Join Our Team
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.
Open Positions:
Office & Community Organizer (Durham)
Applications are due by Friday, April 15, 2022
Position Overview:
This position is responsible for both bottom-lining office operations in the Durham office and leading CEF’s organizing efforts with Members in our Durham office. The Office and Community Organizer creates a welcoming, healing-centered office environment that emphasizes each person as creative, resourceful, and whole.
Position Responsibilities:
Office Services: (50%)
- Welcome staff, Advocates, and Members into the office and orient them to the space (i.e., where bathrooms are, waiting area, meeting spaces, water, coffee)
- Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with clients, their families, their significant others, coworkers, supervisors, other service agencies, and the community
- Manage all COVID-19 screenings for everyone who enters the office (ex: staff, Advocates, Members)
- Make appointments for members by phone, text, and email
- Manage CEF’s calendar, reschedule double-bookings, and notify Members of their appointments
- Follow-up with all voicemails and messages left on the Durham Office phone and in the Voicemail Slack channel
- Maintain and organize office records including Orientation materials, Member folders, and Member feedback surveys
- Make sure Advocates have the materials needed for meetings
- Maintain systems for mail collection, delivery, and office supply management (pens, paper, toner for printer, tape, staples, stamps, coffee, water)
- Support basic office operations including faxing, scanning, and printing
- Process CEF savings account transactions
- Work with Advocate Program Coordinator and Member Services Coordinator to determine office closures
- Maintain Member confidentiality at all times
- Spearhead the Food Pantry including processes around data collection and distribution
- Cover the front desk during all of CEF’s office hours, this includes some evening hours
- This position is an in-office position with some remote work determined with supervisor
Advocacy (40%)
- Organize and plan activities for community building and monthly advocacy meetings of Members and Advocates (Time + Talents) to strategize around advocacy initiatives
- Lead Time + Talents in planning public events, including marches and rallies, to bring attention to necessary systems change, based on groups decided strategy
- Work alongside volunteer Advocacy coordinator to provide supervision and coordinate logistical support for Time + Talents
- Identify Members who are interested in deepening their engagement in community change work and coordinate skill-building opportunities to build Member power
- Document events and meetings through social media communications, newsletters to Members, and picture archive
- Collaborate with and attend (when possible) other housing advocacy efforts such as Durham CAN, Poor People’s Campaign, Durham for All, and other public meetings discussing Durham Housing Authority, housing issues, and eviction diversion
- Attend CEF Housing team at least once a month
- Coordinate with Durham Housing team to learn about housing resources, community information, and initiatives
CEF Team Member (10%)
- Attend and participate in all regularly scheduled team meetings and supervision meetings (remote and in-person)
- Communicate with team about any office management changes
- Work collaboratively with team members when necessary
- Engage actively in leading CEF’s advocacy efforts in Durham
- 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
Position Qualifications (Required unless indicated as “preferred”):
- Excellent communication skills
- Some organizing skills preferred
- Engaging and collaborative leadership style, with an ability to inspire and motivate volunteers and Members alike
- Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail, with ability to follow-through on many simultaneous projects and tasks; experience with implementing and managing projects preferred
- Experience and comfort working with people across abilities and neurological differences, and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, educational, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds
- Clear analysis of structural racism and socioeconomic inequity and willingness to learn and grow
- Bilingual or bicultural skills desirable, but not required
- Facility with technology, including a willingness to learn new technologies
- Preferred experience working with underserved communities and people at all levels of abilities
- Ability to report notes and data in timely, confidential manner
- Operate and be willing to learn more about from the following philosophies: person-centered approach, trauma-informed care, harm-reduction, patient empowerment, and motivational interviewing
- Shared commitment to CEF’s mission
- Applicants with experience of poverty/financial insecurity and/or homelessness are preferred
Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried position. This position is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $37,000/year. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; a 401(k) plan with 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 or submit weekly negative test results.
To Apply:
Please submit (1) cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) contact information for three references to hiring@communityef.org with the subject “DU – Office and Community Organizer” by Friday, April 15, 2022. Your cover letter should speak directly to why you are interested in this position, why you are a great candidate for the position, and one goal you would have for advocacy efforts in the first year in this position. The position will begin on May 1, 2022.
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. Thank you for your interest! Please contact hiring@communityef.org with any questions.
