AmeriCorps VISTA: Development Project Leader

Posted by Youth Build Charter School on July 21, 2020

Our organization is searching for a 12-month AmeriCorps*VISTA: Development Project Leader at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School to build capacity (behind the scenes rather than direct service to students) to our career program.

YouthBuild Philadelphia is a life-changing, two-year program for 18-20 year olds who previously dropped out of high school.  During the first year of the program, students complete a competency-based high school diploma, vocational training (in childcare, construction, customer service, or healthcare) and serve as part-time AmeriCorps members.  In the second year of the program, alumni receive support to pursue their postsecondary goals in college and careers.  YouthBuild Philadelphia is an award winning, flagship program of the national YouthBuild movement and has been named a Top Workplace by the Philadelphia Inquirer for six consecutive years.

To apply, send letter of interest and resume to info.americorps@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “Development VISTA” in the subject line.  No phone calls, please.

The Development Project Leader will help the Development Department secure grants; cash donations; in-kind donations; and create tools, systems, and databases to help cultivate donors and support. He or she will also provide support in creating communications materials and strategies. The VISTA will develop efficient systems for:

• Donor cultivation: The VISTA will develop systems connected to donor research and outreach. He or she will support the Young Friends of YouthBuild Philly (YFYB) with engagement efforts including volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, and attending school activities in efforts to grow support base. The project will be deepened by using historical data to evaluate success trends.
• Social media support: work with communications team to develop engaging content for social media platforms, as well as manage Young Friends of YouthBuild Philly social media accounts in coordinator with YFYB Board members.
• Tracking grant trends and deadlines: Establish a system to evaluate and keep track of grant deadlines. In addition, the VISTA will look at historical data to establish recruitment benchmarks.
• Create communication/promotional material: The VISTA will develop materials that will support our outreach efforts.

 Benefits

• a living allowance of $14,097 annually ($542.22/biweekly pretax)
• an education award of approximately $6,195 upon successful completion of term of service
• loan forbearance w/ interest accrual payment (federal loans)
• child care coverage (if applicable)
• health benefits

This full-time AmeriCorps position is ideal for any candidate who is looking to gain experiences in any of the following areas: nonprofits, program design, research, data, postsecondary initiatives, career services, employer relations, college access programs, charter schools, and/or urban education.  Regular hours for this position are weekdays from 8a.m. to 4p.m. with flexibility required for occasional night or weekend events/projects.

Term and Qualifications for VISTA Members

Applicants for our full-time AmeriCorps/VISTA Member position must:

• Be a college graduate as of June 2020 who is—
  • proficient with Excel
  • research-focused
  • detail-oriented, and
  • passionate about serving at-risk populations
• Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
• Be in a position to offer full-time service for one year
• 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
• Be willing to live among and at the economic level of the low-income people served by the project and have a desire to provide needed community services to an under-served community
• Not listed in the National Sex Offender Registry database as convicted of a sex-related crime

Applicants cannot be the subject of legal proceedings (civil or criminal) that may consume time needed for their assignments