Community Development Specialist

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter joined forces to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in our Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with emergency basic needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable and supportive housing for persons of low and moderate income, as well as HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

The Community Engagement Specialist is an at-will position that assists the Real Estate & Community Development department in preparing, administering and promoting outreach services (ie, renters rights/responsibilities, homeownership training workshops) and activities aimed at both our internal and community partners/collaborative groups, civic groups, small and non-profit business and a variety of other grassroots' type organizations. This individual will provide a wide variety of administrative functions under the direction of the Director of Housing & Community Development involving work of a confidential and complex nature.

Responsibilities & Duties

Responsibilities: Community Engagement

• Plan, facilitate and execute town hall meetings

• Assist in planning, facilitating and execution of annual community leadership projects. Along with tracking progress and grant compliance for the project.

• Attend, engage and represent Lighthouse in community partner/collaborative meetings

• Plan, facilitate and execute quarterly & annual workshops/activities for our housing developments both self managed and third party managed.

• Complete funder reports as assigned,

• Assist in planning, facilitating, executing & tracking the organization’s community building & engagement activities

• Participate in appropriate staff and team meetings,

• Carry out any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Responsibilities: Real Estate Development

• Collect and track monthly rent for self managed units (total of 23 units)

• Be the first point of contact for tenants as related to complaints, work orders & grievances

• Keep tenant files updated and complete annual recertifications

Responsibilities Administrative:

• Provide time-sensitive data reports for leadership staff, funders, and board,

• Work with program directors to update Neighborworks reporting data quarterly

• Research grant opportunities for the Real Estate & Community Development Department

• Actively monitors public programs that support community development initiatives

Responsibilities: General

• Attend trainings and workshops to enhance professional development and represent Lighthouse,

• Uphold agency values to maintain a safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Lived or professional experience working with people experiencing homelessness or extreme levels of poverty in the US.

• Associates degree or equivalent experience

• 1-2 years’ experience in a role directly or indirectly related to human/social services

• Ability to pass a rigorous background check including child welfare screenings and clearances

• Reliable transportation

• Valid driver’s license, Lighthouse reserves that right to require a driving record check with respect to any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.

• Knowledgeable in with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps,

• Flexibility and the capacity to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment

• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast paced environment

• Ability to work with a challenging and diverse population

Preferred Qualifications

• BSW from a 4-year accredited college or university or master’s degree in a related field

• 2+ years’ experience in a role directly or indirectly related to a human/social services with some youth experience

• An understanding of the social constructs impacting those experiencing economic instability,

• Knowledge of the social services landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas

• Ability to self-regulate and work independently while coordinating with other staff

• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving

• Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First training

• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams

• Ability to build consensus and resolve conflict; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations.

• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral.

• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively.

• Possess high emotional intelligence skills.

• Unwavering personal integrity.

• Ability to work in a fast paced, demanding, constantly changing environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds. Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.