Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator (VISTA), YouthBuild Charter School

Posted by on June 11, 2012

Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator (VISTA)

Background: YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School (YBPCS) serves a young adult population of 18-20 year-old high school dropouts. The school offers participants a unique opportunity to earn a high school diploma and acquire important job skills through a vigorous 12-month program of alternating three 6-week blocks of academics and work experience. The core academic courses consist of Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and General Science. The work experience consists of hands-on training in construction, computer-refurbishment, or healthcare assistance. YBPCS has been in operation for 20 years and received its charter in 1997. In the 2011-12 school year, the school is serving 213 students. Regular school hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Mission: Our mission is to provide out-of-school youth in Philadelphia with the broadest range of tools, supports and opportunities available to become self-sufficient, responsible and productive citizens in their community. We develop the character, knowledge, and skills of our students so that they will succeed in top-quality colleges, trade schools and the competitive world beyond.

Member Duties & Responsibilities: The Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator will work to develop and expand a trained volunteer and partnership base that works to impact YBPCS’s mission. The Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator will: enhance our volunteer recruitment plan and work with our staff to identify both qualified and suitable pools of volunteers, as well as opportunities within the program for volunteers to connect with students and staff; develop employer relationships for short-term employment opportunities; develop partnerships to launch a professional attire program for students and alumni; and link alumni to local social service resources. For this position, we are seeking a college graduate, with excellent communication skills, the ability to proactively develop positive relationships, and a commitment to community engagement and education; familiarity with engaging employers and/or the Philadelphia business community is preferred but not required.

Our twelve-month position as a Full-Time AmeriCorps VISTA Member requires that successful applicants must:
• Be at least 18-years-old upon entering VISTA training. There is no upper age limit
• Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
• Not listed in the National Sex Offender Registry database as convicted of a sex-related crime
• Be available to attend a mandatory VISTA Pre-Service Orientation the week of July 29th
• Be in a position to offer full-time service for one year (August 6, 2012 – August 5, 2013)
• 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 while receiving the following benefits: a living allowance of $949/month, an education award of $5,350 upon successful completion of term of service, loan forbearance w/ interest accrual payment, child care coverage (if applicable), and health benefits.

Applicants must also understand VISTAs serve on a full-time basis. VISTAs cannot hold part-time jobs, or be the subject of legal proceedings (civil or criminal) that may consume time needed for their assignments

How to Apply:
To apply, send letter of interest and resume to Frederick Bader, HR Coordinator, at fbader@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “VISTA Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.