HousingForward Virginia and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are seeking a summer only AmeriCorps member to serve as a Program Assistant. The candidate will ideally begin service on August 1, 2020 and serve a minimum of 300 hours through the end of his/her/their term on September 30, 2020. The exact start and end date will be discussed and confirmed with a Member Agreement of Participation. The individual selected to serve is not considered to be an employee of HousingForward Virginia or LISC.
ORGANZIATION BACKGROUNDS
HousingForward Virginia is a broad-based, statewide partnership of public and private organizations and committed individuals. We believe that all Virginians should have access to high quality, affordable housing in suitable locations. HousingForward Virginia supports affordable housing development organizations with tools and resources for development, policy, and planning. We demonstrate the need for affordable housing throughout Virginia; support the work of local and regional housing networks to educate, communicate and advocate for affordable housing; and convene key stakeholders to advance forward-looking housing policy development and facilitate dialogue on affordable housing trends.
With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Over the last 38 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $20 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. These investments have leveraged more than $60.4 billion in development activity and helped families and communities raise their standards of living. LISC investments impact the lives of nearly 7 million Americans. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 35 markets and a Rural program making an impact in 2,100 counties. Visit us at www.lisc.org
AMERICORPS MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The AmeriCorps member will assist HousingForward Virginia, with support from the LISC National Health Initiatives team, in bringing resources and technical assistance to Richmond housers to address social determinants of health (SDoH) in community development projects, especially affordable and workforce housing. The member will support in the creation of tools, toolkits, templates, reference guides and other forms of technical assistance to aid local CDCs and community based organizations and institutions in utilizing the Enhance Impact Initiative — specifically, to support the application of a health equity framework to their projects and facilitate the integration of SDoH activities into the development, design and planning process. The AmeriCorps member will create and/or refine existing templates and tools used to identify, critically assess, and prioritize SDoH interventions most likely to improve the health of residents and community members. They will ensure contextual relevancy and local specificity, especially as relates to financial resources and policies to support implementation of SDoH interventions. The member will research best practices and produce concise case studies on economic, social, community, health and environmental health determinants. Local affordable housing developers have asked for support, for example, on ways to identify the best combinations of SDoH interventions to address the most common issues of their neighborhood residents. The AmeriCorps member will also conduct outreach and engagement with local leaders and residents on these tools, and on obtaining a better understanding of the SDoH needs of community members and affordable housing residents. This work will including preparing for and developing materials for these meetings (likely virtual to safely navigate the novel coronavirus pandemic). The member will attempt to recruit CDCs to implement the Enhance Impact initiative and provide basic technical assistance support with the use of existing tools. The member will develop templates for internal organizational collaboration that facilitates inter-departmental review and planning for projects, as well as external partnership strategies. The member will receive direct support, training and mentorship from LISC Health to accomplish these activities.
PERFORMANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
This is an AmeriCorps position. LISC and HousingForward Virginia will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member. Members will be provided with goal(s) at the onset of the service assignment based on the activities and responsibilities noted above. Members will track goal attainment monthly through an on-line system (training provided). Members will also discuss professional performance in the form of a mid-term and final appraisal. Members are required to track time and submit on-line (training provided) timesheets twice per month.
Members will perform day to day service at HousingForward Virginia and serve a minimum of 35 hours per week. Normal service hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm with 30 minutes for lunch per day. There will be opportunities to serve evenings and weekends. Members will have an immediate supervisor and a local LISC supervisor throughout the term of service as identified by LISC and HousingForward Virginia.
Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:
- Attending a local onboarding session coordinated by LISC and an onsite orientation to our organization;
- Attending all locally sponsored monthly meetings;
- Participating in nationally sponsored webinars;
- Actively participating in team coordinated service projects; and,
- Engaging in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC office.
DESIRED SKILLS
- Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Computer skills
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate must meet all eligibility requirements to serve as a National Service participant including but not limited to:
- Be eligible to earn 100% of the education award associated with this description
- Be eligible to perform the term of national service associated with this description
- Have unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by CNCS during the pre-enrollment period
- Possess a high school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED during the term of service
- Be at least 17 years of age (note there is no upper age limit)
- Be able to complete at the hours within the timeframe of the service term and serve the full term
NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH REQUIREMENT
If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. Candidates who are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of murder may not participate as an AmeriCorps member in any national service program. Only candidates being offered and then accepting the position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, State Level Criminal History Search, and an FBI search. All results must be received and reviewed by LISC at least two weeks prior to the first day of proposed service. Candidates must be cleared for service by LISC prior to the first day of service. LISC will review and discuss with the candidate any concerns with eligibility that may arise as a result of these checks as per LISC’s policy.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $1,289.95 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place existing student loans (loans must qualify and not in a state of default) into AmeriCorps forbearance. The position pays a total stipend of $3000. The stipend is taxable and paid in 8 equal checks from HousingForward Virginia.
Additional benefits for alums can be found here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates should apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to: admin@housingforwardva.org
We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process. This program is available to all, and we treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.