News

 

JOB DESCRIPTION – Information Technology Specialist

Posting Period through May 7, 2021

Hourly rate range: $16 to $18

 

Title:              Information Technology Specialist

Status:            Non-exempt, hourly, part-time (15-20 hours per week) temporary position.

Reports to:     Deputy Director.

 

MISSION:  Building relationships to overcome homelessness with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in response to God’s love for ALL.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:  Open Doors Kalamazoo (ODK) is committed to being inclusive in all areas of diversity in its employment, operations, programs, and services.  ODK prohibits discrimination based on, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, history of incarceration or conviction record, citizenship, political affiliation, nationality, immigration status, language, ancestry, family and marital status, veteran status, genetics, height, and weight.

 OVERVIEW: Supports information technology (IT) systems and end users for the entire Open Doors Kalamazoo staff, installs computers systems and software. Offers IT solutions and guidance for ODK leaders.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED TASKS:

• End user support.
  • Sets up new computers, printers, scanners, and tablets for employees including anti-virus software solutions and installations.
  • Provides IT orientation for new employees.
  • Trains all employees in groups and individually to ensure they are knowledgeable in the systems provided.
  • Offers patient and kind guidance to end users at varying levels of experience with information technology.
  • Meets with end users virtually or in-person, as needed, to prepare systems and train staff members.
  • Software guidance to end users relative to Microsoft Office (including Teams), Google Drive (including Google Meet and Google Voice), and other software as applicable.
• Device inventory and warranty management.
  • Maintain spreadsheet with device inventory and warranty information.
  • Recommended replacement schedule along with budget.
• Determine hardware and software solutions to recommend to ODK leadership.
  • Possible server and / or continued use of Google Drive.
• Draft or review policies and procedures for the review of the deputy director.
  • Information technology security.
  • Technology and remote work.

 WORK ATTRIBUTES:

 Passionate about serving end users so together, the mission of ODK can be accomplished.

• Self-starter who works well without direct supervision.
• Detail-oriented for maintaining accurate records.
• Ability and willingness to travel to end user locations including offices and homes.
• Excellent training skills.
• Active listener who is patient with end users and has a communication ability to use non-technical terms.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of six-months experience supporting end users in any environment (work, home, school).
• Minimum of one year working with people form diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Education:
  • Obtained or pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field with a minimum of one year of course work or a combination of experience and education.

TO APPLY: 

Electronically:

Email cover letter and résumé to Tiffany B. White, deputy director, to twhite@odkzoo.com.

Mail:

Mail cover letter and résumé to Open Doors Kalamazoo; Attention: Tiffany B. White, deputy director; PO Box 50102; Kalamazoo, MI 49005-0102

 

JOB DESCRIPTION – Pathway Home Manager

 Salary Range: $41,000 to $44,000

 Posting Period Through: Sunday, April 25, 2021

Name:             Vacant

Title:              Pathway Home Manager

Status:            Exempt, salaried

Reports to:     Executive Director

MISSION:  Building relationships to overcome homelessness with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in response to God’s love for ALL.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:  Open Doors Kalamazoo (ODK) is committed to being inclusive in all areas of diversity in its employment, operations, programs, and services.  ODK prohibits discrimination based on, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, history of incarceration or conviction record, citizenship, political affiliation, nationality, immigration status, language, ancestry, family and marital status, veteran status, genetics, height, and weight.

 OVERVIEW: The Open Doors Kalamazoo full-time Pathway Home Manager position will report to the Executive Director. The position will provide Open Doors Pathway Homes Program homeownership promotion and preservation services to community members.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED TASKS:

• Program Development.
  • Develop and maintain services to reduce barriers for low income households to achieve homeownership.
  • Create and implement long-term goals for home ownership and preservation.
  • Develop programming based upon best-practice research for non-profit homeownership industry standards.
  • Ensure organization compliance with sponsor, local, state, and federal requirements.
  • Respond to changing residential real estate market conditions.
• Administration.
  • Adhere to reporting deadlines, maintain accurate records.
  • Support grant proposal development including budget preparation.
  • Administer post-award grant financials in collaboration with the deputy director.
  • Participate in strategic planning and reporting.
  • Serve on committees as assigned by the executive director.
  • Data entry into property software and receipt of program fees and resident savings.
• Program Management for Residents.
  • Maintain a small constituent list of residents to develop relationships through interviews, six-month one-on-one meetings, and monthly contacts.
  • Incorporate trauma-informed practices in programming and services for residents.
  • Coach residents in achieving their goals including housing, employment, savings, and personal ambitions.
  • Process 7-day and 30-day eviction notices when necessary.
• Leadership.
  • Train and develop program managers.
  • Develop programs for community dinners in conjunction with program managers.
  • Serve on diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

WORK ATTRIBUTES: 

• Passionate about serving people from diverse backgrounds endeavoring toward home ownership.
• Self-starter who takes initiative in development of pathways to home ownership.
• Excellent servant leadership skills for advancement of the skills of training program managers.
• Ability to motivate community members toward goals.
• Detail-oriented for maintaining accurate records and writing reports.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of three years of experience in a housing-related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience working with community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience with databases.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Report writing experience.
• Grant and finance experience.
• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, non-profit management, or a related field or an equivalent combination of training and professional experience.

 

TO APPLY:

 Electronically:

Email cover letter and résumé to Tiffany B. White, deputy director, to twhite@odkzoo.com.

Mail:

Mail cover letter and résumé to Open Doors Kalamazoo; Attention: Tiffany B. White, deputy director; PO Box 50102; Kalamazoo, MI 49005-0102

The COVID-19 pandemic has created difficult circumstances for those recovering from substance use illnesses. However, thanks to Bent 9 Hot Yoga, some people are using exercise and wellness to cope with our newfound quarantine “way of life.”

Meet Hayden, a very special member of our family at the Next Door Shelter who, after 10 years of substance use illness, recently celebrated 100 days of sobriety after turning to yoga, fitness and healthy eating for comfort.

“I was homeless, I was broke, I was destroyed,” Smith said. “I lived on the streets for ten years, I was in and out of jail, on probation, and in the peek of my addiction. … When I was at rock bottom I found yoga and got completely addicted to it. Drugs and alcohol were the solutions to all my problems in life and now I use yoga and fitness as that purpose.”

“You have nothing to lose if you are already in active addiction,” Hanson said. “Come give it a try. Learn from me, someone who is in recovery and found that hope through yoga.”

Hayden, we love you and we are so proud of all that you have accomplished! We are thankful that your life’s journey brought you to us and made you apart of the Open Doors family. We will continue to support you moving forward!

To read the full article and watch Hayden’s interview with News Channel 3, click here: November 25, 2020 3WWMT Story