VISTA/Americorps

Catholic Charities of Tennessee

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Job Summary

AmeriCorps VISTA

Often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA enables motivated individuals to serve for twelve months in an area that most interests them. Making an impact on marginalized populations and communities by working with nonprofits to build their capacity to serve more, better, VISTA members commit to serve for one full year. Members must be 18 years old; be US Citizens, nationals, or legal residents; and must successfully complete a criminal background check. VISTA is a full-time commitment. Political advocacy, organizing or demonstration while on VISTA duty, or while perceived to be on duty, is prohibited. Part-time work is allowable with permission from your supervisor. While public transportation is available, a car is recommended.

Tennessee Office for Refugees

The Tennessee Office for Refugees (TOR) is a department of Catholic Charities Tennessee responsible for the coordination and administration of the statewide refugee program and management and oversight of federal funding for refugee-serving programs. We partner with organizations that provide direct services to refugees and other eligible populations in and near Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville. Positions are housed either at TOR’s office in Nashville, Bridge Refugee Services in Knoxville or Chattanooga, or World Relief’s office in Memphis (see job descriptions for location of each position).

 

*Please indicate in your cover letter which AmeriCorps VISTA position(s) most interests you.*

Job Responsibilities

VISTA English Language Tutor Program Coordinator (TOR office in Nashville, serves entire state)

Help create an English language training volunteer tutor program! The VISTA member will develop the curriculum and processes needed to implement a sustainable in-home tutoring program that can be duplicated across the state. The VISTA member will design and conduct a community assessment of existing English language training (ELT) resources and use the assessment to develop a work plan. The VISTA member will expand the capacity of organizations’ ability to respond to the ELT needs of their clients by developing new and strengthening existing relationships with key stakeholders and providers, as well as with potential volunteers and refugee communities. The VISTA member will research and evaluate existing ELT curricula, modifying for use by volunteers. The VISTA member will develop an outreach plan for volunteer tutors and pilot training for volunteer tutors. The VISTA member will evaluate the sustainability of the program and develop additional resources as needed, including grant writing. The VISTA member will collect and analyze data, using findings to make program improvements.  

TOR is looking for a self-starter who works well both independently and as part of a team. Eagerness to learn about refugees, mentoring, and all aspects of nonprofit program management and development are a must. English language teaching experience is a plus, as is significant intercultural experience. We are looking for a VISTA member with the ability to facilitate intercultural communication and to create an environment where differences are respected; the ability to exercise good judgment, curtesy, and tact in dealing with the public and staff; the ability to handle confidential information with extreme professionalism; attention to detail and adherence to deadlines; the ability to plan and organize work; the ability to follow tasks through to completion; effective interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication skills; and basic computer proficiency.

This is a great opportunity for a VISTA member who wants to develop leadership, program development and management, and community relations skills while making a real impact in the lives of refugees. Working with TOR will offer the VISTA member the opportunity to work specifically on this project, as well as to gain knowledge of and contribute to a statewide network of services. TOR is co-located within the Catholic Pastoral Center which houses all departments of the Diocese of Nashville and Catholic Charities of Tennessee, offering an opportunity for cross-department/agency collaboration and learning. The VISTA Leader will travel to site-based programs. Professional development opportunities will be provided on an ongoing basis.

VISTA Refugee Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator (Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Memphis)

Help build a new youth mentoring program! The VISTA member will help lead the development and implementation of a new mentoring program for refugee youth and young adults ages 15 – 24 to increase their educational and economic opportunities. The VISTA member will increase the capacity of the local refugee services network by strengthening and expanding partnerships with key stakeholders, mentoring networks, volunteers, and refugee communities. The VISTA member will exercise research, analytical, and creative skills in developing program and training materials, and public speaking and group facilitation skills in providing orientations for program participants and training for volunteer mentors. The VISTA member will expand the scope of supportive services for refugees by recruiting, assessing, and matching participants with volunteer mentors. The VISTA member will develop data collection and analysis skills by utilizing a program database and using findings to inform program improvements. The VISTA member will evaluate program sustainability and pursue additional resources as needed including grant writing. The VISTA member will coordinate with other site-based VISTA members and the VISTA Leader.