Advocate Program Coordinator (Chapel Hill)
Applications accepted on a rolling basis, priority deadline April 13, 2022 – open until filled
Position Summary:
The Advocate Program Coordinator (APC) is a member of the core program staff in the CEF Chapel Hill office. This position leads recruitment, training, coordination, and support for the activities of 60-80 volunteer Advocates and 3+ volunteer leadership teams. The APC serves as co-Lead of the Chapel Hill office with the Member Services Coordinator (MSC) and collaborates closely with its counterpart in the CEF Durham office to steward a trauma-informed, anti-racist Advocate program centered around relationship-based support.
Responsibilities:
Advocate Program Stewardship & Supervision (45%)
- Recruit, select, and support dedicated Advocate volunteers, summer interns, and seasonal staff to support CEF leadership teams.
- Develop, adapt, and lead interactive training content to share CEF’s foundational practices in relationship-based support; cultivate awareness of structural inequities, oppression, and trauma-informed care; and foster ongoing opportunities for reflection and learning.
- Coordinate office hour sign-ups, absences, and coverage for Advocates, including supporting Advocates with self-care and co-care practices.
- Serve as a conduit between Advocates and organization-wide visioning and development.
- Steward the Advocate accountability process to increase volunteer retention and ensure volunteers have the support they need to show up fully in their Advocate hours.
- Supervise 2-5 full-time and part-time summer interns.
- Provide empowering mentorship and general support to Advocates.
- Supervise the following Advocate Leadership Teams:
- Advocate Training Team
- Member Advocate Coordination (MAC) Team
- Outreach & Communications Team
- Co-Teach Social Work 490: Tools for Financial Coaching and Economic Justice through the UNC School of Social Work
- Collaborate with the Durham APC and the Member Services & Programs Manager to conduct annual program evaluations and guide Advocate Program strategies and priorities.
In-Office Support for Members and Advocates (25%)
- Provide several hours per week of in-office staff support to support Advocates and Members, ensure delivery of quality member services, and promote office policies and boundaries, especially regarding emotional and physical safety.
- Provide support to Advocates & Members in situations when policies are broken
- Co-facilitate weekly case-conferencing to ensure quality Member services and Advocate learning, growth and retention.
- Provide excellent relationship-based care coordination for CEF Members.
Geography Co-Lead (20%)
- Co-facilitate weekly staff meetings with the CH Member Services Coordinator.
- Co-coordinate office closure practices with the CH Office & Community Organizer.
- Co-Coordinate office orientation and onboarding of all new Advocates and staff.
- Coordinate the annual CEF-CH Graduation Celebration, Financial Independence Day, and Holiday Party.
- Serve as the Chapel Hill Technology Lead responsible for onboarding and training volunteers and staff to technology platforms including Google Suite, Slack, Asana, and Salesforce.
- Promote high-quality data collection.
CEF Team Member (10%)
- Work regularly with Members as an Advocate, an expectation for all staff.
- Actively participate in CEF staff meetings, caucuses, retreats, board meetings, and organizational decision-making.
- Contribute to all Chapel Hill staff meetings, as well as be an active member of the Member Services Leadership Team.
Relevant Skills & Qualifications:
- Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail; ability to follow through on simultaneous projects, including daily tasks and longer-term visioning.
- Experience managing projects.
- The ability to work well with people across race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability status, education level, religion, and other diverse identities and experiences.
- Strong skills as an engaging trainer and facilitator.
- Engaging and collaborative leadership style with empowering mentorship for volunteers.
- Availability for regular evening and weekend hours to accommodate volunteer schedules.
- Facility with technology, including willingness to learn new technologies.
- Creative, comfortable taking initiative, and works well independently.
- Bilingual or bicultural skills preferred but not required.
Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried position. This position is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $38,000/year. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; a 401(k) plan with 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 or submit weekly negative test results.
Please submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) contact information for three references to hiring@communityef.org with the subject “CH – APC”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of April 13th. Your cover letter should speak to: your interest in working with CEF; one goal you would have for your first year in this position; and the experiences and qualities that will make you a great fit. The position will begin on June 6, 2022.
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. Thank you for your interest! Please contact hiring@communityef.org with any questions.
Member Resource Specialist (Chapel Hill)
Applications accepted on a rolling basis, priority deadline May 15, 2022 – open until filled
Position Summary:
The Member Resource Specialist (MRS) is a full-time position focused on cultivating resources that supplement our Member Services in targeted content areas. In addition to providing in-office support for CEF Members and Advocates as a member of the Chapel Hill team, the MRS will be responsible for leading our efforts to grow targeted program services focused on housing and employment. In the future, the MRS may focus on additional services including financial coaching, resource development, and longitudinal data tracking. This position will have responsibility onsite in CEF’s Chapel Hill office with flexibility for off-site work and will report directly to the Chapel Hill Member Services Coordinator.
