Patuxent Habitat for Humanity (PHH), an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), seeks a VISTA Volunteer to provide critical support to PHH’s Mission of building affordable homes in partnership with low income families.

The VISTA Volunteer shall be paid by the national VISTA office and shall receive a $4,200 education award on successful completion of the one year service period, 1 August 2006 – 31 July 2007. The Volunteer would generally work during PHH’s standard hours of 830-5pm, Monday-Friday, though some Saturday work during home-builds would be required (with a day off in the week then provided).

PHH, which serves both St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties and which maintains an office in Lexington Park, has been in operation since 2003; primarily through volunteer efforts, PHH has built six homes with six families who have 27 children amongst them. Given the scale of the affordable housing problem in the two counties and that PHH has developed greater management capabilities after three years of operations, it now seeks to increase the number of homes it builds annually.

PHH currently operates with two paid staff, an Executive Director and a Program & Business Manager, and with a committed 16 member Board of Directors and a number of other key volunteers. The VISTA Volunteer will focus on two key areas: volunteer program development and resource development systems, with the majority of time focused on the former area. More specifically, the Volunteer will strengthen or develop systems in volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and recognition and in resource-development that will significantly help PHH in increasing the number of homes it builds annually.

PHH seeks an individual with the following skills and attributes: team player with excellent oral and written communication skills who is a self-starter and a problem-solver; some background in recruiting, supervising, and recognizing volunteers; excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Access; an outgoing, people-oriented individual; some background in resource-development areas (events, grant-research, etc) helpful, though not essential.

Please send cover letter and resume to info@patuxenthabitat.org or via regular mail to Patuxent Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1093, Solomons, MD, 20688. Tel: 301-863-6227. PHH is an equal opportunity employer.