About New Jersey Bonner AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Program
The New Jersey Bonner VISTA Fellows Program is a post-college national volunteer service program developed in partnership of TCNJ’s Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement and the Bonner Foundation. The New Jersey Bonner VISTA Fellows comprise a cohort of 17 members who serve full-time to enhance volunteerism, develop economic opportunities, and address policy issues across central New Jersey.
Position Summary:
The NJ Bonner VISTA Fellows Program is seeking four Capacity Building Coordinators to mobilize research on social issues at the community, state and national level in partnership with the Bonner Foundation and four institutions of higher education – The College of New Jersey, Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-New Brunswick. One Coordinator will be based at each of the above higher education institutions and report to the Statewide Capacity Building Coordinator, who works directly at The Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey.
Major Responsibilities:
1) Develop partnerships with local organizations and coalitions whose mission is to address poverty-related issues;
2) Organize and support networks of community-based organizations around a common poverty-related issue for the purpose of new or enhanced program development;
3) Respond to data collection, analysis, and other community-based research (CBR) requests from community partners; and
4) Maintain the PolicyOptions.org website with new entries consisting of news digests, profiles of model programs, issue briefs, and a directory of organizations, programs, and people.
Position Qualifications:
• Must be available to serve full-time for one year
• Must be at least 18 years old
• 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
