Do you dig democratic decision making? Enjoy infrastructure projects? Relish training? Frolic with finances? Love people in all their power and complexity? Then have we got a job for you!
Affordable, safe and secure housing seems more elusive than ever, but the New England Resident Owned Communities (NEROC) program at CDI has (at last count — it’s hard to keep up) assisted 45 communities housing 4,300 families to become resident-owned and controlled. We are expanding and looking for a Cooperative Housing Specialist to join our team in Southeastern Massachusetts. Take a look at our job description and if it speaks to you, speak to us. Call 877-NE COOPS (877 632-6677, toll-free) or 413-665-1271, extension 1, for application instructions.
Position Overview
Successful candidate will work as a Cooperative Housing Specialist in the New England Resident Owned Communities (NEROC) program of the Cooperative Development Institute. This program is designed to provide affordable, secure housing to residents of manufactured housing communities by helping them finance, purchase and run the communities they live in through the creation of democratically-run cooperatives. The initial primary focus of this position is on post-purchase guidance, training and coaching to each community in the management and governance of their cooperative. Special attention is paid to helping members understand their roles and responsibilities in order to more effectively function as resident-owners and to foster a sense of empowerment and community spirit.
Essential Job Functions: Housing Cooperative Specialist
- Provides technical assistance to resident-owned manufactured housing communities.
- Collaborates with other technical assistance providers to train board directors and community members
- …and more…
Required Skills and Abilities
These skills and abilities, if not already acquired, will need to be developed within the first 3-6 months of beginning employment.
- Ability to provide assistance, resources and advice, while developing community leadership; meeting people where they are while nurturing self-sufficiency.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills; compassion and assertiveness.
- Knowledge and comfort with democratically-run organizational structures, management, policies and best practices–knowledge of cooperative governance structures and working with boards of directors a bonus.
- …and more…
Inclusion
In accordance with Federal law, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. CDI is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
We promote economic prosperity for all through our work with our clients, our hiring practices, and our vigorous commitment to cooperative principles. We strive daily to acknowledge and eliminate all forms of oppression. By examining bias within ourselves and our organization, we work mindfully to make our board and staff more inclusive. We actively fight against racism, classism, gender inequality and all efforts to marginalize anyone. The nature of our work engages us directly with the working poor, the educationally disadvantaged, the elderly, immigrants and refugees. It is our goal to see all of our clients prosper within the cooperative movement.
We welcome applicants from underrepresented identities, and those who have a commitment and track record of bringing an inclusive and equitable approach to their work.
See the full job description.