VISTA, Camden College Access Network

Posted by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey on May 18, 2015

New Jersey Campus Compact Collective Impact VISTA Project
VISTA Recruitment Position Description, 2015-16
Camden College Access Network (CCAN)

About New Jersey Campus Compact Collective Impact VISTA Project
The New Jersey Campus Compact Collective Impact VISTA Project is building a cohort of AmeriCorps VISTA members to support the anti-poverty work of twelve large-scale, cross-sector, partnerships focused on increasing both educational and economic opportunity, improving access to care, and reducing crime and substance abuse. One of these partners is the Camden College Access Network (CCAN). CCAN is a new collaborative that will partner with the Camden City Public Schools, numerous high school student support agencies, and all of the higher education institutions in the City of Camden (Rowan University, Camden County Community College, Rutgers-Camden). CCAN is charged with creating educational pathways to increase the number of underrepresented students in and around the city of Camden who apply, enroll and successfully complete post-secondary education. As a New Jersey Campus Compact Collective Impact VISTA, you will serve with CCAN senior staff, higher education faculty and staff, nonprofits, and educators to build CCAN’s anti-poverty programs.

Responsibilities and Service Activity Areas
1. Community Assessment: Help design and conduct needs assessment regarding public school access to college; Conduct needs assessment of current college access programs in Camden City; Collect baseline data on college access indicators for Camden high school students (FAFSA completion rates, average SAT scores, post-secondary attainment, etc.) and compile report
2. Performance measurement: Help develop performance management system for high school success and college access; track FAFSA completion, SAT scores, AP classes, GPA, and college attendance to ensure quality and sustainability of efforts
3. Program development and delivery: Help streamline existing program design; Conduct a survey of programming and training needs for staff and volunteers for college access initiatives in Camden city. Create a report on the findings; Provide a well researched, cited, action plan addressing programming and trainings needs in order to appropriate funding accurately and to attract new sources of support.
4. Financial resources: Develop fundraising plan; developing a list of grant providers that support collaborative organizations including local, state, federal, corporate, and philanthropic foundations, and support the development of grant proposals
5. Volunteer recruitment and management system: To ensure that Camden-wide access programs in schools and at service agencies act with appropriate and successful ratios, VISTAs will recruit volunteers/training professionals, organize trainings events, and evaluate the outcomes of the trainings by tracking trainees.
6. Attend AmeriCorps VISTA and New Jersey Campus Compact skills and professional development trainings throughout the year.

Qualifications
● Civic-minded and willing to learn about research-based solutions to systemic poverty issues.
● Open to all educational backgrounds, political science, journalism, marketing/communications, and sociology/anthropology majors strongly encouraged to apply
● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
● Exceptional organization and time management skills with an attention to detail
● Self-starter with the ability to work independently or in a team
● Flexibility, with a strong work ethic and ability to multitask
● Highly adaptable to culturally diverse individuals and work environments
● Minimum of one year of experience or service in low-income communities preferred
● Ability to prepare presentations, graphs, and reports based on quantitative data
● Ability to make data and research clear and accessible to a wide variety of audiences
● Proficiency in navigating web-based applications including calendars, email, and social media
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with a particular focus on Excel
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required
● Ability to pass a background check
● Ability to commit to full year of service
● Relocate to New Jersey if necessary

Benefits
● Public policy, communications, nonprofit management, career pathways, and leadership training
● Campus Compact and AmeriCorps national learning and career networks
● Critical thinking, problem solving, and project management skills
● Enhanced cultural competence
● Opportunities to conduct research with professors and leading poverty-related issues experts
● Basic Health Benefits
● Modest Living Allowance – Camden County $11,796
● Relocation Allowance – depending on distance of travel
● Choice of $5,735 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or $1,500 End of Service Stipend upon completion of service
● Federal Student Loan Postponement and Interest Payments available
● One Year of Federal Employment Non-Competitive Exclusion status
Conditions for Students Enrolled in College or University
● If enrolled at a college or university, VISTA members may participate in classes, online or in-person, regardless of subject matter, during their service year. Coursework and class scheduling must not interfere with the operations of the VISTA project or your responsibilities. VISTA members may create an internship opportunity for course credit or other non-monetary benefit, for example.
● A VISTA member may participate in scholarship and financial aid programs, provided the program requirements do not interfere with the operations of the VISTA project to which they are assigned or the responsibilities of the VISTA.
● Should there prove to be candidates of similar suitability for the position, the candidate with fewer ongoing time commitments such as coursework will be given priority. The VISTA project’s needs supersede any school requirements.
● If a VISTA pursues outside employment while in VISTA service, the VISTA is not permitted to be an employee of or contractor for the sponsor, sub-recipient, or other project-related organization to which the VISTA is assigned to serve. While in VISTA service, the VISTA may only accept outside employment for positions that are: Part-time; Do not conflict at all with the VISTA’s service or service hours; Do not violate any applicable Federal, state, and local laws and regulations; and Do not conflict with any AmeriCorps VISTA program requirements or policies. Supervisors must provide written approval.

Application and Deadlines for VISTA Candidates

● With subject line “NJ Campus Compact VISTA Project,” please email [email protected] with an attached cover letter, resume, and three references.
● Complete the application form on the AmeriCorps VISTA portal: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do;jsessionid=yMLJVdvBRTJgnnnrTMSGh9J1j1Thl4FY2qpxnvQ1wPSnJYmhQ42q!1557559264.
● May 22, 2015 is the deadline for applications. Priority will be given to candidates who send the email as specified AND complete the online application.
● Qualified candidates exemplifying our requirements and a passion for national community service will be invited to the interview round, taking place between May 23- June 19, 2015.
● The successful candidate will be offered a position by June 23, 2015.
● Candidates accepting an offer must be available August 25-28 for a VISTA Pre-Service Orientation. The VISTA term officially begins August 29, 2015.
● Feel free to contact Dr. Saul Petersen, Executive Director of New Jersey Campus Compact, with questions. [email protected], 609-335-3668