The Monte Vista community set goals with action plans as a result of a grant by the Environmental Protection Agency called Recreational Economy in Rural Communities. In order to take full advantage of the goals created, Monte Vista would designate the AmeriCorps member as the RERC Action Teams Facilitator. This person will function as a capacity builder within the City assisting the City Planner in keeping the Action Teams progressing on the Community Action Plan Goals. The AmeriCorps member will serve as a coordinator/liaison between the City and Federal, State, County, Non-Profit and other interested partners. This member will work with these partners to prepare and conduct meetings, identify opportunities and implement the action plans as funding allows with the assistance of the team members and City Staff.
Additional duties will include gathering data for grant submissions, assisting in reports to the City Staff and City Council. The member will also share information about the projects with the community at large eliciting participation at meetings and helping ensure that the community is engaged in the opportunities to contribute to the plans and associated goals of the program. They will be one of the Champions for the RERC Community Action Plan.
Service Activities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Maintain contact lists of interested stakeholders and volunteers
- Assist the City Planner and City Manager in preparing for the meetings with notes and objectives
- Assist the City Clerk in keeping the City website up to date with current RERC projects and meetings
- Contact committee participants with meeting dates, and reminders of tasks that may be due by participants
- Coordinate meeting spaces for the Community Action Teams
- Record and distribute meeting notes to the stakeholders
- Collect survey data and prepare the data for analysis
- Help Facilitate RERC project meetings and take and distribute notes
- Attend other meetings as requested that may include city council, chamber of commerce, or other service organizations
- May be requested to make presentations to the above listed organizations
- Meet with federal, state, and local officials as needed
- Willing to work flexible hours that may include evenings to assist meeting facilitation
- Some weekends may be required
Community Need Addressed
The City of Monte Vista is a rural community of just over 4000 residents with a diverse population. The City of Monte Vista wants to develop a more robust local economy to help lift the 22% of the residents that live below the poverty line, which is more than double the average in Colorado (9.8%). Our City’s Mission is that as the largest city in Rio Grande County, it has a strong history of benefiting the residents and the surrounding agricultural community. The City achieves these benefits by providing a base of Faith, Teamwork, Innovation, Transparency, Service, and Sustainability for the community. The City staff is committed to supporting its residents through Public Works, Recreation, Administrative, Planning, Community Development, and Police departments. However, most departments are at capacity for projects.
Position Outcomes
This position will help the City capitalize on its assets to bolster the economy and accomplish the vision of creating opportunity, growth, and a fertile safe haven for education, recreation business, and families to thrive.
This AmeriCorps member position will increase the capacity of the staff to continue the efforts to help invigorate and improve our economy through recreational opportunities. Utilizing the teams set up to support the Recreational Economy in Rural Communities (RERC) Community Action Plan. The AmeriCorps member will help keep the City progressing toward the five goals set up in the Community Action Plan.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, GED/High School Diploma
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, 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, Write cleary and effectively
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
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, 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