School Partnerships AmeriCorps VISTA for DC Public Schools

Come to the nation’s capital and George Washington University to help the District of Columbia Public Schools evaluate and measure the impact of school partnerships with local community organizations and government agencies.

Position Description:

With a strong record of developing reciprocal, respectful, active, and democratic partnerships, George Washington University (GWU) in downtown Washington DC is seeking a VISTA to serve as a School Partnerships VISTA in the Office of Family and Public Engagement (OFPE) in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). The VISTA will increase the capacity of the DCPS School Partnerships Division through new research, identification of best practices, and the creation of new tools. The VISTA will work for one year with GWU and DCPS staff and community members and will be able to build education-related knowledge and experience, as well as partnership development, project management, and communication skills. We are seeking candidates who excel in relationship-building, are results-oriented, and have strong data management and project management skills. This is a full-time (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 Community Liaison VISTA will need to perform successfully:

• Ability to Commit to a full-time 12-month term of AmeriCorps VISTA service
• Experience with database design and management
• Knowledge and experience with data collection and data collection tools
• Ability to help others use database and data collection tools
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and achieve goals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to develop and execute detailed project plans

Primary responsibilities: 

The successful School Partnerships VISTA candidate will have to perform:

• Revise the DCPS Partnerships Database (QuickBase platform) and develop a new process to ensure consistent reporting of school and partner information across the DCPS system, specifically to the greater DCPS community.
• Develop materials and tools to train stakeholders on the DCPS Partnerships Database and how to use its various functions
• Support the redesign of the DCPS processes to review and facilitate partner and donation opportunities
• Compile best practices across programs in order to develop manuals/tool kits on processes for partner, donor and volunteer management
• Expand DCPS communication regarding opportunities and resources for collaboration, and support to school and partner organization staff.

Project goals and outcomes: 

It is projected that the following impacts will accrue from the program:

• Better understanding of existing school-community partnerships 
• Strengthened existing school-community partnerships 
• More school administrator, teacher and parent 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
• Improved capacity to gather data, assess program quality and report information about DCPS community partners

Special skills and knowledge: 

The candidate should possess to meet the responsibilities, goals, and outcomes of this position:

• Database creation and management skills
• Knowledge of QuickBase Platform (preferred)
• Relationship Building
• Knowledge of K-12 Partnerships 

Terms of Service:

VISTA must be 18 years old; be U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal residents; and successfully complete criminal background checks. VISTA is a full-time, 12-month commitment. They are expected 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.