Member Services Coordinator – Chapel Hill, NC office (Full-time, 40 hrs/wk)

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

About the Community Empowerment Fund:

CEF is a non-profit organization operating in Durham and Orange Counties that is working to end the racial wealth gap by supporting people experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity. We work alongside approximately 250 volunteers and 3,000 Members in their pursuit of employment, secure housing, and financial stability. We are valued by Members and partners for our ability to meet people where they are and walk alongside each individual to achieve personal goals, as well as our collaborative approach to address systemic racism and oppression which causes gaps in our local communities. We are passionate about sustaining transitions out of homelessness, and combine flexible relationship-based support with innovative matched savings accounts, referral networks, resource databases, and programs to support Members in achieving their long-term dreams. Learn more at www.communityef.org.

To discourage practices of negotiating that have historically reinforced larger systems of inequality, CEF posts the amount we are able to offer for each position. All employees have the opportunity to earn raises based on increased competencies in their positions and all employees will receive a 2% annual cost of living increase. Please do not apply to a position if the compensation listed does not meet your requirements.

Position Summary: The Member Services Coordinator (MSC) position is a part of the core program staff of the Chapel Hill office. The MSC stewards all services provided to CEF’s Members in the Chapel Hill office and works collaboratively with the MSC  of CEF’s Durham program to ensure consistent and equitable services across our two geographies. The MSC also maintains CEF Chapel Hill’s relationships with a wide variety of local service providers, and represents CEF in collaborative spaces within Orange County’s human services systems, and will manage special projects specific to the Chapel Hill geography. This position works closely with the Chapel Hill staff team to support office operations, including providing in-person support in the office several days a week, facilitating and supporting teams of volunteers, supervising staff and interns, and participating in and co-facilitating regular staff team meetings. Some of the MSC’s work may be completed remotely,  but most require an in-person presence. When working in the office the MSC is expected to model and hold volunteers and staff accountable to all CEF’s safety procedures associated with COVID.

Responsibilities: 

Partnerships and Special Projects (30%)

• Represent CEF at Orange County service collaborations and partnerships including HOME List coordination and attendance, Coordinated Entry meetings, Local Reentry quarterly meetings and HorizonsWorks advisory yearly meeting
• Steward CEF’s housing voucher referral, coordination process,case management  and communication with the Housing Helpline around referrals to CEF and around housing issues
•  Maintain existing partnerships with nonprofit, government, and community organizations to cultivate two-way referral pathways and service integrations and manage CEF’s referral materials, as well as communicate consistently with partners to ensure effective transmission of necessary information.

Steward Member Services Policies and Practices (25%)

• Participate in collective cross-geography policy and practice-building processes for Member Services (confidentiality, grievances, conflict resolution, etc).
• Participate in cross-training among team to fill in at either office.
• Uphold confidentiality and safety standards.
• Steward an effective case-conferencing system for staff and Advocates to check in, collaborate, and troubleshoot challenges in order to better serve CEF Members.
• Provide technical assistance, along with Advocate Program Coordinator, to CEF’s volunteer leaders and Advocates in providing services to Members and achieving program outcomes.
• Coordinate logistics of language access for Members requiring services in languages other than English.
• Provide program-specific data and anecdotes for use in grant writing and individual donor solicitation.

Team Support and Supervision (20%)

• Provide in-office staff support (minimum of 10 hours) per week ensuring delivery quality of member services, and support the Advocate team in responding to complex or crisis situations that arise.
• Co-facilitate weekly staff meetings for Chapel Hill  team alongside the Advocate Program Coordinator.
• Co-facilitate weekly case conferencing at the MAC team meetings alongside Advocate Program Coordinator to provide resources and support when navigating complex or crisis situations.
• Supervise and lead Chapel Hill’s orientation and intake process for new CEF Members.
• Supervise the following teams (these are all volunteer positions):
  • Member Intake Specialists
  • Housing Team

Resource and Financial Coaching Development and Database Management (15%)

• Create and update listings based on community feedback.
• Train and supervise volunteers to verify the accuracy of information in existing resource database listings.
• Write and design content for Financial Coaching modules to be built into CEF’s interactive Connect database with relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information, functionality, and user interface design to support CEF’s person-centered support model.
• Represent the Chapel Hill office on the Resource and Financial Coaching team.
• Participate in developing evaluation measures for CEF services including processes for tracking Member outcomes.
• Assist with program data collection for funder reporting and dissemination of outcomes for any other requests.
• Lead the Chapel Hill team in implementation of CEF data standards and support data quality in all programs and operations.
• Update and improve the resource database to ensure maximum access for a diverse community of users.
• Manage Orange County content in CEF’s OCConnect.info resource database.

