AmeriCorps VISTA, Project Coordinator, Philadelphia Youth Network

Posted by on May 01, 2011

AmeriCorps VISTA, Project Coordinator, Philadelphia Youth Network

Posted on: April 19, 2011

Service Description:
Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) is seeking three AmeriCorps VISTA members to provide critical support to the organization’s efforts to strengthen and sustain WorkReady Philadelphia, the city’s system of workforce development services that targets low-income youth ages 14-21. One of a number of network models developed and managed by PYN in its capacity as staff to the Mayor-appointed Philadelphia Council for College and Career Success (PCCCS – the local Workforce Investment Board Youth Council), WorkReady Philadelphia aligns the efforts of the private sector, government, foundations, the School District of Philadelphia and community organizations to provide career and college preparation, academic enrichment and work-readiness training through a combination of year-round and summer-only programs.

WorkReady Summer is Philadelphia’s “more than a summer job” program for in-school and out-of-school youth that offers six-week (120 hours), paid opportunities through one of three program models: service-learning, work experience, and internships. In addition to gaining valuable work experience, youth engage in targeted contextual learning activities and are supported in acquiring skills needed in a 21st century workforce. To better manage this complexity and to assure youth have consistently high-quality, educationally-enriched summer work experiences, the Philadelphia Youth Network has targeted three programmatic and operational areas for development: worksite recruitment and assessment, contextual-learning, and provider capacity building. AmeriCorps VISTA members would conduct essential background research and assist in planning, implementing and sustaining changes or enhancements in these three areas.
VISTA Service Areas: Community and Economic Development, Community Outreach, Children/Youth, Education

VISTA Essential Functions:
• VISTA activities will be heavily geared towards research, development, and evaluation, with the bulk of time concentrated on assessing and documenting the current status of each project area to be addressed and providing recommendations for long-term improvement and/or enhancement.
• VISTA activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
o Develop a project plan for their assigned area
o Conduct on-going academic and field research on the project area they are assigned with the aim of documenting best practices, identifying on-going challenges and providing concrete recommendations for how to move the project forward
o Convene and conduct on-going meetings/workgroups/strategy sessions to engage relevant PYN staff, contracted providers and external partners in project next steps
o Support the development and piloting of new processes, tools and/or systems updates to support needed or desired enhancements in the three focus areas
o Provide training and TA around the use of any new processes/tools/systems updates
o Engage in initial data collection and analysis in order to understand presenting successes or challenges in the operationalization of new processes/tools/systems
Education, Experience & Skills Required:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse groups
• Team-oriented and able to produce in a high-paced environment
• Demonstrated independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of youth development practices and techniques, particularly with vulnerable populations, is desirable
• Proficient computer skills
• Successful completion of child abuse clearance and criminal background check

Please send Cover Letter and Resume to:
Philadelphia Youth Network
Attn: Human Resource Dept.
714 Market St. Suite 304
Philadelphia, Pa 19106
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (267) 502-3868