AmeriCorps*VISTA Position

Civic Engagement Programming

Hands On Atlanta’s civic engagement programming 1) offers volunteers practical skill-building tools to become more effective in leading community change and 2) focuses on connecting volunteers to the public policy and social policy issues that necessitate volunteer service. Through a series of community-based service learning activities Hands On Atlanta hopes to deepen a volunteer’s connection to service and inspire greater participation.

Hands On Atlanta’s civic engagement programs are designed to deepen the impact of volunteers and develop a pipeline of capable, committed community leaders and public servants. The AmeriCorps*VISTA member will strengthen Hands On Atlanta programming by working to institutionalize volunteer leadership in an effort to increase capacity and inspire volunteers toward deeper commitment.

Program Management

The AmeriCorps*VISTA member will assist in the development of the social-issue based curriculum of the Citizen Academy to equip volunteers with meaningful and applicable knowledge of the relevant community social issues The AmeriCorps*VISTA member will Develop relationships, build capacity, and enhance the quality of the Civic Engagement programs and its interaction with community organizations and volunteers.

Training/Facilitation

q       In partnership with community stakeholders, identify course topics which address the specific needs and interests of underserved groups such as immigrant, disabled, senior citizen and low-income communities.

q       Strengthening the service learning curricula—particularly by making the connection between the courses and volunteer opportunities with local agencies.

q       Establish and cultivate 20 new relationships with clubs, civic organizations to create partnerships for the Citizen Academy.

q       Collaborate with internal and external resources to research, develop, and plan, on average, 40 courses per year filling more than 1,500 opportunities for community members to learn a transferable skill that will improve community.

q       Maintains handbook or database of service-learning and other resources to be used to compliment ongoing and special event direct service volunteer opportunities.

 Measurement

q       Track participants response to post-course surveys.  50% of Citizen Academy participants will indicate an immediate intention for civic action or greater community involvement.

q       Assist in developing a mechanism to track the actual civic engagement behaviors of participants after having completed a course.

Recruitment

q       Recruit volunteer faculty and provide all logistical support and information to volunteer faculty who present civic engagement courses.

q       Assist in developing recruitment techniques to involve larger numbers of immigrant, disabled, senior citizen and low-income individuals as participants in Community Leadership Institute courses

Qualifications

·         Able to work independently and in teams
·         Organized and detailed in planning
·         Proven project management experience
·         Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
·         Understanding of social change & community organizing
·         Knowledge of how to access and research external community resources
·         Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet software

*Applicant need not already be an AmeriCorps Vista.  VISTA's, will receive a stipend or educational award, healthcare and childcare among other benefits.

For more information, or to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at Hands On Atlanta.