Cooperative Housing Advisor (Spanish Speaking)

Position Title: Cooperative Housing Advisor

Reports To: Affordable Housing Program Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time/Exempt

THE ORGANIZATION

CoNorth (formerly Northcountry Cooperative Foundation) is a non-profit 501c3 organization located in St. Paul, working to transform lives and communities through cooperative enterprise for residents of manufactured housing communities. With a history spanning two decades, CoNorth has been at the forefront of supporting the development of affordable housing cooperatives and providing education, technical assistance, programs, and services to the communities we serve. CoNorth supports 19 manufactured home cooperatives across Minnesota and Wisconsin, and continues to develop new cooperatives each year. CoNorth is one of nine Certified Technical Assistance Providers (CTAPs) under the national ROC USA Network.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Cooperative Housing Advisor serves as a trusted resource and partner to manufactured home community board members and the community as a whole, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, governance practices, and operational capacity needed to successfully manage, sustain, and strengthen their resident-owned community over the long term. Providing comprehensive technical assistance and ongoing support to manufactured home communities pursuing resident ownership includes guiding communities through the process of exploring, organizing, and forming a resident-owned cooperative, supporting the acquisition and transition of the community to cooperative ownership, and providing continued technical assistance after the cooperative is established and owns the community. The communities we serve are diverse, with many of our manufactured home cooperatives having large Latine and Karen populations. Spanish language proficiency is required for this position.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES

• Provide ongoing technical assistance to established resident-owned communities with operating their housing cooperatives and supporting housing development, financial, management, and governance areas and activities
• Conduct training on cooperative housing community development, as well as supporting the creation of meeting agendas, actions plans, tracking dashboards, performance metrics, and overarching cooperative housing systems for our resident owned communities
• Facilitate cooperative board meetings, resident education sessions, and technical assistance activities in both English and Spanish
• Translate written materials into Spanish including website content, event flyers, training materials, cooperative board meeting materials, CoNorth outreach and communication materials to ensure CoNorth is reaching and communicating in a meaningful way with our Spanish speaking constituents
• Input and track data, generate reports, provide required documentation, and respond to information requests needed for lenders, funders, affiliates, partners, community members, and internal CoNorth administration and operations
• Assist with development and fundraising activities including donor communications and appeals, maintaining and updating the donor database, grant tracking, prospect research, and grant applications and reporting
• Assist with analyzing program outcomes, identifying process improvements, evaluating organizational capacity and effectiveness, and assessing CoNorth’s ability to meet the needs of the resident owned communities that we serve
• Participant in team meetings and other organizational activities as needed, and perform other duties as apparent, required, or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• High School diploma or GED
• Professional proficiency in both English and Spanish. Must be able to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking residents and explain complex housing, financial, and cooperative governance concepts in Spanish
• Two-year’s experience in housing and/or community development work in a nonprofit, government, banking, or development organization
• Computer savvy; experience and proficiency with Excel and/or Google Sheets and electronic communication platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated cultural competency working with diverse groups, including low-income, disabled, and people of color
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Must have valid driver’s license and automobile access
• Ability to travel as needed, including some evenings and weekends, with some overnight travel required
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion internally and externally

Desired:

• Karen language proficiency
• Experience with real estate transactions
• Skilled in building and maintaining relationships and collaborative partnerships
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks
• Strong attention to detail
• Knowledge and experience with Salesforce

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, with a starting range of $60,000-$65,000
• Comprehensive health insurance plan covering multiple networks and employer group dental/vision plan or option to receive a wellness stipend in lieu of benefits
• SimpleIRA retirement plan with a 3% employer match
• Generous paid time off starting at 26 days of PTO plus 11 paid holidays
• A commitment to employee development, leadership training, and social and civic engagement

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Use of standard office equipment (computer, telephone, copier, etc.)
• Prolonged computer use for working hours each day
• Ability to drive for extended periods during the day and at night
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs

WORKING CONDITIONS

• CoNorth operates in a hybrid and dog-friendly office environment with a combination of remote and in-person office work. All full-time employees are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our office is currently located in St. Paul near the intersection of Hwy 280/University Avenue
• Statewide and out-of-state travel is required on some evenings and weekends. Overnight travel may be required on a limited basis

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates should email a cover letter and resume to admin@conorth.coop. Please include "Cooperative Housing Advisor" in the subject line and provide information regarding your proficiency in Spanish in your cover letter. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but CoNorth will begin selecting and interviewing candidates as applications are received so candidates are encouraged to send in their application in a timely manner. At CoNorth, we strive to provide a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and that is free from all forms of employment discrimination. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals, inclusive of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, class of origin, and other identities. CoNorth celebrates diverse perspectives and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone is valued. If you need to inquire about an accommodation or need assistance with completing the application process, please contact admin@conorth.coop.