The City of New Orleans VISTA program is implemented by the Office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the Office of Workforce Development. The City is seeking passionate individuals to build capacity to break the cycle of poverty and empower our community. The Office of Workforce Development extends from a larger department called the Office of Economic Development. The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development is to attract, retain, and grow business in New Orleans. We envision an inclusive economy where all New Orleanians have access to quality amenities in their neighborhoods, access to quality careers and good-paying jobs.
The overall goal of the VISTA project is to find innovative solutions to the water crisis New Orleanians face. We provide a professional work environment based on mutual respect with a spirit of teamwork. We are also addressing the issue of equitability and inclusion on many projects around the city. It’s an exciting time to be a part of New Orleans City operations.
Service Activities
Throughout one year of service, the VISTA member will work with the Office of Workforce Development to:
-Conduct community outreach activities and create a long-term community engagement plan.
-Facilitate research and collection of data.
-Analyze data using multiple metrics guided by national best practices and develop department strategies to align policies with those of a more inclusive workforce.
-Facilitate events and service provision and/or attend events to review and assess the strengths and needs of the community.
-Plan working group meetings, including creating talking points and creating presentations.
-Expand the capacity of the office through grant writing to secure funds.
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