DNDA Community Engagement and Communications Specialist: AmeriCorps VISTA

START/END DATE: 6/3/2024 - 6/2/2025

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Increase Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association’s capacity to help families living in Delridge and throughout Southwest Seattle gain familiarity with resources, create best practice tool-kits for increased neighborhood outcome-based engagement, create and implement a communication work plan in conjunction with DNDA Communications Team, and create, share and implement a needs assessment of our affordable and public housing communities to support program design, implementation, and evaluation for our Arts, Nature, Neighborhood programs. Increase the agency’s capacity to help families living in Delridge gain familiarity with resources, build relevant programs and curriculum with the goal of connecting low-income children to educational resources and connecting families to educational and community resources to achieve long term economic stability.

MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a framework for the needs assessment of DNDA affordable housing and public housing residents so we can create an effective engagement and service plan and increase residents’ connections, and financial and housing securities.
• Improve communications and outreach with residents, foster trust, and relationships.
• Develop data collection methods and improve program evaluations across all DNDA’s Art, Nature, and Neighborhood programs.
• Develop data collection methods and improve program evaluations across all DNDA’s Art, Nature, and Neighborhood programs

Position Length: 12 months

Benefits & Compensation:

• Bi-weekly stipend of $1117.06 (pre-tax)
• Monthly Housing Stipend of $300
• $7395 Education Award or $1,800 End of Service Stipend upon successful completion
• Loan deferment and payment of interest accrued during service year on qualified student loans (loans must be federally-backed; personal/private loans not eligible)
• Noncompetitive eligibility for federal jobs for up to one year after completing service
• Health benefits that meet the minimum standards of ACA compliance
• Childcare assistance
• 10 days sick leave, 10 days personal leave plus 10 federal holidays
• Enrollment in an assistance program with 24-hour access to phone counseling
• Access to emergency assistance program to mitigate unforeseen financial emergencies that put your continued participation in AmeriCorps service at risk
• Monthly team meetings, high-quality training, professional development, and networking opportunities
• Lifelong friends and colleagues who are passionate about service!

Professional Development Benefits:

• Robust professional development to support your personal, professional, and service goals and growth
• Skills to be gained include but not limited to: Interpersonal and Intercultural communication, community outreach, adaptability, relationship building, conflict management, customer service, resource navigation, data entry, knowledge of WA public benefits, knowledge of inner workings of non-profits and community college systems
• Career development trainings provided by UWKC AmeriCorps team
• Previous trainings include: How to Network, Resume Workshops, Mock Interviews, How to make your LinkedIn Profile Shine
• Networking opportunities within United Way and Community Partners

As a member of this cohort, you will be supported with a robust orientation, ongoing professional development opportunities, training, check-ins, and the tools and resources you need to succeed.

What We’re Looking For:

• Hunger and poverty disproportionately affect people who identify with multiple intersections of marginality—including people that identify as Black, Native, POC, queer, trans, disabled, first generation, etc. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage those that identify with these communities to apply
• Understanding of systemic racism and commitment to anti-racist work to ensure outputs are relevant and accessible to community members
• Flexibility and quick problem-solving skills to balance the variety of service activities and any potential shift in program priorities
• Experience working on multiple projects at once and ability to self-manage
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff members, partners, and AmeriCorps members
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with team, partners, and community members.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including public speaking skills

AmeriCorps Program Eligibility:

• Must be over 18 years old on the first day of service
• Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Unfortunately, F1 visas are not sufficient.
• Must be available 40 hours per week. Exact hours may vary by site placement, but will primarily be Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Must undergo a Washington State Patrol background check, FBI background check and National Sex Offender Registry Check, plus state of residence background check if not currently living in Washington
• High school diploma/GED

Please note that United Way of King County is operating in a hybrid model. As such, be prepared to participate in interviews remotely and to complete service responsibilities in a hybrid environment (in-person and remote) should we move forward with your candidacy. If technology presents a barrier to applying, interviewing, or accepting the position, please reach out to unitedwayamericorps@uwkc.org for accommodations.

Additionally, all AmeriCorps members must be able to transition from working hybrid to commuting to their site to serve 40 hrs. per week at any time during their service year. Service schedules will be based on your service site’s needs.