Senior Specialist - AmeriCorps Partner Engagement

About the Role

The Senior Specialist – Partner Engagement serves as the primary liaison between Habitat AmeriCorps and program partners, supporting the successful implementation and management of the program at the local level. This position manages relationships with host sites and members, provides technical assistance and guidance, and ensures compliance with federal program policies and requirements. The role supports host sites in recruiting AmeriCorps members by offering consultation, tools, and best practices to strengthen local recruitment strategies. Additionally, this position plays a critical role in supporting member performance management, including addressing disciplinary issues, facilitating difficult conversations, and ensuring accountability across the program. This position will be remotely based within the US.

Responsibilities

• Partner Engagement & Program Implementation
  • Manage relationships and provide consultative support to a portfolio of host sites and AmeriCorps members.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for partners, ensuring a high level of service, responsiveness, and support.
  • Educate host sites and members on federal program requirements, policies, and resources to ensure goals and objectives are achieved.
  • Train, coach, and advise host sites in successfully implementing AmeriCorps programming, including online systems, member development, and program management.
  • Identify and resolve host site program implementation challenges; provide proactive problem-solving support to mitigate risks.
  • Represent the Habitat AmeriCorps program to affiliates and partners, demonstrating knowledge of program goals, initiatives, and activities.
• Recruitment Support & Consultation
  • Provide guidance and consultation to host sites on effective AmeriCorps member recruitment strategies, including outreach planning, candidate experience, and retention approaches.
  • Share tools, templates, and best practices to help partners strengthen local recruitment efforts and talent pipelines.
  • Monitor recruitment progress across assigned sites and identify areas for improvement or additional support.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to align recruitment messaging and ensure host sites are equipped with up-to-date resources.
  • Support host sites in developing inclusive and equitable recruitment practices to attract diverse candidates.
• Member Support, Accountability & Performance Management
  • Partner with HFHI Human Resources and program staff to manage AmeriCorps member performance issues, including coaching host sites through corrective action processes.
  • Lead and support difficult conversations related to member conduct, performance, and compliance, ensuring professionalism, fairness, and consistency.
  • Guide host sites in setting clear expectations and holding members accountable to program standards.
  • Support the member lifecycle process including enrollment, member development, and exits.
  • Advise host sites on retention strategies and risk management related to member performance.
• Compliance, Monitoring & Program Quality
  • Conduct host site compliance reviews, including virtual or in-person visits, review of quarterly reports, member timesheets, and supervision practices.
  • Ensure host sites complete required member deliverables and adhere to AmeriCorps and HFHI policies.
  • Collaborate with Program Operations to support implementation and continuous improvement of program systems and processes.
  • Participate in testing, feedback, and training related to program tools and procedures.
• Cross-Team Collaboration & Initiatives
  • Coordinate and support aspects of large-scale Habitat AmeriCorps events and initiatives.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment across recruitment, engagement, and program delivery.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of partner engagement and recruitment support strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of experience in partner engagement, client relationship management, or program administration, with a strong focus on program compliance, implementation, and stakeholder support.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate difficult conversations and navigate sensitive employee, member, or partner relations matters with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Experience supporting program accountability measures, including performance management, compliance monitoring, corrective action planning, and ensuring adherence to established policies and program requirements.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain attention to detail, and effectively coordinate activities across diverse stakeholders and program sites.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with partners while providing consultative guidance, technical assistance, and problem-solving support.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate expectations, policies, and feedback to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with or a strong understanding of AmeriCorps or other national service programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of federal AmeriCorps regulations and program requirements.