various VISTA positions, Penn State in Philadelphia

Posted by on November 15, 2002

The below positions will assist with the coordination of a community university partnership between the Belmont neighborhood in West Philadelphia and The Pennsylvania State University. Positions will begin in January 2003. For more information, please contact Kindra Welch at (215) 471-2223, or go to: AmeriCorps On-line Recruitment Site.

The Community Organizing Coordinator will serve as the VISTA team leader to ensure successful outreach and feedback regarding four project areas. The primary forums for this activity will include a Community Advisory Committee and a Task Force for each project. The Coordinator will have primary responsibility for communication among community partners, faculty and students project teams, Americorps*VISTA team members, and residents. Activities will include recruitment of resident participation, coordination of project meetings, neighborhood workshops, and resident training.

The Economic Development Coordinator will coordinate technical assistance and training related to activities that support local businesses and organization in improving the economic condition of Belmont?s merchants and residents. The Coordinator will have primary responsibility in assisting with capacity building of a local merchant association, the formation of a local community credit union, and training in small business development. Activities will include coordination of university technical assistance related to economic development, organizing workshops, and training sessions related to economic development.

The Environment Coordinator will assist with the formation of a community partnership to support the implementation of neighborhood improvement projects related to parks and open space. Coordination of partnership meetings and community outreach related to a pilot project will be the primary responsibility of the coordinator. Activities will include recruitment of community organizations and residents interested in environmental issues, the development of a Memorandum of Agreement between partnering organizations and agencies, and coordination of university technical assistance related to land management and park development.

The Technology Education Coordinator will assist small businesses and community organizations in capacity-building related to information technology literacy. Support to an information technology assessment, a University recycled computer program, and instruction related to information technology literacy will be the primary responsibility of the Coordinator. Activities will include recruitment of pilot businesses and organizations, facilitation of computer distribution and technical support, and coordination of university technical assistance related to a technology literacy curriculum.