Strategic Volunteer Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA

Background on AmeriCorps VISTA

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.

Job Overview:

Under the supervision of the volunteer coordinator, the Strategic Volunteer Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA (service member) will build organizational capacity at the IRC in Salt Lake City by bolstering existing volunteer management, engagement and communications strategies. As the IRC in Salt Lake City prepares to ramp up refugee resettlement in the coming years as federal policy shifts, increased capacity to maintain and scale volunteer operations will improve efficiency and program effectiveness for the families served. The service member will be responsible for reviewing current operations, identifying areas for improvement, piloting volunteer engagement and recognition activities, implementing volunteer communications strategies, working to build a framework for outcomes-drive volunteer activities and standardizing volunteer and intern onboarding and support systems.

Major Responsibilities:

·Build on existing volunteer engagement and management strategies to develop, design and pilot focused improvements.

·Solicit feedback from stakeholders at all levels to improve processes and strategies, including those served by the IRC in Salt Lake City, volunteers, interns, program staff, and external sources.

·Perform SWOT analyses upon completion of piloted systems improvements to determine future efficacy.

·Develop, pilot and recommend implementation of volunteer recognition activities tailored to the context of the pandemic and other local factors.

·Develop, design and pilot a monthly volunteer newsletter focused on community building within active and former volunteers; determine opportunities to expand volunteer communications strategies.

·Gain an understanding of volunteer recruitment, management, onboarding, training and support systems; develop toolkits to organize each step of the process and identify gaps in resources available.

·Develop improved support frameworks for interns and volunteers focused on improving quality of experience and level of engagement.

·Collaborate across all IRC programming to identify opportunities to standardize processes and increase program capacity to incorporate a greater number of volunteers.

·Participate in strategy discussions to support the development of responsive initiatives to scale volunteer operations to meet new demands brought on by refugee resettlement.

·Support volunteer recruitment and onboarding efforts through community presentations and Volunteer Information Sessions where public speaking to small groups is required.

·Support large-scale development team activities at key points in the year, such as Winter Clothing Drive, Breaking Bread, and Light One Candle.

·Participate in monthly, office-wide activities like Office Support, Staff Meetings, and Front Desk Support (dependent on pandemic).

·Join development team meetings, Volunteer Community of Practice, and organization-wide discussions on Strategy100 and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion among other cross-cutting initiatives.

·Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

This position reports to the Volunteer Coordinator and works closely with other development team members.  The position will liaise with program managers and coordinators at the IRC in Salt Lake City as well as key stakeholders in the community.

Work Environment:

Standard work environment and regular office hours. Position based out of Salt Lake City but remote for foreseeable future due to the pandemic. May require some in-person activities following strict safety guidelines. Some flexibility to start fully remote or out of state but must be in Salt Lake City within one month of start date if relocating.

AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits

·Financial Support

oMonthly “living allowance” of $1,116 (pre-taxes) paid in biweekly installments.

·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 will receive one of two end-of-service benefits: 1) Segal AmeriCorps Education Award equivalent to $6,345 (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 $1,800 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.