School-Community Liaison AmeriCorps VISTA for DC Public Schools

Come to the nation’s capital and George Washington University to help urban K-12 schools expand and improve their community and volunteer partnerships and after-school and summer programs.

Position Description:

George Washington University (GW), in downtown Washington DC, is seeking VISTAs to serve as School-Community Liaisons in elementary and middle schools. With a strong record of developing reciprocal, respectful, active, and democratic partnerships, GW is working with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) to place VISTAs in urban schools in the District. The VISTAs will assess needs and opportunities to expand out-of-school-time program quality and resources at their schools. As a VISTA, you will support the Title I schools to improve after-school and summer programming and build new partnerships and volunteer programs to enrich the lives of children. You will work for one year with GW and DCPS school staff and community members to build your education, experience, community development, organizing, and communication skills. This is a full-time (at least 40hrs a week) 12-month service term with the GW/DCPS AmeriCorps VISTA Program. The project term is based on the start date.

Benefits for Members 

Benefits include a monthly living allowance of $1,583 (before taxes), an education award ($5,920) or stipend ($1,800) at the completion of your term, health coverage, child care assistance, relocation reimbursement, deferral or forbearance of school loan repayments, personal and medical leave, potential eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, travel payment to attend the Pre-Service Orientation, and reimbursement for some other work-related travel expenses. You will also receive regular support, training, the chance to collaborate with other VISTAs in the program, and the unique benefits and opportunities of living and working in Washington, D.C. Ideal position for those looking for a gap-year opportunity.

Key attributes a successful School/Community Liaison VISTA will need to perform successfully:

• Desire and ability to work effectively in an urban school environment with teachers, school administrators, parents, and students
• Ability to reach out to and form relationships with community organizations
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and achieve goals
• Some experience in project planning and volunteer recruitment
• Adaptability, flexibility, and willingness to learn from experience
• Strong communication skills

Primary responsibilities that the successful VISTA School/Community Liaison will have to perform:

• Recruit, promote and develop successful school-community partnerships and volunteer programs at assigned school
• Assess and work to enhance existing partnerships at assigned school
• Contact, communicate with, and interact with community organizations to build new school-community and volunteer partnerships
• Work with DCPS to support after-school and summer afternoon programming
• Assess, report on, and disseminate information about program implementation
• Seek out grants and foundation funding to directly support community and volunteer partners for after-school and summer activities

Project goals and outcomes: It is projected that the following impacts will accrue from the program at the participating schools:

• Better understanding of existing school-community partnerships 
• Strengthened existing school-community partnerships 
• More school-community partnerships, volunteers, volunteer projects, volunteer hours
• More school administrator and teacher satisfaction with partnerships and partner/local organization satisfaction with participating schools
• More financial, human, and in-kind resources as well as strengthened infrastructure to meet student needs
• Increase opportunities for parent/family engagement

Special skills and knowledge the candidate should possess and/or be able to acquire to meet the responsibilities, goals, and outcomes of this position:

• Ability to work in an urban school environment
• Ability to initiate and build partnerships between the school and community organizations
• Community organizing skills
• Database skills

Terms of Service 

VISTAs must be 18 years old; be U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal residents; and successfully complete a criminal background check. VISTA is a full-time, 12-month commitment. VISTAs are considered to be on call at all times but typically work a 40-hour week. Political advocacy, organizing or demonstrations while on VISTA duty, or while perceived to be on duty, are prohibited.