Program Development VISTA - College Access Plan, Pasadena, CA

Position: Program Development VISTA 
(this is a full-time Americorps VISTA position)

Location: Pasadena, CA Length of Service: one year Start Date: April 20, 2013

Service Description:

This is a program support position (not a direct program delivery position) linked to a three-year capacity building program to increase CAP's reach to students in Pasadena's schools. Learn more about CAP's various programs here.

CAP's primary project goals for this three-year Educational Program focused on college access and readiness are to 1) expand successful college readiness programs to four public high schools and to gain new community organization partners; 2) build a sustainable, goal-oriented, and community-based volunteer program and develop human and monetary capital from local sources; and 3) increase the four-year college going rate by 10% and the overall college-going rate by 5% in our community in order to reduce poverty.

Summary of Position

The Program Development VISTA will develop the program materials, data management system, curriculum, online, and social networking components to ensure the programs are sustainable and cost-efficient. Working with partnering public high schools and nonprofit organizations, CAP's VISTA project builds on current curricula to design and implement in-class and after school drop-in one-to-one college readiness programs and workshops for 400 additional students per year at the end of a three year period while maintaining current service to 200 students per year (reaching a total of 600 students).

Responsibilities of Program Development VISTA:

• Update and maintain program resource guide that provides specific, outcomes-oriented college-readiness tools to be used at all CAP sites;
• Develop interactive online tools for student use on CAP's website and Facebook page;
• Communication and relationship building with new program partners, college representatives, and community stakeholders;
• Finalize development of four grade-specific, 10-part college-readiness courses;
• Collaborate with teachers and counselors to provide grade-level appropriate information about career and college options;
• Provide records or written reports as required for grant compliance, and maintain proper records;
• Leverage community resources to solicit in-kind contributions of goods and services;
• Seek funding opportunities for programs as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required (minimum)
• Experience working with teens, ages 14-18
• Knowledge of secondary education requirements
• Knowledge of postsecondary education options, application procedures and admission requirements
• Strong and demonstrated writing abilities
• Data management and evaluation knowledge
• Ability to complete specific outcomes on a timeline
• Working knowledge of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter
• Experience with basic operating systems and office software (Word/Pages, Excel/Numbers, PowerPoint/Keynote, etc.)
• Well-developed organizational skills with a solid orientation to detail
• Creative, self-motivated, and outcomes-oriented
• Excellent research skills
• Must have own transportation
• Must complete background check through the Corporation for National and Community Service and a pre-service training
• Must complete Pasadena Unified School District background check, including Department of Justice clearance and TB test

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Spanish reading and speaking
• Experience with curriculum design and knowledge of college readiness best practices and processes
• Experience with database and/or design software (SalesForce, Photoshop, etc.)
• Experience working in disadvantaged population

Training Provided:

On-the-job and pre-service training will be provided.

Salary, Benefits, and Americorps VISTA Details:

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.

Each VISTA member makes a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. In return for their service, each VISTA receives a $15,996 year/$615 biweekly living allowance (rate specific to Los Angeles area), healthcare benefits, $550 Relocation stipend (if eligible), childcare assistance (if eligible), and a $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or $1,500 cash post-service stipend following successful completion of service, and more.