OHIO CAMPUS COMPACT AMERICORPS VISTA
Title: Ohio Campus Compact Connect2Complete AmeriCorps VISTA
Placement Site: Lorain County Community College
1005 N. Abbe Rd Elyria, OH
C2C Program Erin Corwin, Experiential Education Professional
Position Abstract
Do you love working with college students of all ages (traditional and non-traditional)? Does the thought of helping college students succeed in obtaining their credentials excite you? Join an elite team of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members serving across Ohio at institutions of higher education to help eliminate barriers that some students encounter during their first year of college.
Organization and Position Overview
This is a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA position sponsored by Ohio Campus Compact, and will be located on the campus of Lorain County Community College in the city/town of Elyria, in the office of Career Services. Working through our office, you will train a cadre of Peer Advocates to mentor students through barriers typically experienced by underserved college students by implementing and institutionalizing the Connect2Complete (C2C) Program.
Position Responsibilities
- Programming: Assist with the development and/or implementation of a campus student retention and success program based on our campus.
- Recruiting and Training: Recruit and train Peer Advocates from the student population.
- Other: Provide weekly reflection and support sessions for Peer Advocates, assist faculty in coordinating community engagement activities, and serve as liaisons between the Peer Advocates and campus administration offices, when necessary.
- Assessment: Coordinate the collection of evaluations and assessment data of students mentored by the Peer Advocates, and control groups.
- Coordination: Work with developmental education courses, Peer Advocates, and student participants to create and/or facilitate participation in community-engaged learning activities in conjunction with developmental education courses, credit-bearing leadership development courses for Peer Advocates, and through projects coordinated by Peer Advocates and campus community engagement offices.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement, Master’s degree preferred.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National or have status as a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.
- Able to successfully pass a background check before being officially enrolled by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
- Able to demonstrate a “can-do” attitude and provide work examples of success and innovation.
- Ability to work within/communicate with all levels of higher education administration staff and faculty.
- Ready to commit to a full year of AmeriCorps VISTA service on our campus; a second job is not allowed while serving as a VISTA.
Qualifications
- Strong written and oral communication skills, writing samples may be requested
- Able to deal effectively with ambiguity of tasks, able to take initiative, and to overcome obstacles.
- Ability to collaborate and communicate well with others from a variety of backgrounds.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently without daily supervision—strong organizational skills a must.
- Able to present oneself in a highly professional manner and be an ambassador and advocate for the program.
- Strong computer and social media skills.
- Letters of recommendation required.
We are committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to disability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Desirable Characteristics
- Volunteer experience and desire to develop a strong ethic of service
- Commitment to education equity
- Knows how to advocate for self
- Knows how to build a network and a community of support for personal well-being
- Proven track record as an accountable, responsive employee/student with a strong work ethic
- Motivated to live at poverty-level wages for one year for a greater good
- Strong reputation as a passionate leader, organizer, doer, and motivator
- Willing to take risks, accept criticism, ask difficult questions, and deal with frustration
- Ready for a challenge and motivated to make the most of this opportunity for the entire 12 months
- Sensitive to and knowledgeable about social justice
- Experience recruiting and empowering volunteers, working with community partners and creating sustainable solutions
- Fundraising/grant writing experience
Benefits
The following benefits apply for all AmeriCorps VISTA members. If you have additional benefits such as providing a parking pass or housing or meal stipend, please list at the bottom of this section. In addition, please note that VISTAs receive a living allowance, not a salary or hourly wage.
- Living allowance of $973 a month in Ohio, (pre-tax)
- Education Award of $5,550 or End-of-Service Stipend of $1,500 upon successful completion of service
- Federal Student Loan forbearance (if Education Award is elected)
- Training and professional development
- Health benefits
- Childcare assistance subsidies (if eligible)
- Relocation allowance if moving to a new location (more than 50 miles) for AmeriCorps service
- Other reasonable accommodations provided upon request
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTA supports efforts to alleviate poverty by encouraging individuals from all walks of life to engage in a year of full-time service with a sponsoring organization to create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
*VISTAs fight poverty.
*VISTAs commit to a year of full time service.
*VISTAs work with their sponsoring agency to bring communities and individuals out of poverty.
To apply, please submit an AmeriCorps*VISTA application online at http://tinyurl.com/lbwoweg
*IMPORTANT* - You must indicate your interest in Ohio Campus Compact
Please also email a cover letter and resume by FRIDAY 04/24/2015 to:
Erin Corwin, ecorwin@lorainccc.edu
