AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

*Application Deadline: 1/7/2024*

AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

Tampa, FL

Description:

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty in communities across the country. Metropolitan Ministries' 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.

This is not a salaried position; this is a year-long service position that receives a bi-weekly stipend, education award, health insurance, and other benefits.

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.

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.

Metropolitan Ministries complies with all local, state, and federal COVID-19 requirements.

Service Term: 365 days *Anticipated start February 2024*

Days/Hours: Full time; this position is 40 hours/week.

Member Duties:

• 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

Skill Requirements:

• Requires understanding of poverty, a high degree of maturity, strong inter-personal skills and the ability to work and communicate with people in a professional and diplomatic manner
• Demonstrated ability to effectively provide guidance, support, and feedback to others
• Organized and detail-oriented, with ability to prioritize, plan and manage time efficiently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

Position Requirements and Specifications:

• VISTA Leaders are required to have completed at least one year of full-time service with AmeriCorps or Peace Corps. Applicants must have strong references from their previous national service experience.
• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent work experience.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Must be a US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), or someone legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
• Be able to successfully pass a criminal background check
• VISTA must be willing to relocate to Hillsborough County, Florida if they are not already located here.
• Must be available for full time working hours for 1 full year.
• VISTA must be able to pass a Level 2 Background Check

Benefits:

• Stipend of $969.78 (gross before taxes) paid bi-weekly for term of service
• Healthcare Benefit and Telehealth
• Choice of Education Award or Stipend ($6,895 for Education Award or $1,800 for Stipend)
• Forbearance on qualified student loans and interest accrual payments while serving (taxable)
• Relocation and Settling In Allowance for those moving more than 50 miles for service
• Non-Competitive Eligibility Status
• Three meals are offered daily at no cost to the member
• Childcare assistance (if qualified)
• Professional development and training opportunities
• 20 days for Personal/Sick Leave