The VISTA Leader will serve as a recruiter, coordinator, trainer, mentor and resource provider with the goals of strengthening our VISTA members and overall project. The VISTA Leader will support the recruitment of high quality VISTA members, facilitate orientations and trainings for the VISTA team, provide mentorship and resources to VISTAs, expand the VISTA program to meet emerging community needs, and document processes to enhance project sustainability. VISTA Leaders are required to have completed at least one year of full-time service with AmeriCorps or Peace Corps.
Service Activities
Support recruitment of high-quality AmeriCorps members by attending college and career fairs, building relationships local colleges and universities, developing recruitment materials, and conducting informational interviews
Develop and facilitate initial orientation and training activities for new AmeriCorps members, as well as ongoing training and professional development opportunities
Facilitate individual and group meetings with VISTA members to provide peer mentorship and support
Plan and facilitate team building activities and service projects and coordinate two projects for AmeriCorps National Days of Service (September 11th National Day of Remembrance, and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service)
Improve AmeriCorps brand awareness by: collecting member photos, testimonials and experiences; working with Marketing to create a monthly calendar that highlights AmeriCorps activities; and creating flyers and brochures to share with external partners.
Research and plan for a Mentoring Program where AmeriCorps members and Metropolitan Ministries staff can connect regularly
Collect monthly reports from each AmeriCorps member, review data and summarize for project supervisor
Community Need Addressed
Metropolitan Ministries (MM) has served people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Tampa Bay since 1972. We serve 100,000 families and individuals annually with food, clothing, emergency shelter, affordable housing, childcare, a partnership elementary school, adult education and employment services, health and wellness services, counseling, case management and access to community resources. Our VISTA Project, Tampa Bay Homeless Outreach, aims to generate resources that enhance and expand housing programs and supportive services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness. The VISTA Leader will support the management and growth of the VISTA project by: supporting the recruitment of high quality VISTA members, facilitating orientations and trainings, providing mentorship and resources to VISTAs, expanding the VISTA program to meet emerging community needs, and documenting processes to enhance project sustainability.
Position Outcomes
The VISTA Leader will increase AmeriCorps retention, at Metropolitan Ministries, to 70% and will fill 85% of open AmeriCorps positions through recruiting efforts. The VISTA Leader will expand the program into new counties and support Metropolitan Ministries' Inspire Hope initiative by adding new VISTA roles into partnering locations across neighboring counties. Through supporting VISTA member and AmeriCorps member professional development needs, the VISTA Leader will help the program achieve it's outcomes of collecting $30,000 in cash/in-kind donations and Recruit and Manage 55 volunteers providing a goal of 880 hours.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
VISTA members serving at Metropolitan Ministries will receive orientation and ongoing professional development, trauma-informed care training, free meals daily (when serving on-site), and assistance with locating affordable housing (upon request). Members will expand the operations of a non-profit organization serving 50,000 families annually with food, clothing, emergency shelter, affordable housing, childcare, and elementary school, counseling and case management, employment and adult education services, health and wellness services, and access to community resources.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints
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
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
Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process
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 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, 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