(Archived) External Relations Officer

Position: Community, Faith, Advocacy Officer

Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Manages Others: Yes

Reports To: Vice President of Development

Position Summary

The External Relations Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati is responsible for the growth and stewardship of HFHGC’s faith relations, community partnerships, volunteer program, and government advocacy initiatives. This position has core hours Monday-Friday, but also necessitates flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed and with proper notice.

Position Responsibilities

Advocacy

• Develop, implement, and monitor Advocacy Plan that promotes housing affordability.
• Develop and strengthen relationships and communication with key government partners at the state, county and local levels, including elected officials, key elected staff members, and administrative government staff by educating stakeholders about Habitat and affordable homeownership needs.
• Collaborate with partners and coalitions to advance policy priorities.
• Monitor legislative activity and provide updates to key staff.
• Deliver content on key policy and legislative affairs, to promote issues and legislation aligned with the organization’s mission.
• Find opportunities for relationship building of naturally occurring intersections between housing and other sectors, such as health, education, transportation, and workforce development, to maximize impact and resources.
• Provide direction and support to the CEO for key presentations and legislative engagements.
• Support HFHGC’s engagement in advocacy events such as state and federal Habitat Hill days and government official build days.
• Ensure staff participation on advocacy committees to represent affordable homeownership interests.
• Coordinate attendance of government partners for home dedications and other Habitat events.
• Assist in applying for grant opportunities from government partners as needed.
• Manage Raiser's Edge relationship database as it relates to advocacy actions and relationship building.

Faith Partnerships

• Develop and implement faith community engagement plan to strengthen current and develop new relationships with faith coalitions and churches, including clergy, denominational leadership, and volunteer faith committees to expand volunteer engagement and financial resources to support homeownership opportunities.
• Serve as the key spokesperson for key presentations, engagement opportunities and presentations to further relationship with key stakeholders in the faith community.
• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for HFHGC and attend events of faith-based partners, coalition meetings, volunteer events, networking events, and speaking engagements.
• Lead the organization in creating effective outreach activities to engage faith communities, including faith coalition build days.
• Responsible for maintaining records of faith and community partners with updated contact information, meeting notes and other key information.
• Coordinate attendance of faith partners for home dedications and other events.

Community Engagement

• Maintain and strengthen relationships and communication with key community partners in the communities in our geographic service area, including community councils, community development corporations, and affordable housing partner organizations.
• Regularly attend and engage in community meetings and service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.) to keep key community groups and volunteers apprised of our work and impact.
• Plan and coordinate community-based events and build days.
• Coordinate attendance of community partners for home dedications and other events.

Volunteer Management Support

• Create and implement an annual plan for volunteer engagement that supports HFHGC’s strategic plan goals.
• Work with Volunteer Services Manager to plan and coordinate volunteer events, recognition ceremonies, fairs, affinity group builds, and team build days in collaboration with other Development staff.

Marketing and Communications

• Work with Marketing & Communications to create communication materials for faith communities, government partners, etc.
• Champion and promote Habitat’s global work, including Global Village trips, our global tithe, and meaningful relationships with partner countries.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Community Relations, Public Relations, Volunteer Management, or Communications or other relevant experience.
• Knowledge of the Greater Cincinnati faith communities and government entities is beneficial.
• Respect for and openness to learning about diverse religions is essential.
• Ability to follow and understand mission-related issues at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills in a variety of social and professional settings and a calm and professional demeanor when working with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly capable in relationship building and relationship management.
• Professional and articulate speaker comfortable with public speaking engagements to diverse audiences.
• Ability to perform as a team player, combined with ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to work in an office with frequent interruptions.
• Experience working with committees, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail with excellent follow through.
• Ability to ensure that faith relations, volunteers, and community partnerships are an essential component of our everyday work.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some weekends and evenings as required.
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, current car insurance and a good driving record.