AmeriCorps VISTA Position Announcement - Denver

AmeriCorps VISTA Position Announcement

Metro Denver CLOSE TO HOME Campaign

Purpose:
This position offers a rewarding opportunity to advance a high-profile public awareness and education campaign focused on homelessness. As the housing market has tightened in the Denver metropolitan area, this issue has become ever more urgent and significant. The mission of the CLOSE TO HOME campaign (closetohomeco.org), which is supported by the Denver Foundation and a diverse group of area stakeholders, is to increase awareness and understanding, and move residents to take actions that will reduce homelessness.

The position will provide valuable experience related to public information and social marketing efforts, the operation of community coalitions, and the implementation of varied communications. The individual selected will serve for one year as an AmeriCorps VISTA member focused on building capacity within the CLOSE TO HOME campaign.

This VISTA member will be part of a Metro Denver Homeless Initiative VISTA program, that supports a team of VISTA members working throughout the Denver Metro area on local and regional efforts to prevent and end homelessness.

Job Title: CLOSE TO HOME Campaign Coordinator

Work Location: The Denver Foundation, Denver, Colorado

Key Responsibilities:

• Communications Development and Dissemination 
• Track campaign communications measures (website, earned media, social media, presentations) Support weekly development and review of social media content 
• Research, identify, and support the use of earned media opportunities 
• Gather content for, and help to develop and disseminate, regular e-news updates 
• Assist partners in sharing examples, stories, and data points 
• Track stakeholder needs related to messaging
• Support all campaign story development, collection, and dissemination efforts

Coalition Support

• Participate in and support CLOSE TO HOME Development Team (Leadership) and Grassroots Network meetings
• Schedule meetings 
• Help prepare information and materials for meetings
• Take notes to ensure that all members of the extensive grassroots network are kept up-to-date 
• Post agendas, notes, and all associated information and materials to Basecamp
• Research and obtain information needed to maintain the campaign calendar; track implementation of calendared events
• Provide communications and administrative support as needed for the Development Team (leadership) and grassroots network

AmeriCorps VISTA Program Description: AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Authorized in 1964 and founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993. VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 45 years.

VISTA members commit to serve full-time (40 hours per week) for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency. With passion, commitment, and hard work, you’ll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Please visit the AmeriCorps VISTA website to familiarize yourself with how the program works: americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp.

VISTA members receive a stipend ranging from $946 to $1,026 per month before taxes. Members are also eligible for a $5,550 education award OR a $1,500 end-of-service stipend. Additional benefits include training, limited health care benefits, relocation expenses, student loan forbearance or deferment, and non-competitive eligibility for a federal government position. You may also be eligible for childcare assistance should you need it. Perhaps the greatest benefit is the experience of making a positive change in your community and your country.

Time Commitment:
AmeriCorps VISTA members commit to one full year of service starting August 2016.

The Campaign Coordinator will normally work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for a total of 40 hours per week. There may be occasions when the coordinator is expected to work during weekday evenings, but not to exceed a total of 40 hours in a week.

Qualifications:
Position-Specific Requirements
The Campaign Coordinator must be skilled in written and verbal communication, have knowledge and at least basic skills in social media and public relations, basic administrative tasks, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.). He or she must also have the ability to multitask, manage and follow through on projects, work independently, be highly flexible, and maintain communications with stakeholders.

Personal experience or professional knowledge of homelessness is a plus.

VISTA Requirements 
VISTA applicants must meet the following minimum standards of eligibility:
• Be at least 18 years old upon entering VISTA training. There is no upper age limit.
• Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.
• Not be listed in the National Sex Offender Registry database as having been convicted of sex-related crimes.
• Be willing to submit fingerprints for a criminal history background check.
• Be in a position to offer full-time service for one year without regard to regular working hours.
• Be able to exhibit previous education, training, military, or work experience, and any other relevant skills or interests necessary to perform a specific VISTA assignment.
• Be willing, to the maximum extent practicable, to live among and at the economic level of the low-income people served by VISTA projects.


Support Provided:
The Campaign Coordinator will receive an AmeriCorps VISTA project orientation, which will provide an overview of project roles, responsibilities, priorities, and worksites, as well as a site orientation, which will include a worksite tour with staff introductions; information about site policies, procedures, and resources; and briefings on campaign activities and resources. Throughout the project, the coordinator will have access to multiple sources of support, including the following:

• Program supervision and support from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative
• Denver Foundation site supervisor

To Apply:
Applicants must apply through the VISTA portal—https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=68029&fromSearch=true

AND

email cover letter and résumé to rebecca.mayer@mdhi.org no later than June 17, 2016.