AmeriCorps*VISTA springBoard - Skill-Based Volunteer Program Position

Hands on Atlanta’s Skills-Based Volunteerism Initiative aims to strengthen the business and technology infrastructure of metro-Atlanta nonprofit organizations by engaging volunteers to provide skilled consulting services in a particular professional discipline.

Volunteers with various business administration and technology skills will assess the needs of nonprofits and assist in the development and implementation of strategies to meet those needs, contributing to nonprofits’ sustainability and effectiveness. The idea is to impact the community by increasing nonprofits’ ability to accomplish their mission.

Hands On Atlanta will offer customized services staffed by volunteer consultants. Customized Consulting Projects places an individual volunteer or team of volunteers will work on a project requested by a nonprofit organization in order to develop and implement strategies to meet the nonprofit organizational needs. Projects will take place 3 month cycles, with a range of 15 to 120 hours from beginning to completion. During that time, volunteers work approximately 8 to 15 hours per month in teams (either remotely or on site).  The specific duration of any project (in days), number of volunteers involved, resources necessary will depend on the project and will be defined by a steering committee created specially to support the program.

management systems, procedural guides and curricula. The AmeriCorps*VISTA supported by program staff will develop effective systems for matching specific volunteer skills to the specific needs of community agencies and public schools through volunteer opportunities

• Target-recruit 35 nonprofit agencies to participate and complete the program.  

• With direction from the program manager support the steering committee to select the eligible projects

• Help recruit, train, place and retain 100 skills-based volunteer (leaders, project coordinators and technicians) to staff projects.

• Lead targeted recruitment efforts to involve baby boomers’ participation offering a flexible and challengeable program for those groups who seek leadership or decision making opportunities.  20% of skilled volunteers will identify themselves as “boomers”

• Creating an inventory of lessons learned. This inventory consists of a database which contains information regarding project failures/ difficulties, successful actions and proposals to deal or avoid similar situations in the future. This program inventory begins the process of creating curricula for the program.

• Document 2006 cycle activities and begin planning for 2007 cycles.

• Assist in enhancing the skill based leadership curriculum with a focus on sustainability, asset-based mapping and incorporation of principles of social justice and diversity.

Qualifications

• Able to work independently and in teams

• Well organized

• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills

• 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.