We’re Hiring: BLOCK Shop Production Manager
ABOUT FACING HOMELESSNESS
Facing Homelessness invites all of us to come closer, and to contribute our unique passions and skills toward the effort of ending homelessness. Each of our four key programs is an entry point for community members to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our unhoused neighbors. We are a “Lead with Love” organization, and are committed to honoring the value and dignity of all people with whom we work, serve, and partner.
ABOUT THE BLOCK PROJECT
The BLOCK Project is a community-centered home building program. Through direct relationship- and partnership-building, we create communities of compassion throughout Seattle, engaging individuals and their neighbors to welcome someone experiencing homelessness into their lives. We build permanent dwelling units in willing homeowners' backyards, giving community members an opportunity to house formerly unhoused residents. Each BLOCK Home resident is recommended and supported by our partner Case Management organizations. Our vision is to help end homelessness by building a BLOCK Home and thriving community on every residential block in Seattle.
POSITION SUMMARY
This position reports to and partners closely with the BLOCK Construction Project Manager to achieve the organization’s mission and vision through The BLOCK Project. Unlike other construction initiatives, BLOCK Homes are constructed primarily by volunteers, and a key role of the BLOCK Shop Production Manager is to work in partnership with Facing Homelesness’ Community Programs Manager to recruit, train, guide, and encourage our extensive community-based BLOCK Volunteers in their work to prefabricate homes, construct them onsite, landscape the property, and celebrate each completed construction project. The BLOCK Shop Manager manages day to day operations at the BLOCK Shop including inventory management, storage, communications, and scheduling. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports directly to the BLOCK Project Construction Manager, and requires 85-90% of time spent onsite, not remote.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
General
● Manage the volunteer schedule and ensure that work events are enjoyable, promote compassion, are educational, and elevate a positive health and safety culture.
● Maintain, ensure, and continually improve safety policies as outlined in local city and county regulations as well as The BLOCK Project Safety manual.
● Make continuous improvements for shop processes, and BLOCK home assembly.
● Identify and steward new and existing Facing Homelessness partners and stakeholders.
● Work with Community Programs Manager to coordinate and fulfill volunteer needs and requirements supporting the production and assembly of BLOCK homes.
● Adhere to the budget and contract documents for the BLOCK Project.
● Attend Facing Homelessness staff meetings and support organizational community building activities and events as directed.
BLOCK Shop Management & Production
● Responsible for hands on management of the prefabrication of BLOCK homes to support the BLOCK Project’s Construction goals and objectives.
● Supervise, educate, train and coach volunteers on BLOCK Shop operations and sustainable aspects of the work.
● Manage, organize and continuously improve BLOCK Shop processes and operations.
● Maintain and repair tools, jigs and equipment.
● Effectively and efficiently manage inventory and storage of materials to support production in a timely fashion.
● Lead procurement activities and material orders to support production.
● Maintain documentation required for Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.
● Write a weekly newsletter to regular BLOCK Shop volunteers.
● Manage, document and track all waste from the BLOCK Shop.
Construction Work
● Lead, assist, direct and coordinate all field logistics and efforts with staff, volunteers, property owners and contractors on BLOCK project sites for the site clearing and BLOCK home assembly. ● In partnership with BLOCK Construction Manager, investigate and resolve construction issues or concerns.
● Support and supervise plumbing, solar, and electrical contractors. May assist other craft workers in their trades.
● Manage and assist contractors with performing and completing electrical and plumbing inspections with the appropriate jurisdictions as required.
● Understand, coordinate, and complete building inspections as required with Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.
● Assist BLOCK Project Construction Manager with landscaping work as directed.
QUALIFICATIONS
● Passion for the Facing Homelessness mission.
● 2+ years of combined education/work experience related to construction, engineering, manufacturing or craft work.
● Familiarity with carpentry, craft and woodwork including and not limited to coating, sanding, cutting, routing, nailing, fastening, drilling of lumber and other materials.
● Familiarity with site work including and not limited to: cleaning and preparing sites, clearing plants, sod, trees and landscape, digging trenches, setting braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, moving gravel and rock, planting, and cleaning up rubble and debris.
● Self starting work ethic.
● Demonstrate pride and accountability in their work.
● Provide flexibility, adaptability, and problem solving with a positive and willing attitude.
● Situational awareness - including emotional, verbal and written, along with logistics.
● Computer literacy with Google Apps (Sheets/Docs/Slides) & Microsoft Office.
● The schedule for this position will be Tuesday-Saturday.
● Prior experience with leading volunteers and/or labor.
ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
● CAD drawing skills are an advantage but not essential.
● Ability to drive a truck and trailer (up to 25 ft long) is an advantage but not essential.
● OSHA 30 training is an advantage but not essential.
REQUIREMENTS
● Ability to climb stairs, use of scaffolding, climb ladders, and negotiate work areas under construction.
● Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Performing this job requires use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
● Reliable transportation to work and job sites throughout the City of Seattle.
● Smartphone.
SALARY + BENEFITS
The salary range for this position will range ($65-$73K) depending on experience. Benefits include full dental, 75% health insurance coverage, and hands on opportunities to support an exciting community project, gain experience in state of the art modular manufacturing of tiny homes and a fulfilling and evolving work environment.
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@facinghomelessness.org. The position will be open until filled, and priority will be given to applications submitted by April 10. Please include in your cover letter how you will successfully combine volunteer-based construction work with important construction and community-building outcomes.
Facing Homelessness is on a journey to deepen its understanding of race and equity within our mission, programs, and organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, and we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.