The HabiCorps Instructor position leads HabiCorps trainees with extensive knowledge and experience through trade-specific hands-on skills training and reinforces job-readiness skills in order to provide trainees with the competence to become gainfully employed in the Landscape/Property Maintenance industry by the conclusion of the 10-month program. Instructor will manage a team of up to 5 trainees, providing day-to- day supervision, skills training and coaching in landscape and property maintenance to include the management of properties from initial clean-up to improvement and beautification. Instructor and trainees will also provide support to HabiCorps construction crews during high volume periods and inclement weather when outdoor work is limited.
As a Level 2 Instructor, the position is responsible for ensuring trainees learn and retain Landscape/Property Maintenance knowledge and hands-on skills, while completing assigned projects safely and on time. Instructors establish and maintain an instructional, team-based atmosphere conducive to learning, ensuring trainees are held accountable to all established policies and procedures. This positon is also responsible for occasionally managing assigned groups of unskilled community volunteers in addition to HabiCorps members on project sites.
Program/Trainee Management
- Work with Physical Asset Manager (PAM), Construction Program Manager (CPM) and AmeriCorps Programs Manager (APM) to plan and lead all trainee site projects
- Possess thorough knowledge of HabiCorps policies and procedures
- Maintain open communication with APM regarding any issues or concerns with trainees including attendance, conduct and any policy infractions
- Work with APM to immediately resolve any trainee policy infractions following established policies and procedures
- Provide on-going formal and informal evaluation of trainee performance. This includes verbal as well as written positive feedback and constructive criticism
- Manage, maintain and inventory landscape vehicles, equipment and supplies
- Maintain positive relationships with community and business partners
Instruction
- Model appropriate professional behavior by arriving on time daily and following all established policies and procedures
- Organize, and lead trainees in daily on-the-job training to include task-specific skills, workplace safety, proper tool and equipment use
- Instruct trainees on project management, landscaping techniques and general property maintenance
- Teach technical skills and information using a variety of teaching techniques to meet trainee needs
- Provide trainees with experience working as a “sub-contractor”, following established flow of work for successful project completion
Planning
- Work with APM to select trainees for recognition/incentives
- Ensure trainees are adequately prepared to successfully lead unskilled volunteer crews
- Complete required paperwork, time sheet correction, reporting, meetings and project scheduling
- Attend construction meeting at least twice monthly
- Attend program staff meetings when scheduled
- Work with APM to plan and create curriculum, projects and identify educational resources
- Ensure equal opportunity and harassment-free environment
- Plan doctor recommended light duty work for any trainee returning from injury or illness
- Community Volunteer Management
- Coordinate with CPM to plan and schedule work on projects for community volunteer groups
- Manage community volunteers on site ensuring safety procedures are followed and conditions are conducive to a positive experience
Safety
- Maintain safety compliance knowledge through required trainings and disseminate to all those who come to a Habitat jobsite
- Maintain a hazard-free, clean workspace
- Understand and operate by safe work practices at all our locations and events to ensure we meet, if not exceed, OSHA and Habitat safety policies and procedures
- Ensure that all team members, trainees and volunteers are aware of and operate by Habitat’s safety policies and procedures at all times
- Report all safety related accidents within 24 hours and initiate proper OSHA and Habitat protocols
Records
- Support APM with maintaining accurate, up-to-date, and timely records of individual trainee activity and HabiCorps Team performance. This includes:
- Approve trainee time-off requests
- Verify trainee time sheet accuracy and approve digital time sheets
- Document site activity and project progress via weekly survey monkey submissions
- Document policy infractions/disciplinary issues
- Complete quarterly activity reports
- Complete individual evaluations for each trainee quarterly
- Provide additional reporting information as needed
- Provide PAM and APM up-to-date information on property conditions and project status using spreadsheet/surveys or other requested forms of documentation
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Minimum of 7 years hands-on Landscape/Property Maintenance background with masonry experience preferred
- Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience preferred
- Excellent knowledge of tools, equipment, landscape techniques, & ability to read and interpret design drawings/plans
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task, set priorities and accomplish goals
- Safely use power & hand tools and operate equipment
- Properly use personal protective equipment
- Follow written and verbal instruction.
- Work independently without direct supervision
- Supervise and teach others in a professional, friendly and direct way
- Use computer and basic office equipment independently. Work in a fast paced, high energy environment
- OSHA 10 certification preferred
- First Aid & CPR certification preferred
- Teaching mindset
- Familiarity with OSHA and governmental guidelines
Personal Attributes
- Employees of HFHC must present full, regular, and predictable attendance, possess the ability to multi-task, be able to communicate effectively, both orally and through written means, possess the ability to analyze and solve problems and be skilled in project management
- HFHC employees must conduct themselves ethically, maintain appropriate confidentiality at all times, respect diversity and inclusion and possess a strong commitment to the organization’s mission and values
- Employees must be results driven, demonstrate Initiative and be capable of stress management and maintenance of composure in challenging circumstances