CEF Team Member (10%)

• Actively participate in CEF staff meetings, caucuses, retreats, board meetings, and organizational decision-making.
• Participate in Member Services Leadership Team Meetings.
• Work collaboratively with team members when necessary.
• Engage actively in efforts to improve CEF’s outcomes, impact, and methodologies.
• Embody CEF values and guiding principles, participate meaningfully in meetings, work collaboratively with coworkers, and engage in CEF in ways that are informed by social justice frameworks including, but not limited to relationship-based support, trauma-informed care, harm-reduction, and motivational interviewing.
• Follow CEF financial procedures, including timely reporting of expenses, clear communication around debit card needs, and participation in budget creation.

Position Qualifications (Required unless indicated as “preferred”): 

• Preferred Master’s degree in social work or related fields of Public Policy, Sociology, Psychology, and or Public Administration with a minimum of two years direct service with people experiencing homelessness, case management, or other crisis work;
  • or BS/BA degree with a minimum of five years direct service with people experiencing homelessness or other case management or crisis work;
  • or High School diploma or GED with ten years direct service with people experiencing homelessness, case management, or  crisis work.
• Excellent interpersonal , critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills – ability to work effectively in varied professional, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts with people across abilities and neurological differences, and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, educational, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Compassionate, whole person and healing-centered approach to Member Services.
• Direct service experience and coordination working with individuals who are unhoused and unstably housed or equivalency is a priority.
• Strong understanding of at least three of the following and willingness to learn the others and apply them in organizational, program, and policy design and implementation.
  • Racial Equity
  • Trauma Informed Care/Healing Focused Engagement
  • Transformative Justice
  • Housing First
  • Harm Reduction
• Ability to design and implement systems that build towards efficient, collaborative, and effective cross-sector partnerships.
• Prefer strong group project management, team facilitation, training and individual and group supervision skills including an understanding of complex group dynamics.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, preference for experience with client file maintenance in a social service setting.
• Comfortable with and/or willing to learn new communications technology and database systems (i.e., Slack, Asana, Salesforce).
• Works well independently, satisfies deadlines, prioritizes diverse workload effectively and maintains own motivation on multiple long term and short term projects.
• Shared commitment to CEF’s mission.

An ideal candidate will :

• Holds self accountable
• Have case management experience
• Have critical thinking skills
• Have curiosity to learn more
• Have the ability to communicate clearly about needs and boundaries
• Have exceptional listening skills
• Have strong project management and organizational skills
• Have the ability to build supportive and authentic relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time, salaried position. The Member Services Coordinator is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $46,000 in annual salary. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; a 401(k) plan with 4% employer match; optional employee-paid dental and vision; paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave; life insurance; and a professional development stipend. See an outline of CEF’s benefits here. All CEF staff are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit weekly negative test results. This position will start as soon as possible.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter outlining why you are a great fit for this position, resume, and 3 professional references to hiring@communityempowermentfund.org with the subject “Member Services Coordinator.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until filled.

CEF is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQI-identified people, and people with lived experience with homelessness or poverty. 

Advocacy Coordinator – Durham & Chapel Hill Office (Full-time, 40 hrs/wk)

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

About the Community Empowerment Fund:

CEF is a non-profit organization operating in Durham and Orange Counties that is working to end the racial wealth gap by supporting people experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity. We work alongside approximately 250 volunteers and 3,000 Members in their pursuit of employment, secure housing, and financial stability. We are valued by Members and partners for our ability to meet people where they are and walk alongside each individual to achieve personal goals, as well as our collaborative approach to address systemic racism and oppression which causes gaps in our local communities. We are passionate about sustaining transitions out of homelessness, and combine flexible relationship-based support with innovative matched savings accounts, referral networks, resource databases, and programs to support Members in achieving their long-term dreams. Learn more at www.communityef.org.

To discourage practices of negotiating that have historically reinforced larger systems of inequality, CEF posts the amount we are able to offer for each position. All employees have the opportunity to earn raises based on increased competencies in their positions and all employees will receive a 2% annual cost of living increase. Please do not apply to a position if the compensation listed does not meet your requirements.

Position Overview

The Advocacy Coordinator position is a cross geography position that is tasked with coordinating CEF’s advocacy initiatives, in alignment with CEF’s Strategic Plan. The Advocacy Coordinator will work with the frontline staff to determine overall advocacy goals and will provide guidance to ensure CEF’s mission, guiding principles, and values are represented in targeted campaigns and that campaigns and initiatives center on those with lived experience, especially CEF Members. An ideal candidate will not only be passionate about equitable and affordable housing but have demonstrated experience in inspiring others to get involved and advocate for safe and affordable living conditions. The Advocacy Coordinator is a key member of the Community Organizing Team.

