AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader, Youth Organized for Disaster Action

Posted by on May 19, 2006

AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader
Youth Organized for Disaster Action
Institute for Global Education & Service Learning

Become a change agent in education. Work with the Institute for Global Education & Service Learning to connect schools with communities, engage students in service learning, and help prepare communities for unexpected emergencies or disasters.

Applicants must have successfully completed a term of service as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member or Peace Corps volunteer to apply to the VISTA Leader position

Member Benefits
* $4,725 Education Award or End-of-service stipend of $2,400
* Student loan Forbearance or Deferment
* Health benefits
* Living allowance
* Relocation expenses
* Free personal and professional training
* The opportunity to help a community
* Training in job skills and career networking opportunities
* The chance to apply education and experience to help communities

Job Description
The Lead VISTA assigned to the Institute for Global Education & Service Learning (IGESL) will work with the Learn & Serve America Homeland Security Program ? YODA ? Youth Organized for Disaster Action. The Lead VISTA will work with the Program Manager, State Coordinators, schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a program of 8 VISTA members. The IGESL AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader will serve for one year, beginning June 2006. During this year of service the VISTA Leader will support IGESL in their efforts to market the AmeriCorps*VISTA positions, recruit members, and build public awareness of disaster preparedness; assist with planning and conducting on-site orientation and training for new members and provide members with weekly guidance and attention; and help develop effectiveness and cohesiveness among individuals serving in the IGESL AmeriCorps*VISTA program. For more information about the IGESL and YODA visit <a href="http://www.igesl.org">http://www.igesl.org</a>.

About the IGESL
IGESL is a non-profit organization that provides training and technical assistance to schools, community organizations, and National Service programs. The Institute is one of thirteen agencies named in the National and Community Service Act of 1993 as a central resource for service-learning programs. It is the Atlantic Regional Center for the National Service Learning Exchange and the hosting agency for national and international service-learning conferences.

About YODA
YODA – Youth Organized for Disaster Action. Y.O.D.A. is a service-learning program that helps young people prepare their families, schools, and communities for unexpected emergencies and disasters.

The purpose of YODA is to address homeland security and disaster response concerns by engaging students in service-learning activities in their schools and communities. The IGESL and it?s partners, PennSERVE and the NJ Commission on National and Community Service are providing students with a structured learning experience that allows them to enhance academic achievement, develop workplace-readiness skills, demonstrate active citizenship, and give back to their communities through service-learning while planning for and responding to health, safety, and security concerns in their schools or communities, including natural disasters, school violence, medical emergencies, or terrorist acts.

Term: 12-month term

Required Qualifications:
? The individual must have served and successfully completed a term of service as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, or as a Peace Corps Volunteer
? B.A. or B.S. in a relevant field
? Effective communication skills, particularly via E-mail and telephone
? Self-motivated, able to handle multiple on-going projects, and need minimal supervision
? Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet and database software, Internet and E-mail

Preferred Qualifications:
? Experience in developing effective school-community partnerships
? Experience coordinating and/or participating in service-learning and/or community service efforts
? Experience in training, facilitation, and strong public speaking skills

Training Opportunities: National AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Training and ongoing training and professional development opportunities provided by IGESL, and other program partners.

Subsistence Allowance: $985/month and an end-of-term stipend of $2,400 ($1,200 for Peace Corp members) OR Education Award of $4,725. (Health care and childcare are provided if necessary).

Location: The AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader will serve in the IGESL office in Levittown, PA (just outside of Philadelphia), and will support VISTA Members serving eight school districts in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader plays a vital role in providing support in each of the following areas:

? Recruitment and Public Awareness: The Leader supports IGESL in their efforts to market their AmeriCorps*VISTA positions, recruit members, and build public awareness of disaster preparedness.
? Member Support: The Leader will assist with planning and conducting on-site orientation and training for new members and provide members with weekly guidance and attention. Leaders support members and help them overcome many of the on-site barriers that may lead to early-termination.
? Member Performance: The Leader helps develop effectiveness and cohesiveness among individuals serving in the IGESL AmeriCorps*VISTA Program.

Specific activities to be performed by the IGESL?s AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader may include the following:

? developing and expanding AmeriCorps*VISTA projects;
? recruiting, screening, and training AmeriCorps*VISTA members;
? creating a support network for AmeriCorps*VISTA members;
? providing personal support such as help locating housing for AmeriCorps*VISTA members relocating to serve;
? Leaders will assist members in the development of community-campus partnerships;
? promoting information sharing and resource building among AmeriCorps*VISTA members and projects;
? assisting VISTA supervisors in the development and implementation of on-site orientation and training plans;
? developing web-based in-service training modules and other in-service training opportunities for AmeriCorps*VISTA members;
? fundraising, writing grants, and conducting broad-based public awareness campaigns.

Eligibility:
* Must have been a former AmeriCorps*VISTA member or Peace Corps volunteer
* U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S.
* 18 yrs or older
* Bachelor’s Degree preferred
* *Must make 12 month commitment to service
* **VISTA members may not have other outside commitments (i.e. school, second job, etc.)

*AmeriCorps*VISTA service is a one-year commitment. Members are expected to serve 12 months, full-time, excluding pre-service orientation. AmeriCorps*VISTA service is unique in that it involves a full immersion in the project and community. This is not a 9-to-5 job. You are expected to be available for the needs of your community and project at all times. If an individual believes he or she cannot fulfill this commitment, that person should not become an AmeriCorps*VISTA member.

**While serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member full or part-time employment is prohibited and full or part-time enrollment in school is prohibited.

For more information contact:
Julia Wagner, Program Manager
Institute for Global Education & Service Learning
2222 Trenton Rd
Lower Left Suite
Levittown, PA 19056
(215) 943-2718
jwagner@igesl.org