The City of New Orleans VISTA program is implemented by the Office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the Information Technology and Innovation Office (ITI). The City is seeking passionate individuals to build capacity to break the cycle of poverty and empower our community.
The Digital Equity program was designed with the mission to increase the amount of Digital Equity services in the community through research, grant funding and fund allocation. We will accomplish this through researching demographic information, exposing underserved communities and their digital needs and providing data that can be analyzed. This work will translate into acquiring additional funding for current digital equity projects as well as launch new programs that could help us sustain the equity work in the community. Our work in the Digital Equity space will help break the cycle of poverty by reaching the underserved communities, those who would not otherwise have access to a device or services, and begin to address the barriers to digital equity.
As a VISTA member in ITI, you will be exposed to extensive data collection and analysis using state-of-the-art data retrieval and manipulation tools. This data will be used to help us identify and serve the most needed communities. You will also get hands on experience working with the Information Technology team as well as helping to develop metrics for the Mayor’s Office of Digital Equity. This exposure will offer any member the opportunity to work with multiple departments to help leverage a collective digital space for both the City of New Orleans employees as well as its residents. This rewarding opportunity will assist in closing the digital divide by providing resources to the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Service Activities
Throughout one year of service, the VISTA member will work with ITI and the Mayor’s Office of Digital Equity to:
-Research, apply and manage funding or grant opportunities to support the Mayor’s Office of Digital Equity.
-Support program initiatives and strategic initiatives through research, updating documents and establishing organization methods.
-Identify resources and metrics for the top digital equity efforts in 2021 by developing data analytics tools, refining feedback methods, and coordinating data compilation.
Community Need Addressed
The CNO VISTA Program supports City Hall by implementing sustainable capacity building projects to increase the effectiveness of each department.
Position Outcomes
Our VISTA members help the City strengthen existing services and provide more services for underserved and disproportionately impacted communities.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance
Education Benefits
College Degree
N/A
Skills you will gain
Professional Development
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
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, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization