasks include directing, volunteers to parking and registration, setting up shade canopies, tables, delivering water and ice, helping with catering services, and running errands. Hours may vary from 7 or 7:30 a.m. through 9:30 or 10 a.m. On-site administrators are needed Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays during blitz weeks and Saturdays, throughout our entire build. This can be done on a rotating basis, and construction knowledge is not necessary, but "people skills" are important.

Non-Construction Site Volunteer Needs:

RESTORE VOLUNTEER: The HFHSL ReStore recycles new, used, overstocked, discontinued and salvageable building materials donated by contractors, retailers and individuals. The donated items then are re-sold to the general public to help support HFHSL in their efforts to build decent affordable housing. The ReStore is in need of volunteers to help with daily tasks of in-take of delivered items, organizing donated products, operating the cash register, answering phones and other duties as assigned. You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at the ReStore. Volunteers are needed Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with a minimum commitment of 4 hours.

PHOTOGRAPHER: HFHSL is in need of photography volunteers to help capture build activity as it happens, as well as cover some of our special events. Photos then will be used in various publications and on our website. This is a wonderful opportunity for a photography student looking to build his or her portfolio, or for experienced photographers who are willing to share their time and talents. Schedule and specific assignments will be worked out on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in volunteering in to take photos please contact us today!

DATA ENTRY: HFHSL islooking for volunteers with computer and data entry skills to assist with data entry on an on-going basis. Volunteers should have great attention to detail, be task oriented and be able to work with little supervision. Data entry will take place in our administrative offices; schedule and specific assignments will vary. If you are interested in volunteering please contact us today!

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE MEMBER: Ambassador Committee members help to build community while assisting the Volunteer Coordinator with ensuring the overall volunteer experience is fruitful. These volunteers help with volunteer orientations and on-site administration; host or assist at special recognition lunches and dinners throughout the year; and provide Habitat representation at area volunteer fairs, community events, and partnership activities. Time commitment varies depending on up-coming events, but could be as little as 2-3 hours per month. The Ambassador Committee meets 6 times per year.

FAMILY SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBER: A Family Selection Committee member is a compassionate, caring, organized volunteer, who can do paperwork, is detail oriented and is good at information evaluation. This volunteer also must have people skills and enjoy interaction with applicants. Duties may include file upkeep, planning and executing workshops for applicants, reviewing applications, preparing summaries of information on applicants, scheduling and performing home visits, and various other related duties. Time commitment is as little as four to five hours per month.

FAMILY SUPPORT COMMITTEE MEMBER: A Family Support Committee member works with the HFHSL Family Support & Selection Manager and the homebuyer families prior to, during, and after the build. Committee members help provide guidance and encouragement to the families so they fulfill their obligation of becoming successful homebuyers. Committee members continue to work with families after closing to ensure they adjust to homeownership and are productive, well rounded community members.

LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDER: A licensedvolunteer is needed to baby-sit homebuyers’ children on our premises during educational workshops. Time commitment is typically 2 -3 hours and meetings are generally in the evenings.

GARDEN TOOL PROJECT: There is an ongoing need for a person to coordinate our JVL Community Garden efforts. This includes coordinating use of yard and garden tools in the shared garden shed in the community garden as well as overall gardening work in the family beds in the community gardens in JVL and Hillsdale. This volunteer may also oversee other volunteer helpers as needed. Time commitment is typically during the gardening season. Hours are flexible depending upon your availability.