 

Position Responsibilities 

Advocacy:

• Coordinate CEF’s organizational advocacy vision with the Executive Director
• Work with Office & Community Organizers to ensure campaigns have synergy across geographies and to determine relevant trainings and workshops for Members and volunteer Advocates involved in CEF’s advocacy efforts
• Build and manage relationships with outside organizations to strengthen CEF’s advocacy efforts and represent CEF at coalition meetings, conferences, and other events
• Work with local stakeholders, elected officials, and their staff to advance campaigns
• Coordinate outreach and communications related to advocacy campaigns – including phone banking CEF Members, creating social media posts, and sharing stories and highlights in CEF’s newsletter, annual reporting, and other internal communications
• Manage relationships with local media outlets to ensure coverage of advocacy campaigns and wins
• Share updates and progress with CEF staff monthly at all staff meetings

Supervision:

• Lead the Advocacy Team including managing work plans, offering mentorship and guidance, and working with frontline staff to implement program strategy
  • Office & Community Organizers (OCO) – 2 people
  • Support Office and Community Organizers in supervising and supporting volunteer Advocate and paid intern teams
• Facilitate and lead Advocacy Team meetings

Office Support:

• Provide a consistent and welcoming in-office presence for Members and Advocates, and responsive support for Pod Leaders during office hours. (The amount of weekly office hours will vary based on seasonal needs by will generally be 10 hours/week.)
• Ensure office policies and safety procedures are followed, and implement capacity-building changes and improvements to office hour-related procedures and practices
• Work one-on-one with Members in the office as necessary, using CEF’s relationship-based support model
• Support the Office and Community Organizers with duties to ensure COVID-19 and safety protocols are followed by staff, volunteer Advocates, and Members
• Learn the staff support procedures for each geography and perform those duties fully

CEF Team Member

• Attend and participate in all regularly scheduled team meetings, caucuses, retreats, supervision, and other activities in Durham and Chapel Hill (remote and in-person)
• Work collaboratively with team members when necessary
• Engage actively in program design and project management efforts to improve CEF’s outcomes, impact, and methodologies
• Embody CEF values and guiding principles, participate meaningfully in meetings, work collaboratively with coworkers, and engage in CEF in ways that are informed by social justice frameworks including, but not limited to relationship-based support, trauma-informed care, harm-reduction, and motivational interviewing
• Follow CEF financial procedures, including timely reporting of expenses, clear communication around debit card needs, and participation in budget creation

Position Qualifications (Required unless indicated as “preferred”) 

• 3-5 years advocacy experience including establishing and managing campaigns
  • Experience with housing advocacy is strongly preferred
  • Experience organizing in Durham and/or Orange Counties, North Carolina strongly preferred
• Community Organizing is preferred
• 1-2 years of experience with facilitation
• 1-2 years of experience as a supervisor
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in varied professional, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts with people across abilities and neurological differences, and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, educational, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to design and implement systems that build towards efficient, collaborative, and effective cross-sector partnerships with community

• Ability to work independently, satisfy deadlines, and effectively prioritize tasks for both long-term and short-term projects
• Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail, with the ability to follow through on many simultaneous projects
• Commitment to CEF’s mission
• Clear analysis of structural racism and socioeconomic inequity, and willingness to continue to learn and grow
• Strong aptitude with Microsoft Office/Google Suite including proficiency with spreadsheets
• Experience with work management and database software (ex. Asana, Slack, Salesforce, and Google products) and willingness to learn new technologies

• Strong group management, team facilitation, and both individual and group supervision skills including an understanding of complex group dynamics, preferred

 

An ideal candidate will have

• A commitment to shared leadership, embodying CEF’s values and guiding principles
• Affirming, empowering, collaborative, and listening-based leadership style, with a strong sense of self-direction and accountability to the community
• Compelling, authentic, and clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to take initiative and complete duties independently, while knowing when to ask for support
• A proven track record of being deeply rooted in the community served
• Preference for someone living in the Triangle area and well-versed in local issues
• Whole person and healing-centered approach to community building

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position. The Advocacy Coordinator is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $44,000 annually. The position requires in-person work, including occasional weekend responsibilities, and the person is expected to live locally. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; 100% employer-paid term life insurance; a 401(k) plan with 4% employer match; optional employee-paid dental and vision; paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave; and a professional development stipend. See an outline of CEF’s benefits here. All CEF staff are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit weekly negative test results.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter outlining why you are a great fit for this position, resume, and 3 professional references to hiring@communityempowermentfund.org with the subject “Advocacy Coordinator.” We strongly encourage sharing your experience managing advocacy campaigns in your cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until filled.

CEF is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQI-identified people, and people with lived experience with homelessness or poverty.