AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

IRC Background:

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The IRC resettles approximately 11,000 refugees per year through its U.S. offices and provides numerous program services to assist the refugee from their arrival through to citizenship. The IRC in Salt Lake City opened its doors in 1994, and provides extended case management to newly arrived refugees for up to 24-months as well as over twenty different programs to educate and empower refugees. 

Job Overview:

Founded in 1965, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a federal national service program designed to provide needed resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to increase their capacity to lift Americans out of poverty. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs, housed at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps VISTA supports efforts to alleviate poverty by recruiting Americans 18 years and older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year of full-time service with a sponsoring organization ("sponsor") to create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.

Based out of the IRC Salt Lake City office, the AmeriCorps VISTA Leader position works in tandem with the Volunteer Empowerment Project (VEP) to facilitate a meaningful and successful service term for 15 year-long VISTA members and 10+ summer associates placed at three nonprofits throughout the state of Utah: the International Rescue Committee, United Way of Utah County, and United Way of Northern Utah. Each VEP VISTA member has a unique assignment description with time-bound objectives that expand community-facing programming and build capacity at their respective sites. VISTAs in the project provide indirect service that focuses on bolstering education, economic empowerment, and healthy living initiatives. As an educator, mentor, liaison and resource provider, the AmeriCorps VISTA Leader supports the VISTA cohort by facilitating effective communication, delivering professional development trainings, conducting quantitative and qualitative data tracking, and more.

Major Responsibilities:

·Support VISTA recruitment as needed, including community outreach and candidate screening.

·Provide first day orientation and onboarding for new VISTAs.

·Co-develop and implement updated VISTA supervisor trainings.

·Become familiar with each VISTA position and provide ongoing individual coaching as needed.

·Assist each VISTA member in identifying and making progress on personal goals and career plans.

·Conduct one-on-one quarterly assessments with each VISTA member.

·Arrange and facilitate monthly VISTA meetings, frequent volunteer service projects, and quarterly networking sessions.

·Develop a resource referral hub on various professional development topics and common VISTA assignment areas.

·Coordinate and deliver high impact professional development trainings, including diverse guest speakers.

·Create monthly newsletters to highlight VISTA project accomplishments, upcoming opportunities and relevant tips.

·Ensure timely and accurate compliance of time sheet submissions and time off requests.

·Collect and analyze data from VISTA activities on a monthly basis for grant reporting.

·Cultivate a culture of learning, encouragement, and appreciation within the VISTA team.

·Explore other ideas to increase VISTA member retention, motivation, success, and alumni engagement.

·Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to IRC Deputy Director of Programs and works closely with VEP VISTA Project Coordinator.

Work Environment:

Standard work environment and regular office hours. Position based out of Salt Lake City but remote for foreseeable future.

AmeriCorps VISTA Leader Benefits

Financial Support

oMonthly “living allowance” of $1,316 (pre-taxes) paid in biweekly installments.

Housing Assistance

oMonthly stipend of $300 paid directly to landlord or mortgage company.

End-of-Service Benefit

oThis is a full-time contract and commitment for the course of one year (365 days). Upon successful completion of the contract, the AmeriCorps VISTA Leader will receive one of two end-of-service benefits: 1) Segal AmeriCorps Education Award equivalent to $6,195 (to be used to pay for education costs at eligible institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay eligible student loans), OR 2) a $3,000 Cash Stipend.

Healthcare Benefit

oLimited options provided through International Medical Group.

oVisit https://americorpsvista.imglobal.com/ for more information.

Leave Benefits

o10 national holidays (observed by the IRC)

o10 personal days

o10 medical days

oExtended medical leave (up to 5 days)

oParental leave for birth/adoption (up to 10 days)

oEmergency leave for critical illness or death of immediate family member (up to 5 days)

Travel (if relocating from 50 or more miles away from Salt Lake City)

oRelocation Travel Allowance: Based on the direct mileage ($0.40/mile) between permanent home of record and the IRC.

oSettling-In Allowance: $750 (pre-taxes) intended to help with initial expense deposits and utilities.

oClose-of-Service Allowance: Same amount as Relocation Travel Allowance if moving back to permanent residence once service year is completed.

Childcare Assistance

oUp to $400/month per child under the age 13. Paid directly to qualified childcare provider(s).

oVisit https://www.americorpschildcare.com/ for more information.

To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA Leader benefits, visit https://www.vistacampus.gov/chapter-10-americorps-vista-leaders.