As a second year AmeriCorps member, the VISTA Leader will be responsible for recruitment, training, orientation, resource acquisition, and ongoing support for all national service members serving at Our House. The VISTA Leader reports to the Grants Manager. Responsibilities include:
• Manage the overall success of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program at Our House
• Lead and coordinate recruitment efforts for all Our House national service programs
• Provide technical support to VISTA and AmeriCorps member applicants and staff throughout the recruitment process
• Organize and conduct orientations for new VISTA and AmeriCorps members
• Coordinate with HR staff to ensure national service member files meet all CNCS and Our House requirements
• Provide support to current VISTA and AmeriCorps members, including mentoring, leading team meetings, and seeking additional resources to aid VISTA members’ professional development
• Counsel VISTA and AmeriCorps members during exit and transition planning
• Educate staff and community members about national service programs and their benefits
• Assist staff during times of transition or between national service terms
• Plan and coordinate special service events that engage national service members at Our House
This is a full-time national service position that provides a modest living allowance over the course of one year, plus a Segal Education Award at the end of a successful term of service. Health insurance is not available, but some health coverage to help with the cost of co-pays and other medical expenses is available to VISTA Members. Childcare assistance is available to VISTA Members who qualify.
Qualifications
The VISTA Leader will be thoroughly committed to Our House’s mission and to national service. All candidates should have the following qualifications and experience:
• Has completed at least one year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA
• At least 18 years of age.
• A United States Citizen, National, or Permanent Resident.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to vistaleader@ourhouseshelter.org. Include the words “VISTA Leader” in the email subject line.
Service Activities
All activities will revolve around National Service member recruitment and support. The VISTA leader will also lead monthly meetings and will attend recruiting events and speaking engagements throughout the year.
Community Need Addressed
Arkansas is an impoverished state that ranks near the bottom on a host of factors
of economic well-being. Arkansas has the second worst rate of overall poverty in the country, with 19.8% of residents living in poverty (2012 Census Data). Arkansas also has the second worst rate of child poverty in the country, with 29% of children living in poverty (National KIDS COUNT study, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2012). Because homelessness is in part a symptom of extreme poverty, it is unsurprising that Arkansas also ranks near the bottom on homelessness statistics. In particular, Arkansas ranks third worst in the nation on child & family homelessness (2014 State Report Card, National Center on Family Homelessness).
If Our House can succeed in our mission of making a lasting positive transformation in the lives of the homeless and near-homeless families and individuals we serve, we have the potential to make a statewide impact on these and other indicators of economic distress. But this is a challenging goal, requiring comprehensive, high-quality programs (1) that equip adults not only with jobs, but also with education and skills that help them turn their jobs into careers and with financial skills to help them manage their resources wisely; and (2) that prepare children for success in school, in college, and in their own careers, while also building their physical, emotional, and social health.
Position Outcomes
the VISTA Leader will be responsible for recruitment, training, orientation, resource acquisition, and ongoing support for all national service members serving at Our House
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Administrative Support, Employment Recruiting, Public Speaking, Planning, Project Management
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
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