Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country: AmerCorps VISTA Position Opening

Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country, in partnership with Epicenter, is now accepting applications for a year-long AmeriCorps VISTA position. The term begins late January 2015 with pre-service orientation (PSO) in Los Angeles, CA. The VISTA member will be located in Green River, UT, working from Epicenter, a partner organization to HFHCC. VISTA members will receive a living stipend of approximately $925/month, a health insurance benefit, a relocation allowance of up to $550, travel accommodations to PSO and Green River, and the choice of an education award at successful completion of service of $5,645 or a cash award of $1,500.

The deadline for applications through the AmeriCorps portal is December 1st at 1 PM MST. To find out more and apply, go here. To express your interest and receive answers to questions, please contact Jack Forinash.

About the Organization
Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country was established in 1989 as the only HFH affiliate in SE Utah, an area of the country that is both very remote and breathtakingly beautiful, home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the San Rafael Swell, and endless back-country roads and trails. HFHCC recently completed one new construction home (Dec 2012), one rehab home (Dec 2013), and established an A Brush With Kindness (ABWK) home repair program, which has served thirteen partner family homeowners since it began in November 2013. This new program seeks to serve a larger number of partner families to meet homeowners at their needs and to gain exposure for Habitat for Humanity as a affordable housing provider. HFHCC seeks to train its board to prepare for growth, attract qualified staff to move from a part-time and mostly volunteer organization to a fully-operating major housing provider for the communities we serve. Recently awarded grants have built the ABWK program from scratch, and partner family homeowners are paying on time, but the room for growth in this underserved area is immense, and our organization is ready to take the next step, but need a lot of capacity building efforts to assure as funding is secured and staff are hired we are adequately prepared. The Utah network of HFH affiliates is strong and willing to help. More information can be found here.

About the Position
VISTA member will build the capacity of the HFH affiliate, growing emerging programs to well-established operations that meet the needs of the residents of Carbon and Emery Counties. Assignment description will include research and writing of policies, procedures, and best practices; fund-raising through grant writing and community events; partnership building; awareness campaigns; recruitment of volunteers and applicants for staff positions; facilitating board training; and other efforts to build organizational capacity.

Ideal Applicants
Applicants must have a college degree and an interest in community development and affordable housing. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and e-mail is required. Proficiency in verbal and written communication is required. Spanish language fluency is a plus, but not required. Experience with non-profit capacity building and working with a non-profit board of directors is a plus. Grant writing and fund-raising experience is a plus.

Critical Points
– Applications are due through the AmeriCorps portal by 1 PM MST on September 22.
– Position begins November 18, 2014, and completes in November 2015, with the potential opportunity to extend.
– Pre-service Orientation (PSO) will be held in Los Angeles, CA, November 18-21.
– Compensation and benefits: Living stipend (approximately $925/month), health insurance benefit, cash award ($1,500) or education award ($5,645) at successful completion of service, relocation allowance* may be available, pre-service orientation and training.

Click here to view the listing online and apply.