The VISTA leader will support Anchorage and statewide VISTA members placed at community organizations. RurAL CAP currently has eight VISTA placements, but is always looking to expand. The VISTA leader will network with community partners to raise awareness of AmeriCorps and VISTA for their organization.
Service Activities
1) Support and Direction for serving VISTA members.
Member Activity: Be available to VISTA members and other constituencies as a mentor, facilitator,
ambassador, resource generator, liaison, recruiter and educator.
Member Activity: Assist RurAL CAP VISTA members with day-to-day logistical and technical
support, including project planning and troubleshooting, and VISTA benefits/CNCS policy-related
questions.
Member Activity: Conduct site visits to VISTA members to strengthen relationships, work one-onone,
and acquaint oneself with the community/organization and resources available.
Member Activity: Conduct biweekly teleconferences for RurAL CAP VISTA members with diverse
topics, speakers, project ideas and opportunities, and training/development activities.
2) Recruitment
Member Activity: Make initial contacts and develop a contact list (people and organizations), and
promote and inform the public about the VISTA program through news sources, social media, print
materials, AmeriCorps forums and word of mouth.
Member Activity: Represent RurAL CAP, CNCS and VISTA program through local fairs, meetings,
trainings and conferences (booths, attendance, and presentations) and foster local professional
relationships and collaboration opportunities for members.
Member Activity: Work directly with potential sites to identify appropriate projects, assist in
application process, conduct interviews and check references. Once sites/members have been
selected, assist in ensuring all required paperwork is completed and submitted. Collaborate with the
RurAL CAP Program Manager to train Site Supervisors and members on VISTA policies and reporting
expectations.
3) Training and Team Building
Member Activity: Collaborate with RurAL CAP VISTA support team (staff, local professionals and
other organizations) and manage the planning and facilitation of an On-Site Orientation Training
(OSOT) after members complete PSO (includes arranging travel, speakers, accommodations, meals,
etc.)
Member Activity: Coordinate trainings through bi-weekly teleconferences, quarterly VISTA trainings
hosted at RurAL CAP, and monthly VISTA statewide calls.
Member Activity: Assist VISTAs in accessing other avenues of project and professional development
training, such as VISTA Campus and other AmeriCorps resources, VISTA Blend courses and
webinars, and local meeting, classes and events.
Objective of the Assignment (Period of Performance: Continuously)
Communication and Networking
Member Activity: Work with community entities to maximize capacity building through planning,
resource generation and encouragement of national service participation and sustainable community
initiatives.
Member Activity: Collect and create VISTA success stories and activity highlights to be published in
Village Voices, local and regional papers, on social media sites, etc. Have pictures and updates ready
for the media, stakeholders and partners.
Member Activity: Participate in producing a quarterly VISTA newsletter/email (work in collaboration
with fellow VISTA Leaders, VISTAs, and state office staff in Alaska for story and photo contributions).
Past articles have included intros from new members each quarter, stories from member's service
activities, travel journals, reflections on service in Alaska, recipes, and notices regarding upcoming
events/trainings.
Member Activity: Assist with monthly conference calls with Alaska VISTA Leaders to
discussleadership roles, brainstorm ideas, problem solve, share training opportunities, newsletter
collaboration, and conference calls for VISTAs serving in Alaska
Member Activity: Plan, promote, and host monthly statewide conference calls for VISTAs
and Leaders in Alaska. Leaders can select the topics together and can rotate facilitation duties
(including recruiting guest speakers such as site supervisors, members, and state office staff).
Sample topics might include: life after AmeriCorps, how to build/create VISTA Sustainability Portfolios,
AmeriCorps Week, writing powerful reports, planning MLK Day activities, and reflections on service.
Member Activity: Offer guidance, support and mentorship to members when appropriate.
4) Reporting and Paperwork
Member Activity: Collect monthly reports from members, provide feedback, organize and save data
into member files. Complete VISTA Leader Monthly Report.
Member Activity: Review reports, aggregate and summarize information to share with CNCS and
RurAL CAP through quarterly and semi-annual reports and Board Reports.
Member Activity: Process all other VISTA paperwork as necessary (i.e. mileage reimbursement,
PSO registration, grant applications, letters of support).
Member Activity: Ensure compliance with program regulations and policies, basic requirements and
prohibited activities.
Member Activity: Keep continuous dialogue on VISTA activity and status with RurAL CAP staff, Site
Supervisors and the members.
Member Activity: Assist members in navigating and understanding VISTA/CNCS sites, resources,
logistics and guidelines (includes benefits, portal, program requirements, VISTA member duties, etc.).
5) Project Planning, Development and Implementation
Member Activity: Provide RurAL CAP VISTA members with project advice, suggestions, project
examples and informational material on their projects.
Member Activity: Seek out potential funding sources/grant and contest opportunities for VISTA
members (for potential use as financial support for projects). Create mediums through which
members can access, understand and take action on this sort of information.
Member Activity: Develop an End of Service Year Evaluation for members and Site Supervisors.
Member Activity: Design a VISTA Alumni survey to connect VISTA Alums to current members for
additional support.
Member Activity: Collaborate with RurAL CAP’s AmeriCorps Programs to develop training
tools/resources for AmeriCorps/VISTA members and Site Supervisors.
6) Professional Development
Member Activity: Increase experience with and ability to work in cross cultural arena, strengthen
communication, project coordination/supervision/and management skills and participate in a variety of
other trainings or educational ventures focusing on Alaska issues/information. Read, research and
engage with local news, events, agencies, history, policy on Alaska Native culture, energy and
community development/capacity building
Member Activity: Seek out professional development opportunities and bring suggestions to
supervisor (trainings, working groups, conferences, side projects). Be engaged with the Anchorage
VISTA Alumni group and connect members to events/resources.
Member Activity: Participate in division activities including meetings, division staff retreat, strategic
planning, staff training, AmeriCorps training, etc.
Community Need Addressed
The VISTA leader will fight Alaskan poverty with passion by expanding access of community organizations to VISTA programs and members.
Position Outcomes
The VISTA leader's role is to increase the efficacy of VISTA member's projects by providing support and guidance.
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
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Time Management, Networking, Public Speaking, Training, HR 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
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, 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