We are looking for a self-starter who works well both independently and as part of a team. Eagerness to learn about refugees, mentoring, and all aspects of nonprofit program management and development are a must. Foreign language proficiency in a refugee language and significant intercultural experience is a plus. We are looking for a VISTA member with the ability to facilitate intercultural communication and to create an environment where differences are respected; the ability to exercise good judgment, curtesy, and tact in dealing with the public and staff; the ability to handle confidential information with extreme professionalism; attention to detail and adherence to deadlines; the ability to plan and organize work; the ability to follow tasks through to completion; effective interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication skills; and basic computer proficiency.

This is a great opportunity for a VISTA member who wants to develop leadership, program development and management, and community relations skills while making a real impact in the lives of refuge youth and young adults. Working within a refugee resettlement agency will offer the VISTA member the opportunity to work deeply and specifically on this project, as well as to gain knowledge of and contribute to a continuum of resettlement services. The VISTA member will be part of a six VISTA member cohort that will meet regularly for training and coordination. Professional development opportunities will be provided on an ongoing basis.

VISTA Refugee Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator (TOR office in Nashville, serves entire state)

Help build a new youth mentoring program! The VISTA Leader will help lead the development and implementation of a new mentoring program for refugee youth and young adults ages 15 – 24 to increase their educational and economic opportunities. The VISTA Leader will develop leadership skills by supporting site-based VISTA members in the Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and greater Nashville by serving as the liaison between TOR and partner sites. The VISTA Leader will increase the capacity of the refugee services network by strengthening and expanding partnerships with key stakeholders, mentoring networks, volunteers, and clients. The VISTA Leader will exercise research, analytical, and creative skills in developing program and training materials, and public speaking and group facilitation skills in providing orientations for participants and training for volunteer mentors. The VISTA Leader will expand the scope of supportive services for refugees by recruiting, assessing, and matching participants with volunteer mentors. The VISTA Leader will develop data collection and analysis skills by utilizing program database and using findings to inform program improvements. The VISTA Leader will evaluate program sustainability and pursue additional resources as needed including grant writing.

TOR is looking for a self-starter who works well both independently and as part of a team. Eagerness to learn about refugees, mentoring, and all aspects of nonprofit program management and development are a must. Foreign language proficiency in a refugee language and significant intercultural experience is a plus. We are looking for a VISTA member with the ability to facilitate intercultural communication and to create an environment where differences are respected; the ability to exercise good judgment, curtesy, and tact in dealing with the public and staff; the ability to handle confidential information with extreme professionalism; attention to detail and adherence to deadlines; the ability to plan and organize work; the ability to follow tasks through to completion; effective interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication skills; and basic computer proficiency.

This is a great opportunity for a VISTA Leader who wants to develop leadership, program development and management, and community relations skills while making a real impact in the lives of refuge youth and young adults. Working with TOR will offer the VISTA Leader the opportunity to work specifically on this project, as well as to gain knowledge of and contribute to a statewide network of services. TOR is co-located within the Catholic Pastoral Center which houses all departments of the Diocese of Nashville and Catholic Charities of Tennessee, offering an opportunity for cross-department/agency collaboration and learning. The VISTA Leader will travel to site-based programs. Professional development opportunities will be provided on an ongoing basis.

Qualifications

See job descriptions for specific qualifications.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

For more information, please e-mail Louisa Saratora at lsaratora@cctenn.org.

Details

• Date Posted: January 31, 2020
• Type: VISTA / AmeriCorps
• Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
• Service Area: Social / Human Services
• Start Date: 02/03/2020
• Working Hours: 37-1/2 hrs/wk; 8:00am - 4:30pm