JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

HandsOn New Orleans is seeking to hire a full-time position reporting to the Executive Director with anticipated start date on or before mid-September 2024. 

About HandsOn

HandsOn New Orleans is a nonprofit organization that executes high-impact community service projects in low-income neighborhoods. The organization operates in the seven-parish metro area through collaborative efforts that promote educational equity in the public school system, improve access to community services and resources, foster healthy lifestyles, sustain the natural and built environment, and assist residents on emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. 

Our service project sites include under-performing public schools, youth and recreation centers,  neighborhood parks and urban gardens, green infrastructure sites, and support of other nonprofits that need our capacity building expertise. In the aftermath of disaster, we provide a variety of relief services. 

Our social change model is to work a grass roots level to identify leaders who have solutions but no resources.  We listen first. We fundraise second to purchase supplies and materials that support their social change vision. Third, we recruit and lead volunteers to get the job done.

Our work achieves our vision of a socially just community with happy, healthy, prosperous people.  We invite you to join our mission to engage, empower, and transform our community through volunteer service. HandsOn is an affiliate of the Points of Light Global Network.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Programs is a full-time position that reports to the Executive Director.  The person is responsible for directing, budgeting, and managing a comprehensive service engagement program for local and visiting volunteers. The assistant director will lead the organization’s volunteer engagement and community revitalization programs; position executes operational plans on a 3-6 month time horizon. The assistant director recruits, oversees, and evaluates AmeriCorps members or interns who operate on a monthly time horizon to perform their job duties.

Key Responsibilities

  • Fundraising by managing by the Hands@Work earned-income program: identifying potential corporate or visiting clients, responding to all inquiries, and preparing service proposals and contracts. (50%)

  • Project management by conducting community service project site visits, communicating with active project site contacts, developing budgets, ordering or shopping locally for supplies, creating scope of work for service days, and prepping for days of service (cutting lumber, sorting meeting place mobile service project kit items). (20%)

  • Event planning and execution by creating days of service event schedules, communicating with volunteers, leading volunteers in the field, and transmitting final impact reports. (25%)

  • Administrative duties to maintain volunteer recruitment and service opportunity listings in the Get Connected software program, create monthly reports, attend required AmeriCorps virtual meetings, support public relations, and assist the organization in achieving its mission and strategic goals.

Preferred Talents

  • Evidence of successful nonprofit fundraising or business sales

  • Evidence of project management skills:

o   Communication: effective written, verbal, and visual communication to interact with multiple stakeholders

o   Organization and time management: coordinate multiple tasks, deadlines, and resources

o   Planning: create detailed project plans, set timelines, and make accurate predictions about resource allocation

o   Cost management: create and adhere to budgets, track expenses, and balance costs with time and scope of work

·       Evidence of event planning skills:

o   Customer service: dedication to stakeholder satisfaction and ability to manage expectations

o   People management: create engaging service projects for diverse audiences that build authentic relationships

o   Execute attention to detail: create and communicate highly detailed plans and schedules for advance project management, day of management, and post event impact reporting. Meticulous attention to even the smallest details is necessary for ensuring smooth event execution.

o   Adaptability and flexibility: plan for unexpected changes and quickly find solutions

o   Leadership: ability to guide teams, provide direction, and inspire volunteers and other stakeholders in support of the organization’s mission.

  • Evidence of creative collaboration, problem solving, technology use (Office 365), and emotional intelligence in the workplace.

  • Knowledge of basic carpentry and tools (saws, drills) preferred or high motivation to learn.

Key Qualifications

  • One to three years of professional experience. Undergraduate degree is preferred; associate degree accepted.  A high-school degree or GED may be substituted with three to five years of professional experience.  A year of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or similar service program may be substituted. 

  • Commitment to and passion for social change and the mission and vision of HandsOn New Orleans.  Ability to build authentic relationships with multiple sectors and diverse populations and influence others by inspiring a shared vision.

  • Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision.

  • Self-directed learning with a diligent and energetic work ethic; ability to practice accountability and deliver results on-time/on-budget.

  • Transparent and high-integrity leadership. Ability to accomplish goals by working with and through other people.

  • Flexibility is essential and clear understanding that this position may require more than 40 hours in some weeks, including some nights and weekends. Ability to work in high stress environment during disaster response with emotional intelligence and compassion.

  • Understanding that HandOn values a work-life balance in a dynamic environment with a seasonal volunteer rhythm.

Salary, Benefits, Physical Requirements

Position pays $39,000-$42,379 depending on experience. HandsOn offers a flexible hybrid work environment and schedule, 11 paid holidays with a generous PTO schedule: 15 days in year one, 17 days at year two, 19 days at year 3, and a max of 25 days at 5 years. Currently HandsOn does not offer insurance or retirement benefits. 

The position offers a unique mix of office duties and leading volunteers at community project sites in the field.  Successful candidate must have reliable transportation and meet physical requirements that include working outside the office (indoor and outdoor) in weather conditions including light or intermittent rain, heat, or cold.  Ability to stand up to 8 hours and lift between 10-60 pounds. Willingness to obtain a Louisiana Class D driver’s license to operate an 18’ box truck and obtain a forklift operator certification (organization pays all fees).

Proof of full COVID vaccinations required. Exemptions permitted with valid medical or personal reasons; if exemption is granted, then additional testing requirements at employee’s expense are required.

To Apply:

  1. Submit cover letter and resume in ONE PDF document to executive director Chris Cameron at ccameron@handsonneworleans.org.  Use file title format: “Candidate Last Name, First Name_ADP app”

  2. Applications due no later than August 31, 2024.

  3. Three round interview process on rolling applicant basis:

    a. Selected candidates for a 45-minute initial virtual interview.

    b. Candidates advance to 45-minute case management interview. Candidate will be provided in advance a real-life example of a 100+ volunteer project with detailed information and parameters to demonstrate their aptitude in project management and event planning.

    c. Final candidates advance for a 1.5 hour in person meeting with HandsOn staff and submit three professional references, if not listed in resume.