Workforce Development Intermediary Project Coordinator
New Jersey Bonner AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Program
The New Jersey Bonner AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow Program is a national volunteer service program developed in partnership of The College of New Jersey’s Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement and the Bonner Foundation. New Jersey Bonner VISTA Fellows will work to enhance volunteerism, develop economic opportunities, and address literacy and hunger across central New Jersey in the Trenton and New Brunswick areas. Fifteen positions are available to work directly with community-based organizations in Trenton, TCNJ, and Rutgers University Civic Engagement and Service Education Partnership Program. The Workforce Development Intermediary Project Coordinator will work directly at TCNJ’s Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement.
About the Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement at The College of New Jersey
Founded in 2004, TCNJ’s Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement helps TCNJ maintain its mission to excellence in citizenship and to be a national exemplar in the education of those who seek to sustain and advance the communities in which they live. The Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement at The College of New Jersey is responsible for mobilizing faculty, students and staff to help sustain and advance the communities in which we live; in other words, to find mission-consistent ways to improve the quality of life for all. It cultivates the common ground that exists between the educational mission of the College and the needs of non-profit organizations and neighborhoods. It does so by creating teaching and learning opportunities that simultaneously build the capacity of TCNJ students and these groups and communities. Students become more knowledgeable, skilled and civic minded—while community partners gain additional resources to effectuate positive change. Visit us at http://bonner.pages.tcnj.edu/
About the Position: Workforce Development Intermediary Project Coordinator
The Workforce Development Intermediary Project Coordinator will work to develop a sustainable intermediary system to link low to middle-skilled workers to gain and retain employment in industries that provide opportunities for advancement. This AmeriCorps*VISTA position will focus on researching current employment trends and job trainings for adults facing multiple barriers to employment in the Trenton and Mercer County area.
In year one, to help develop a more effective track towards self-sufficiency for the four partner organizations which primarily deal with 17-24 year old out-of-school youth with a criminal history (Isles Youth Build, PEI Kids) and chronically unemployed adults (Rescue Mission, TASK) , 1 VISTA worker will convene local stakeholders and accomplish the following: 1) research what employment/job sectors are growing, 2) determine what relevant training programs are in place for the aforementioned target populations to access those emerging jobs, 3) deliver reports to the 4 partners agencies to increase their understanding of the opportunities; 4) create formats to assure all useful information is visible and accessible to other non-profit practitioners seeking to increase employment rates 5) assess the gaps in service and the specific barriers that are hindering participation among the groups listed above.
What is AmeriCorps*VISTA?
AmeriCorps*VISTA is the national service program designed to specifically fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. VISTA Members commit to serve full-time for a year at a community based organization or institution working to fight poverty. For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA, please visit www.americorps.gov.
AmeriCorps*VISTA Benefits
• Choice of $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or a $1,500 End of Service Stipend
• Modest living allowance
• Health Care Benefits
• Child Care Assistance, if eligible
• Personal/Medical Leave
• Relocation allowance
• Life Insurance
• Liability Insurance
• Training
• Post-service federal employment incentives and opportunities
Position Qualifications
• Must be available to serve full-time for one year
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience with community service and/or non-profit organizational work a plus
• Ability to research information and make strong recommendations for best effective practices
• Self-starter who can work independently and on a team
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and constituencies
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Computer proficiency with emphasis on MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and willingness to learn and use a variety of online tools, including Wikis, Facebook and other social media tools
HOW TO APPLY:
Before applying, please read additional information about serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member:
All applicants must submit an AmeriCorps*VISTA application, which includes an online form to be filled out by two references, on the national “My AmeriCorps” site. You can find our listing by visiting www.americorps.gov.
1. Under “Join AmeriCorps,” click on “Advanced Opportunity Search” A new page should open.
2. Use the Program Type dropdown menu to select “AmeriCorps VISTA.”
3. Use the State dropdown menu to select “New Jersey” and type “NJ Bonner VISTA Fellows” in the Program Name field.
4. The next window should list our available positions and allow you to apply now.
Expected Start Date: February 2012
If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Camp or Kristi Cordier at 609-771-2108, or vista {at} bonner(.)org.
