JOB DESCRIPTION
RESOURCE  DEVELOPER

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: High School diploma, GED or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.  Undergraduate degree or other vocational school/certificate a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills are essential.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong written, spoken and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of community resources, especially in the housing and urban development area.
• Knowledge of and experience working with refugee populations preferred.
• Experience communicating with diverse segments of community: landlords, faith-based organizations and businesses.
• Bi-lingual and bi-cultural skills not required but preferred. 
• Excellent self and time management.
• Computer literacy, especially working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, and database use a must.
• Ability to work well with stress.
• Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records and documentation.
• Strong interest in MVRCR’s mission.
• Ability and willingness to work as a part of a team.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: Refugee Services delivers a combination of programs and services that provide individualized and community-centered activities designed to teach refugees practical life skills that enhance their ability to integrate into the community. 
POSITION PURPOSE: Responsible for identifying, developing and supporting human and material resources in the local community to support resettlement and refugee integration in Utica.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The position has two primary areas of focus:

• Housing: conduct community outreach to expand and improve local and regional housing opportunities for refugees.  Coordinate housing services and assistance to ensure adequate housing for refugees, including finding an apartment, apartment set-up, and furnishings.  

• Sponsorship and Donations:  explore community sponsorship involvement and corporate giving. Facilitate networking with churches and other congregations, individuals, community organizations and businesses to provide material donations, volunteer hours and sponsorship in support of refugee resettlement.  Manage resources given by these entities.  Coordinate the pick-up, storage and distribution of donations.

Housing

• Develop and implement short and long-term housing accommodation strategies for refugees.
• Coordinate outreach activities/events in the community to identify potential housing opportunities.
• Participate in local and regional community meetings and projects involving housing.
• Maintain and update the master list of housing opportunities with variables regarding size, cost, location, restrictions, lease information, etc.
• Communicate on an ongoing basis with existing landlords and secure housing.
• Seek out decent, safe and sanitary housing for new arrivals.
• Coordinate and handle a full range of housing situations, including split families, missing furniture, client preference, damage to apartments, moving, and evictions.
• Monitor and evaluate safety practices and procedures to make sure housing for refugees adheres to local regulations.
• Coordinate the set-up of apartments in accordance to Operational Guidelines, including utility installation and follow-up, housing and personal safety orientation, and essential furnishings.
• Assist Cultural Orientation Coordinator with Housing Orientation and participate in all housing related trainings and orientations.
• Reinforce apartment inspection and maintenance during the first 90 days.
• Provide necessary documentation for the Finance Office to close case at 90 days.
• Ensure that all housing related paper work is properly completed and/or submitted and filled.

Sponsorship & Donations

• Recruit congregations and other organizations to assist the refugee resettlement program and provide volunteer services.
• Be first line of communication for congregational and corporate volunteers and committees.  Work with agency staff to facilitate response to congregational and corporate volunteers and committees.  Provide technical assistance and trouble-shooting to support and assist congregational and corporate volunteer involvement. 
• Work with Refugee Services staff to assess and communicate client needs and cross-cultural concerns to assist efforts of congregational and corporate volunteers. 
• Provide avenues for agency recognitions of congregational and corporate efforts, including certificates, recognition luncheons, etc.
• Publicize and coordinate clothing drives and other community donations. Update and maintain database to provide current and accurate information on individual volunteers, contributors and church contacts/sponsors.
•    Serve on various committees and /or teams as requested.
• Solicit, secure, coordinate and handle donations. Identify donors and coordinate pick up and delivery of material donations to appropriate refugee families. 
• Maintain accurate donor files and contacts.  Record and itemize material gifts, donors, and addresses etc.  Write thank you letters with Record of Donations for tax reporting purposes.  Record gifts in LIRS database.
• Coordinate and maintain storage and storage access. 
• Handle other necessary and related tasks as assigned.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure program activities are administered in accordance with federal and state regulations and in compliance with contract/funding requirements.
Coordinate services with other departments of the MVRCR to assure the refugee receives a full range of services provided by the agency.
Participate in agency long range planning to assure future growth and development of MVRCR.
Promote MVRCR in the community by attending community functions, speaking on behalf of the agency and serving as a liaison with related agencies and service providers. 
Any other duties required by the agency, contracts, or the supervisory management or the Board of Directors of the agency.

Employee Signature:  -----------------------------------    Date: ----------------------------