Responsibilities:
In-Office Support for Members and Advocates (25%)
- Provide 8-10 hours per week of in-office staff support to support Advocates and Members, ensure delivery of quality member services, and promote office policies and boundaries, especially regarding emotional and physical safety.
- Support general office operations with other staff members including mail, phones, walk-ins, scheduling, member surveys, etc.
- Contribute to weekly case-conferencing at team meetings to provide support when navigating complex or crisis situations.
- Provide excellent relationship-based care coordination for CEF Members.
Fair Chance Hiring Project (20%)
- Manage a partnership with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) centered around the Fair Chance Hiring Certification Program (FCHCP) in Orange County.
- Plan and host educational events for both employers, like-minded organizations, and community members to learn about Fair Chance Hiring practices and our specific program.
- Conduct outreach to local business owners and employers to spread the word about the FCHCP and grow our network of local businesses committed to Fair Chance practices.
- Check in regularly with businesses to ensure Fair Chance practices are being implemented and to provide additional resources and educational opportunities to business owners and employers.
First-Time Homebuyers Pilot Project (20%)
- Work with CH Member Services Coordinator to create and maintain relevant partnerships that will strengthen the program.
- Recruit participants for a first-time homebuyer cohort in Orange County.
- Organize monthly first-time homebuyer education workshops – including scheduling presenters, gathering materials, confirming attendance, and providing snacks.
- Follow-up with participants in between monthly workshops to ensure they are receiving the support services they need, including scheduling regular meetings with CEF to participate in financial coaching sessions.
- Track participant attendance and progress towards savings goals.
- Communicate with savings team when a participant has met all of the requirements for their savings match.
Resources and Financial Coaching (RFC) Team (10%)
- Participate as a member of the Resources and Financial Coaching (RFC) Team, the team responsible for building and updating new Member Goals and financial coaching modules in our Salesforce system, Connect.
- Attend biweekly meetings to test and case conference updates to Member Goals and resources in our Resource Database, discuss development priorities, and write and review soft code for upcoming updates.
- Take lead on managing the development status and testing of content-specific Member Goals and resources such as the Working on Employment Member Goal.
Workforce and Income Team (10%)
- Coordinate and facilitate biweekly meetings with a Workforce and Income Team (WIT) of 3-4 Advocates where you will deliver employment and training-related programming.
- Empower WIT Advocates to support employment resource building and development while managing their progress and addressing their questions.
- Author and organize a biweekly newsletter with job and training opportunities for Members.
- Form and deepen relationships with like-minded organizations to advance shared employment-related missions.
Direct Member Employment Support Coordination (5%)
- Manage a list of 50+ Members who are actively searching for employment opportunities by conducting bi-weekly check-in calls to update how best to provide individualized support.
- Maintain accurate employment search updates on Member’s profiles to track continued progress and inform Advocates for their meetings with Members.
CEF Team Member (10%)
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- Actively participate in CEF staff meetings, caucuses, retreats, board meetings, and organizational decision-making.
- Participate in Chapel Hill staff meetings, as well as all-staff meetings.
Relevant Skills & Qualifications:
- Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail; ability to follow through on simultaneous projects, including daily tasks and long-term projects.
- Experience managing projects and case-management responsibilities in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- The ability to work well with people across race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability status, education level, religion, and other diverse identities and experiences.
- An aptitude for database management and technical skills with an ability to learn how to soft code.
- Availability for regular evening and weekend hours to accommodate volunteer schedules.
- Experience with technology and willingness to learn new technologies including but not limited to Salesforce, Google Suite, Slack, and Asana.
- Creative, comfortable taking initiative, and works well independently.
- Bilingual or bicultural skills are preferred but not required.
Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried position. This position is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $36,000/year. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; a 401(k) plan with 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 or submit weekly negative test results.
Please submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) contact information for three references to hiring@communityef.org with the subject “Member Resource Specialist”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of May 15 and will remain open until filled. Your cover letter should speak to your interest in working with CEF, one goal you would have for your first year in this position, and the experiences and qualities that will make you a great fit. The position will begin on July 5.
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. Thank you for your interest! Please contact hiring@communityef.org with any questions.
