We are thrilled to announce Plymouth’s new AmeriCorps*VISTA position!

This is a professional volunteer opportunity to serve full-time for one year, building capacity and increasing community engagement for the organization.

(Note: The AmeriCorps*VISTA member is not an employee of Plymouth Housing Group.)

 

 

POSITION TITLE: Community Engagement & Housing Stability Coordinator

 

POSITION SUMMARY
The Community Engagement & Housing Stability Coordinator will address the needs of individuals transitioning from homelessness into stable housing. This position will increase the effectiveness of support for formerly-homeless adults moving into permanent housing by engaging community volunteers and staff in the implementation of new resident hospitality program.

The Community Engagement and Housing Stability project aims to expand and enhance support for homeless adults moving into Plymouth Housing. The VISTA member will implement systems and processes for the “First 30 Days” project, an initiative to provide increased hospitality to new Plymouth residents in their first month to ensure long-term success in permanent housing. The goal is for new residents to succeed in housing and to be more integrated in their new community. Through targeted recruitment and engagement of community volunteers, the creation of evaluation tools to assess impact of volunteers, and assessment of project deliverables, the VISTA will build capacity to provide supportive services to Plymouth residents. The VISTA member will establish a structure and process for community volunteers and staff to provide consistent support to residents upon moving into housing.

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development

• Meet with PHG staff across departments to identify needs and progress of new tenants in housing.
• Create toolkit for and coordinate implementation of “First 30 Days” Hospitality Initiative.
• Establish rubric for implementation, including defined action steps for staff and volunteers.
• Monitor implementation of toolkit and make recommendations for continued use.
• Establish metrics and evaluation tools to assess impact of community engagement.

Volunteer & Community Engagement

• Work with Volunteer Outreach Manager to develop volunteer support for new PHG tenants.
• Recruit, train, orient and place volunteers to support “First 30 Days” Hospitality Initiative.
• Develop plan for continued engagement of volunteers.
• Develop strategy to promote “First 30 Days” toolkit to volunteers and staff.
• Create strategy and conduct community outreach to promote support amongst stakeholders.
• Establish partnerships with external community groups interested in supporting Hospitality Initiative.
• Develop focus for, and solicit in-kind donations for essential needs of new tenants in housing.

Administrative

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in volunteer database, producing activity reports as needed.
• Attend and participate in scheduled supervision and team meetings to discuss general program issues and goals. Attend other meetings and in-service trainings as requested.
• Follow program and agency policies and procedures. Provide input to program policies, procedures and goals, as requested. Read materials as requested.

 

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• One to two years of experience working with non-profits and/or college degree in related field.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Willingness to work in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent organizational abilities and project and time management skills.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing workload.
• Ability to develop and sustain successful relationships with community agencies and resources
• Proficiency with MS office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel and Publisher.
• Empathic patience with individuals who are heavily-impacted by addiction, mental health concerns, and trauma.
• Experience managing volunteers and/or working with homeless or low-income populations desirable.
• Willingness to maintain a strong work ethic in the face of challenges such as living on a VISTA stipend.

Since this is an AmeriCorps VISTA position, applicants must also meet the following minimum standards of eligibility:

• Be at least 18 years old upon entering VISTA training. There is no upper age limit.
• Be U.S. citizens 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. AmeriCorps assesses criminal history on a case-by-case basis when determining applicant eligibility.
• 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. VISTA requires applicants to have a high school diploma/equivalent or be working toward completing one during the service year.
• Be willing, to the maximum extent practicable, to live among and at the economic level of the low-income people served by VISTA projects. Employment of any kind outside of VISTA is prohibited.
• Understand that VISTAs serve on a full-time basis. Therefore, VISTAs cannot hold part-time jobs, enroll in school except in limited circumstances, or be subjects of legal proceedings (civil or criminal) that may consume time needed for VISTA assignments. VISTA service cannot be used to satisfy service requirements of parole or probation.

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Living allowance: Approximately $1,069/month (before taxes)
• Health benefits in compliance with the minimum coverage standards of the ACA
• End of Service Award: $5,730 Education Award or $1,500 cash stipend
• Student loan deferment or forbearance
• Childcare assistance
• 10 days of sick leave, 10 days of vacation leave
• Professional work experience
• In-service training resources
• Non-competitive eligibility for Federal jobs
• Orca pass

 

To apply, please submit a resume and letter of interest outlining:

1. your experience with the requirements listed above, and
2. why you are interested in this position.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Interviews will take place at Plymouth Housing Group in November 2014, with an expected start date in February 2015. Email all materials to Elisabeth Vasquez Hein, Volunteer Outreach Manager, at volunteer@plymouthhousing.org