AmeriCorps VIP - nonprofit leadership experience

Save to Favorites

Position Title: Full-Time AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

Service Term: September 2017 - August 2018

Reports to: Christina Meeker, Words Alive

About Words Alive
Words Alive was established in 1999, founded on the belief that if you value reading and understand its fundamental connection to all aspects of your life, then you will be better equipped to thrive as a lifelong learner and productive member of the community. We reach over 5,500 underserved students and families each year with strong, meaningful literary programming to build healthy reading habits at home and to make equitable opportunity for success throughout generations in the community.

Position Summary

AmeriCorps VIP Fellows build volunteer capacity at existing nonprofits and schools that serve children, youth, and families. They do this through: 1) building sustainable systems to track, support, manage, and train volunteers; 2) recruiting one-time and skills-based volunteers; and 3) raising funds to support the development of the volunteer program. Partner Sites change annually based on community and agency need. This position is a valuable opportunity to develop and apply your leadership and community organizing skills to make a lasting difference. Extensive training in volunteer management and nonprofit professional skills is offered, including the opportunity to earn a certificate in Volunteer Management.

Position Description

Throughout the year, the AmeriCorps VIP will have the opportunity to work alongside Words Alive volunteer management to deliver the following.

• Volunteer Recruitment: year-round recruitment for programs, events, office support, skill-based opportunities
• Volunteer Intake: processing incoming volunteers and required documentation, and preparing volunteers for training
• Community and Corporate Partnerships: building new and growing existing partnerships in the community for visibility, recruitment, and fundraising purposes
• Position Descriptions: creating a system for volunteer position description review and update
• Risk Management: creating and updating policies and procedures to ensure staff and volunteers are proactively addressing risk within the organization
• Volunteer Tracking: improving the way we track volunteer participation, required documents, follow up, and retention through a new database
• Database Implementation: working with staff to develop systems within a new database
• Program Budget: building a budget for the program year that encompasses projected volunteer-related costs
• Volunteer Recognition: fostering relationships with our family of volunteers to promote our values and retain numbers, honor the work of volunteers throughout the year with monthly events and acts of appreciation culminating with an annual appreciation event
• Volunteer Evaluation: working with the programs to develop an improved method for evaluating the volunteer experience
• Fundraising: researching new funding opportunities, setting up a sustainable program funding pipeline (funds, in-kind donations, corporate matching, etc.)
• Communication: effective and individual communication with volunteers via newsletter, social media, email, phone, and in person; regular, professional communication with staff and partners across all media

Words Alive Qualifications:

• Meets the below AmeriCorps VIP qualifications
• Must submit a recent TB test
• Must have a sensitivity to and respect for the populations we serve
• Passion for education and literacy a plus

AmeriCorps VIP Overview

Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) Fellows are AmeriCorps members who build and strengthen sustainable volunteer programs in existing service organizations. VIP Fellows leave a legacy in the communities they serve by building lasting systems of volunteer engagement and management. Each VIP Fellow dedicates their service to a single Partner Site, working "behind the scenes" of service to enable volunteers to take part in meaningful service positions that meet community needs. VIP Fellows are a part of a statewide network of 180 Fellows, and are placed in regional cohorts in their community who meet regularly for collaboration and training.

Essential AmeriCorps Duties

• Develop and implement a volunteer program that engages high-value volunteers, particularly specialized/skilled volunteers and volunteers who take on leadership roles in the organization
• Develop business partnerships that provide support for the Partner Site
• Recruit and train community members as volunteers who support the infrastructure of programs run by nonprofit and educational organizations
• Track volunteer program and infrastructure development at the Partner Site, utilizing a defined AmeriCorps Member Work Plan
• Serve side-by-side with volunteers to provide guidance, to better understand the clients’ needs, and to improve the volunteer experience
• Participate in all program-required trainings and development opportunities, including orientation, regular meetings with your local VIP team, two regional trainings (travel and overnight stay provided), and online trainings

Service Commitment

• Full time, eleven month commitment serving a minimum of 1700 hours, may include some evenings and weekends
• Hours are generally Monday - Friday from 8:00 - 4:00PM (schedule will be discussed)

Areas of Responsibility

• Positively represent VIP in a variety of settings, including recruitment opportunities, staff meetings, trainings, and service events
• Assist with other community building activities at the Partner Site
• Create and maintain positive relationships with program staff
• Submit monthly Great Stories and volunteer data in the OnCorps system
• Conform to regular, timely attendance requirements at the assigned service site
• Duties take place at multiple site locales throughout California with training seminars at designated locations. Position requires occasional travel. Must be able to work indoors and outdoors, as well as some night and weekend hours
• Must meet the program essential job functions; reasonable accommodations available upon request
• Must be able to adapt to change in work environment, accept criticism and feedback, effectively handle multiple tasks and competing demands, work cooperatively in group situations work actively to resolve conflicts, and work well with others on a team
• Work independently and as a member of a team with strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks
• Possess leadership and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others
• An interest in and/or a background in community service and volunteerism

Benefits of Service

• Annual stipend of $15,000.00
• Education Award of $5,815.00
• Health Benefits
• Possible student loan deferment and interest repayment
• Extensive professional development and experiential learning opportunities

Qualifications and Characteristics

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Clear criminal background check (DOJ and FBI; National Sex Offender Public Database)
• Must either be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
• Must not have more than 3 terms of service previously with AmeriCorps State and National programs
• Organized, responsible, flexible, motivated and professional
• Strong personal standards of excellence, ethics and integrity
• Ability to be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the program’s safety policies and rules

Please send resumes and cover letters to Christina Meeker, Volunteer Program Manager, at christina@wordsalive.org .