AmeriCorps VISTA

Shelter House - Iowa City • Iowa City, IA

29m

About The Position

Shelter House is seeking dedicated AmeriCorps VISTA members to join their team and make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. VISTA members play crucial roles in increasing the capacity and breadth of services offered, focusing on emergency, stabilization, and long-term interventions in housing, employment, and mental health recovery. This is an opportunity for personal growth and awareness building, with encouragement to participate in trainings, webinars, outreach, and educational courses. Shelter House offers various VISTA positions, including Data & Compliance Specialist, Health Services Coordinator, Housing Stability Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator. Full Volunteer Assignment Descriptions (VADs) are available upon request. Applications are reviewed immediately after submission with a quick response time.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Windows-based computer environment and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, prioritize multiple tasks, and be flexible in job duties and schedule.
• Be 18 years of age or older (no upper age limit).
• Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US Citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., Green Card Status), and persons legally residing within a state (e.g., refugee, asylee, temporary protected status, DACA status).

Responsibilities

• Build long-term organizational capacity by strengthening systems for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Improve the infrastructure that supports effective service delivery and accountability.
• Support community-wide capacity-building efforts to establish a Community Information Exchange (CIE).
• Assist with coalition coordination, including meeting logistics, agenda development, and maintenance of partner contact lists.
• Support sustainable coalition structure and processes.
• Assist the Director of Data Analytics and Compliance with program monitoring and grant compliance activities.
• Develop tools and processes that increase organizational efficiency, data quality, and long-term sustainability.
• Develop relationships with existing community partnerships and sustain connections with professional partners who provide primary behavioral health and health services.
• Research other Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and emergency shelter health programs across the nation to build a network of agencies who can mentor our agency.
• Develop an organized system for patient access and record-keeping of health services provided.
• Organize VISTA events and attend various weekly/monthly meetings with staff, community members, and clients.
• Design and implement a new program for Shelter House that will provide furniture and essential household items to individuals and families that have recently moved into permanent housing after experiencing homelessness.
• Design, implement, and provide oversight for the furniture distribution program in collaboration with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity.
• Develop ongoing, research-based processes to collect data and report on outcomes from programs within Shelter House.
• Support the recruitment, development, and management of the Shelter House Volunteer Program.
• Recruit, orient, and train new volunteers.
• Refine the documentation and reporting process for the Drop-In Center.
• Assist with major fundraising events throughout the year.
• Recruit, train, and retain dedicated volunteers to help secure, organize, and distribute essential resources.
• Support employment resource labs for community members who have limited access to technology.
• Assist participants with completing job applications, accessing important employment and housing documents, and applying for benefits.
• Coordinate volunteers for Shelter House fundraising events.

Benefits

• Modest bi-weekly living allowance to cover basic expenses
• Choice between a $6,000 Education Award or a $1,800 lump-sum cash stipend at the end of service
• Attend professional development opportunities and trainings
• Quality for Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE), a hiring path for federal agencies

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed