AMERICORPS VISTA POSITION

Title: Utah Circles AmeriCorps VISTA

The AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America)  position is part of a national program where community members have the opportunity to serve in local nonprofits for one year helping eliminate poverty. In return for service, members receive a living allowance, health insurance and other benefits. Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo Utah is seeking a dedicated, highly motivated individual to serve as a VISTA in the Utah Circles Initiative and in the Community Gardens.  Utah Circles is a community approach to ending poverty that brings all segments of the population together to identify barriers to self reliance and provide support and friendship to those working to improve their financial situation.

T he VISTA will work primarily with the Utah Circles Initiative and focus on the following goals:

·         Recruit volunteers and coordinate their roles, duties and activities.  This will include, but is not limited to recruitment, creating volunteer orientations, tracking volunteer activities, training and providing other needed support to volunteers.

·         Overseeing the production of Circles Tuesday night weekly meetings and committee work, making adjustments and improvements as needed.  This will include, but is not limited to, attending and organizing the set up, activities, childcare, meals and clean up of the meetings, working with committees and the Guiding Coalition to fulfill their responsibilities and working to support and strengthen the experiences of volunteers.

·         Further promote the community approach to ending poverty by creating partnerships within the community by assisting with poverty awareness activities and overseeing Circles social media involvement.

·         Assist low income families with learning self-reliance and healthy living through development of the community garden.

This is a volunteer position requiring a one year commitment to the project.  There is no opportunity for a change in the pay (living allowance).  VISTA is similar to the Peace Corp.  VISTAs are not allowed to be enrolled in school or to be employed outside of the VISTA position.

Closing Date:  December 1, 2012

Interviews will take place on December 3 and 4, 2012

VISTA to start in mid-to late January

Qualifications:

-Full-time service for one year without school or other work commitments

-College experience

-Ability to remain calm and professional even while others are in distress.

-Ability to develop partnerships with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

-A demonstrated ability to lead others.

-Strong organizational skills in managing complex tasks with autonomy.

-Ability to work a flexible schedule.

-General office and computer skills 

-Excellent writing and verbal skills

-Reliable, personal transportation necessary.

-At least 18 years of age

To apply:  Email your resume and cover letter to Jane Carlile at jcarlile@CommunityActionUC.org. An online application with AmeriCorps is also required after the interview process is complete. 

Benefits:
-Living Allowance ($946 a month pre-taxes),

-At the end of year of service, the VISTA can choose an Education Award ($5,550) or End of Service Cash Stipend ($1,500)

-Health Coverage
-Relocation Allowance
-Childcare assistance, if eligible