Twin Cities Habitat -- Government and Community Relations Director – Full Time

Job Announcement

Lead a staff team responsible for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s (TCHFH) Government and Community Relations functions and Transforming Hearts & Minds strategic initiative: Educational programs; Community outreach and organizing; Public Policy Advocacy; and State and Local Government relationships. Conduct advocacy through engagement of stakeholders including volunteers, supporters, partner families and staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, implement, and manage on-going process of establishing and articulating TCHFH public policy priorities
• Develop and implement an outreach strategy to engage stakeholders in shaping and advising TCHFH positions
• Develop and leverage relationships with housing advocates in the region
• Connect TCHFH advocacy work with the HFHI advocacy initiative
• Recruit, supervise, train, and organize interested stakeholders in advocacy efforts
• Develop methods and opportunities for advocacy and lobbying including writing action alerts and event planning
• Develop and utilize technology to support advocacy efforts, including e-advocacy, action alerts, and web technology
• Ensure accordance with requirements for non-profits engaged in lobbying
• Lobby the legislative agenda with appropriate law makers
• Create and implement overall community outreach goals and specific strategies for increasing local involvement in Habitat projects throughout the metro area.
• Oversee expansion of TCHFH’s Housing Matters! program to increase awareness, knowledge and action in support of affordable housing
• Manage CHDO, local government relations for TCHFH with city, county and regional governmental units, and develop priorities and maintain relationships with builders and developers
• Acquire a minimum of $2 MM in public funding annually, through sources such as Minnesota Housing Finance Agency & HFHI to support TCHFH mission initiatives; manage, plan and execute department budget
• Lead team of assigned staff
  

Requirements:
Bachelors degree, preferably in public policy, political science, housing studies or community organizing, Master’s degree preferred. Candidates must have at least 8 years experience in policy development, issues advocacy and community organizing/citizens mobilization with at least 3 years supervisory experience. Experience with housing policy is highly preferred.

Ability to meet deadlines, use time efficiently, prioritize, work independently and as an effective team member is necessary. Good written and oral communication skills along with presentation skills are needed. Candidates must be able to work under pressure to handle frequent change, delays and/or unexpected events. Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work with a variety of people and occasionally handle difficult situations & conflicts with finesse is crucial. Excellent negotiation skills are also important. Proficiency with MS Office and applicable technological knowledge to administer e-advocacy software is required.

Candidates must have proven ability to supervise and motivate volunteers.

Most of the work for this job is conducted indoors at a desk, with some off-site meetings, including periodic exposure to dirt, dust, dampness, construction debris, extreme temperatures, construction noises, fumes and odors from working on or visiting residential construction sites.

Valid driver’s license with good driving record is required.

Application deadline: November ??, 2008.
Please submit cover letter, resume, and references to:

HR/Accounting Sr Associate
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
3001 4th St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Fax: 612-331-1540
OR apply online at: https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=XXXXX
AA/EOE