With a strong record of developing reciprocal, respectful, active, and democratic partnerships, George Washington University (GWU) in downtown Washington DC is seeking a VISTA to serve as a School Partnerships VISTA in the Office of Family and Public Engagement (OFPE) in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). The VISTA will increase the capacity of the DCPS School Partnerships Division through new research, identification of best practices, and creation of new tools. The VISTA will work for one year with GWU and DCPS staff and community members and will be able to build education-related knowledge and experience, as well partnership development, project management, and communication skills.. We are seeking candidates who excel in relationship-building, are results-oriented, and have strong data management and project management skills. This is a full-time (40hrs a week) 12-month service term with the GW/DCPS AmeriCorps VISTA Program. The project term is based on the start date.
Service Activities
- Develop materials and tools to support a cohort of DCPS schools in the implementation of the Full-Service Community School Model.
- Maintain the DCPS Partnerships Database (QuickBase platform) to ensure consistent reporting of school and partner information across the DCPS system, specifically to the greater DCPS community.
- Compile best practices, outcome data, and good news stories across programs in order to develop manuals/tool kits, newsletters, and annual reports.
- Develop new professional development opportunities for schools, central office, and partner organizations.
Community Need Addressed
Address achievement gaps in education by working with the DC Public School's Central Office to develop systems and tools to understand best practices in partnering with community organizations. Distributing knowledge of available resources to school administrators.
Position Outcomes
- Better understanding of existing school-community partnerships
- Strengthened existing school-community partnerships
- More school administrator, teacher and parent satisfaction with partnerships and partner/local organization satisfaction with participating schools
- More financial, human, and in-kind resources as well as strengthened infrastructure to meet student needs
- Improved capacity to gather data, assess program quality and report information about DCPS community partners
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), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Networking opportunities with DCPS, Community Organizations, and GWU
- Access to GWU Campus Amenities (Library, Adobe Suite)
- Learning opportunities through conferences, events, etc.
Skills you will gain
education-related knowledge and experience, partnership development, project management, and communication skills.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
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, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
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 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, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment