The AmeriCorps member will serve as a liaison with local emergency management and collaborate with the local civic leaders. Additionally, in order to alleviate poverty and build the capacity of the Native Village of Port Heiden the VISTA will successfully utilize IT equipment to apply for grants to fund a grant information tank needed to collaborate with the community members. **About Port Heiden: Port Heiden is 424 miles southwest of Anchorage, at the mouth of the Meshik River on the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. The Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuge is accessible from Port Heiden by small aircraft, boat or rugged cross-country hiking. Popular activities in this area include sport fishing and hunting, flightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, backpacking, boating and camping.
Service Activities
The AmeriCorps VISTA member is expected to identify and implement a disaster preparedness plan focusing on the health and safety of the residents of the native village of Port Heiden. The member will train local volunteers to deliver information on personal, household, youth, and business preparedness. Additionally, the AmeriCorps VISTA member will build the organizational capacity by applying for grants and successfully implementing technology to develop an effective strategy.
Community Need Addressed
The Native Village of Port Heiden has designed a project with the overall measurable outcome of making the village safe through a disaster-preparation project focusing on the health and safety of the approximate year-round population of 102 residents. Port Heiden is on an earthquake fault line and there is a need to have an established community emergency preparedness plan.
Position Outcomes
The goal of the project is an initiative to reduce poverty by increasing the capacity of the local community to respond and recover effectively when affected by emergency natural disasters by focusing on preparedness activities.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Free Housing.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Communications, Environment, Public Health and Safety, Education, Computers/Technology, Disaster Services
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment