Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services has openings for two dynamic, highly motivated, social justice-minded individuals to enhance and promote projects that improve the lives of low-income families in Linn and Benton Counties in Oregon. The two VISTA positions will focus on building capacity for our Asset Building programs - Homeownership, Financial Literacy and MicroBusiness. The positions each offer the opportunity to gain a broad range of professional skills including marketing skills, research and grant writing experience, and a chance to effect positive change in the financial lives of low-income families
The duties and responsibilities of the VISTA could include, but are not limited to:
? Learn about Homeownership, Financial Literacy, and Microenterprise Development as asset-building strategies.
? Expand and further develop outreach and marketing strategies for the asset-building programs in Linn and Benton counties.
? Help create an online presence for WNHS. Marketing strategies will focus on social networking, blogs, video orientations for rural customers. Work on a team including agency web consultants to help develop a user friendly website.
? Refine and improve on-going evaluation of asset-building programs to ensure that clients’ needs are met in the best way possible.
? Assist in program development activities for foreclosure counseling services.
? Assist in the expansion and development of the ExperienceXchange Mentoring Program for microentrepreneurs
? Assist in researching grant and other funding sources of Asset Building Programs; assist in writing grants.
AmeriCorps/VISTA Member skills and qualifications
Qualified applicants will have a Bachelor’s degree or three years experience working in a community-based non-profit, excellent presentation and communication skills, ability to work independently and manage projects, and a passion for improving the lives of low-income families. VISTA volunteers must be US citizens.
Benefits provided by AmeriCorps/VISTA
This position requires a commitment to serve as a full-time Volunteer for one full year. AmeriCorps/VISTA Members receive a subsistence allowance, a post-service cash stipend or education award, and health care benefits. Child care and relocation benefits may be available depending upon the Member’s circumstances. For more information on Member benefits visit the AmeriCorps/VISTA website at
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/programs/americorps_vista.asp.
Resources provided by sponsor agency
In addition to VISTA training before service, the VISTAS will have ongoing training provided by WNHS. VISTAS will also have an all expense paid five-day training in community development at a NeighborWorks America Training Institute; a fully equipped office; travel and other miscellaneous expenses paid; the opportunity to work as a team member with staff experienced in asset building, homeownership, affordable housing finance, and community organizing.
About Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services
Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services (WNHS) is a non-profit community development corporation located in Corvallis, Oregon. Our mission is to improve lives and strengthen neighborhoods through quality affordable housing, homeownership, economic opportunity, and community partnerships. WNHS develops and maintains affordable housing in a two-county area, and has asset building programs for low-income residents in our community. For example, we offer basic financial literacy courses, first-time homebuyer education, housing counseling, and a MicroBusiness program to help low-income entrepreneurs start small businesses. For more information visit www.w-nhs.org
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon is a small city of 50,000 located in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Corvallis is the home of Oregon State University and numerous high-tech companies, including Hewlett Packard. We’re ideally located within easy reach of the Oregon Coast, the Cascade Mountains, the high desert of Eastern Oregon, the cities of Portland and Eugene, and many world-class recreational opportunities.
WNHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. Applications for employment/volunteering will be considered without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
