AmeriCorps VISTA Build Day Coordinator

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 

Key Responsibility: Volunteer Coordination and Relationship Management (30%)  

In partnership with the Corporate and Volunteer Programs teams, the VISTA Build Day Coordinator supports the development and refinement of systems that guide how volunteer groups and individuals engage with Habitat Chicago’s build sites. This includes strengthening workflows for volunteer inquiries, scheduling, confirmations, and follow-up communication, as well as improving tools such as calendars, registration materials, and team build guides. The VISTA helps ensure volunteer communications consistently reflect Habitat Chicago’s mission and values, while documenting best practices that staff can use to steward relationships with corporate, nonprofit, workforce development, and community groups over time. 

Key Responsibility: Build Day Logistics Coordination (45%) 

Working collaboratively with the Volunteer Programs, Corporate, and Construction teams, the VISTA Build Day Coordinator contributes to the long-term success of build days by enhancing planning and logistics infrastructure. The role focuses on mapping and documenting processes related to volunteer readiness, safety preparation, supply coordination, and site logistics. By creating checklists, timelines, and planning tools, the VISTA helps staff prepare for volunteer build days more efficiently and consistently. This work supports smoother coordination between office staff and construction teams while ensuring that volunteer experiences are safe, welcoming, and well-organized without the VISTA serving as primary on-site support. 

Key Responsibility: Program Administration and Reporting (25%) 

The VISTA Build Day Coordinator supports continuous improvement of Habitat Chicago’s volunteer engagement efforts through program documentation, data analysis, and reporting support. This includes strengthening systems for tracking volunteer participation, engagement trends, and feedback; maintaining organized records in databases such as Salesforce and VolunteerHub; and assisting with the development of stories and visuals that support reporting and recognition efforts. The VISTA may participate in limited volunteer activities for observational and learning purposes to inform system improvements. 

Organizational Expectation: Leadership and Teamwork  

As a member of the Habitat Chicago team, the Specialist contributes to a collaborative, value-driven organizational culture. They maintain a team-first mindset, support colleagues across departments, and participate in organization-wide events and initiatives as needed. The role requires consistent engagement with volunteers, staff, donors, customers, community partners, and program participants, modeling excellent customer service, communication, and mission-driven professionalism in all interactions.  

Organizational Expectation: Professional growth and skill development:  

The Specialist embraces opportunities for continual growth and adapts to evolving business needs. They demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges and tasks by contributing to special projects and initiatives as needed.    

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties nor required skills. Employees may occasionally perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities to meet the needs of the organization. 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Outstanding customer-service skills and the ability to respond quickly and compassionately to volunteers, community contacts, donors, program participants, and others. 
• Self-motivated and able to work independently. 
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, grammar, and speaking. 
• Superb organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Ability to organize and manage information from a variety of sources and formats. 
• Ability to balance multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines. 
• Commitment to problem solving, continuous improvement, curiosity, and personal development.  
• Computer competence, including but not limited to Microsoft Office and database software (Salesforce or similar database CRM experience is a plus) 
• Personal volunteer experience 
• Understanding and enthusiasm for Habitat for Humanity philosophy and willingness to advocate its mission. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred 

Education and Experience 

• 1-2 years of previous work experience with nonprofits is desirable but not required. 
• Experience with administrative responsibilities, logistics or volunteer coordination, events, or customer service preferred 

AmeriCorps members will receive a monthly living stipend, health plan benefits, worker’s compensation, and loan deferral. Habitat Chicago provides an additional $250 stipend for food and transportation in the form of a gas gift card or grocery gift card, as well as $700 in housing stipend. Members receive an education award at the completion of their term of service (1700 hours).