Member Engagement VISTA Leader - Hunger Free America VISTA : Job Details

VISTA Leader with Hunger Free America's National AmeriCorps VISTA Program

Title: VISTA Leader, Member Engagement & Special Projects

Application deadline: Monday, July 15th by 11:59pm Eastern Time Zone

Start Date: Monday, August 12th or Monday, August 26th

Reports to: Erika Hernandez Burke, Program Manager of HFA's National AmeriCorps VISTA Program

Location: Must be located within a reasonable commutable distance of either Hunger Free America's Financial District office (50 Broad, New York, NY 10004) or Bronx office (938 Sheridan Ave, Bronx, NY 10451).

Opportunity Type: Service opportunity with primarily virtual work and occasional in-person events. Full-Time (35-hour week) for a 1-year commitment.

About Hunger Free America:

Hunger Free America is a nonpartisan, national nonprofit group working to enact the policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food.

We are both a direct service and advocacy organization — with each component strengthening the other. As a direct service provider, we assist low-income families obtain aid from government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — formerly called the Food Stamp program — and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) so that people struggling to pay their bills have access to nutritious food.

HFA is one of the nation's most effective advocates for improved economic and public policies with our staff working daily on the front lines of hunger, empowering low-income people to speak out on their own behalf, and connecting families nationwide with private food resources.

About HFA's National AmeriCorps VISTA Program:

Hunger Free America sponsors two AmeriCorps national service programs, a year-long program, and a Summer Associate program, both of which enable participants to serve the country while fighting hunger.

About the VISTA Leader Role:

The AmeriCorps VISTA Leader role is open to members who have completed at least one year of full-time service with AmeriCorps or Peace Corps. VISTA Leaders work closely with the Program Director and Manager to build the capacity of our service members and the program as a whole. Ideal candidates are those that demonstrated professionalism and growth during their service year and are prepared to advance in responsibilities and expand their skill set.

Role Responsibilities:

• VISTA Cohort Management:
• Provide guidance and mentorship to a cohort of approximately 10-15 VISTA members to ensure VISTA members are supported and can fulfill their program responsibilities.
• Conduct monthly check-ins and communicate periodic project requirements and reminders to your VISTA cohort via email and/or telephone calls.
• Understand, monitor scope and progress of each member's Volunteer Assignment Description (VAD).
• Member Engagement:
• Support the onboarding and offboarding process for VISTA members including training, communications, and technical assistance with fellow VISTA Leaders.
• Plan and facilitate member engagement activities that create opportunities for VISTA members to learn, connect, and engage with one another.
• Implement VISTA member appreciation initiatives including welcome and farewell celebrations, Volunteer Appreciation Week programming, and facilitating social media content highlighting VISTA member accomplishments in tandem with the Outreach & Recruitment Specialist VISTA Leader.
• Special Projects:
• Collaborate with Program Manager in the planning and launch of the Alumni Mentorship Program including outreach, communications, develop and maintain alumni database, facilitation of mentor-mentee relationships, and evaluation and implementation improvements.
• Work collaboratively with the Training Specialist VISTA Leader and the Outreach & Recruitment Specialist VISTA Leader on trainings and outreach initiatives when needed.
• Craft and propose ad hoc special projects that would benefit VISTA members and the program.

Stipend/Living Allowance: $31,525/year

Benefits (learn more about any of the benefits listed below here):

• 20 days of paid time off available for either personal or medical reasons
• End of Service Award in the form of either the Segal Education Award to the amount of $7,395 or the Cash Award to the amount of $3,000
• Healthcare Benefits
• Childcare Benefit for qualifying households
• Relocation Travel Assistance and Settling-In Allowance if you are moving more than 50 miles from your home to serve
• Professional Development and Alumni Network Opportunities
• Non-Competitive Eligibility Status for 1 year for federal employment opportunities upon completion of the service term

Requirements:

• Candidate must have completed at least one year of full-time service with AmeriCorps or Peace Corps.

Qualities of an ideal candidate:

• Volunteer management experience appreciated
• Mentorship and coaching experience appreciated
• Comfort with public speaking and training others
• Experience organizing and/or facilitating events appreciated.
• Excel and data set management appreciated
• Works well in a collaborative environment
• Professionalism and clarity in written and verbal communications

Training:

VISTA Leaders complete a self-directed virtual orientation which explores the leader role and offers recommendations on effective communication with your AmeriCorps team.

HFA's National AmeriCorps VISTA Team will provide training particular to the role under the guidance of the Program Director, Program Manager, Outreach & Recruitment and Training Specialist VISTA Leaders.

Application Instructions:

Please provide a resume, cover letter, two professional references, and confirm that you have completed at least one full-time year-long AmeriCorps or Peace Corps program via this application link by Monday, July 15th by 11:59pm Eastern Time Zone.

Please email proof of service (see details below*) from either AmeriCorps or Peace Corps via email to [email protected].

*A note on proof of service. If you are an AmeriCorps alum, please provide the “VISTA Verification of Service” available for download within your myAmeriCorps account under the My Service Letter tab. If you are a Peace Corps alum, please request a Certificate of Service within your RPCV Portal through the Contact Us page. Please indicate if you need the certificate sent to another email other than the one listed on your RPCV account. The request can take up to 10 days to process, so please indicate in your application if you are awaiting your Peace Corps certificate, and include program details (dates, location, and project name).

Inquiries: Please email with any questions or issues with the application to [email protected].

Hunger Free America is an equal opportunity employer. People of diverse races, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, economic and social backgrounds, genders, physical abilities, and national origins are very strongly encouraged to apply.