RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA Join the Team!
"When I graduated from college, I had a decision to make. I could either take an entry-level position...or I could become a Rhode Island Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA. As a RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA, I get to inspire students to become civically engaged, work with community agencies daily, and develop programs to meet community needs." Jed Greenberg, RICC VISTA Alumni 04-05
Gain Professional Experience!
Serving as a RICC VISTA is a great way to gain professional experience in:
- Leadership development
- Volunteer recruitment and management
- Grantwriting
- Partnership development
- Service-learning course development
- Community service administration and asset-based community development
Qualifications
- A college graduate - Bachelor's or Associates
- Interested in service/service-learning in Higher Education or K12 schools
- A student leader- or have leadership experience
- Organized and able to work independently
- An effective communicator- written and verbal
- Interested in creating positive change in the community
Benefits
Each RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA is a full-time member and is eligible to receive:
- Post service choice of educational award ($4,725) or stipend ($1,200)
- Health coverage
- Child care assistance
- Monthly living allowance of $909
- Relocation allowance and/or travel to Pre-Service Orientation
- Training/Professional development opportunities throughout the year
- Non-competitive eligibility for federal employment following year of service
- Student loan forbearance
How to Apply
Interested applicants must apply online at http://my.americorps.gov beginning in February for positions starting in July. To find our program, use the Advanced Opportunity Search option and select the following: Program Type=AmeriCorps VISTA; State=Rhode Island; Program Name= Rhode Island Campus Compact.
RICC VISTA Recruitment and Selection Process
RICC VISTA recruits are college graduates who are committed to performing a voluntary year of national service. They come from around the country with varying backgrounds and goals. They are not experts in community service and/or service learning work; however the majority of our candidates do have knowledge in these fields either from college or other experiences.
RICC VISTA candidates are recruited through the existing RICC network and through the national AmeriCorps website. RICC VISTA host site campuses will assist RICC in the recruitment process by identifying potential candidates at their site and directing them to the national AmeriCorps website. The following is a step by step outline of the RICC recruitment and selection process:
Step 1: Each candidate must submit an AmeriCorps application along with the two completed online references to the RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA program.
Step 2: Each qualified candidate must participate in an interview, either over the phone or in person with a RICC staff member.
Step 3: A candidate displaying the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be accepted into the RICC VISTA program.
Step 4: With the assistance of RICC, accepted candidates will reach out to a maximum of three (3) potential host sites according to his/her preferences and anticipated fit. An on-campus interview is recommended in order for both the VISTA candidate and host site to determine a potential placement. However a telephone interview is fine for out of state candidates.
Step 5: Both the VISTA candidate and host site will report back to RICC about potential placement after interviews.
Step 6: As the official VISTA program sponsor, RICC retains the responsibility for collecting candidate and host site evaluations and making final placement decisions. Once a VISTA/host site match is made, RICC will notify both parties and assist the accepted candidate with remaining paperwork.
For More Information Please Contact:
Lizzie Lydon, AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader
401.427.6946 or llydon@risd.edu
"Being a RICC AmeriCorps*VISTA allows you to be involved in creating change at an integrated level that, as a recent college graduate, would almost be impossible to find elsewhere. Developing college courses and programs alongside faculty, students and community partners was an incredibly empowering experience. The work on campus was coupled with the support of a RICC corps that I still rely on today." Vanessa Jones, RICC VISTA Alumni 05-06