United Way of King County is seeking an exceptional person to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA Team Leader for a team of 35 VISTAs serving throughout King County. The VISTA Leader will work closely with the AmeriCorps Program Coordinator and one other fulltime VISTA Leader to expand United Way’s capacity to manage successful VISTA projects. This position will be instrumental in providing support, mentoring, and guidance to the VISTAs to expand their capacity to fulfill their unique, impactful roles with our partners.
Service Activities
Our VISTA Leader will guide others towards our goals of helping students at community colleges across King County graduate and meet their basic needs. They will demonstrate excellent communication skills across all levels of a team, and be a mentor to other AmeriCorps members. They will also have the incredible opportunity to leave their mark in the formative years of one of United Way's fastest-growing programs. Finally, our Leader will help pilot innovative strategies to build professional development and retention into our AmeriCorps programs.
Community Need Addressed
This position supports and empowers a team of AmeriCorps VISTA members working on anti-poverty measures in local community colleges through the United Way of King County Benefits Hub program. Our leader will work to support student access to financial, food security, and other resources in conjunction with direct-service AmeriCorps programs.
Position Outcomes
Our VISTA Leader will work to increase the education outcomes of local colleges students experiencing poverty by supporting the Benefits Hub Program.
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
United Way additionally provides a $500 per month stipend to be used for housing and paid directly to landlords.
Skills you will gain
Facilitation, recruitment, marketing, time-management, program development, coaching, training design, leadership
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, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise
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, 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, 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, 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, Drive decision making, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, 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, 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