All applicants interested in a VISTA position will need to click “Apply Now” on the AmeriCorps website, register, and forward your resume to resumes@coalitionrcd.org. Please make sure to include the position & how you heard of this position in the subject of your email.  

AmeriCorps VISTA

Member Service Opportunity
Community Engagement Specialist

Coalition For Responsible Community Development is seeking a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA member to complete 1-year of national service as a Community Engagement Specialist toward a multi-year regional anti- poverty initiative in South Los Angeles. The candidate will ideally begin service on March 13, 2023 and complete 1 year of national service as a VISTA. The individual selected to serve is not considered to be an employee of Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD). To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA please visit AmeriCorps VISTA | AmeriCorps

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
The Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) is a community development non-profit with a mission to better sustain, coordinate, and improve local planning, development, and community services that address the needs of low-income and working-class residents and small business in South Los Angeles.

Organizational History.
CRCD serves 100% low-to-moderate income individuals and families within South Los Angeles and specializes in serving the communities most vulnerable populations such as homeless and justice involved individuals and youth in the child welfare system. CRCD was founded in 2005 by neighborhood residents and community leaders in a collaborative effort to revitalize the area after decades of disinvestment and to improve the quality of life for youth and the community. Since 2005, CRCD has partnered in a combined investment of $168 million in South LA housing and real estate, including 370 units of affordable housing, plus community space for support services, youth programs, a homeless youth drop-in center, a community garden, and commercial space for our social enterprise. CRCD has connected over 1,500 young people to education, jobs, and housing.

CRCD employs a holistic community economic development model across the following key service areas:

• Real Estate & Economic Development. To increase the number of affordable and permanent housing in South Los Angeles and to revitalize the local economy, CRCD develops housing for LMI populations, including transition-age youth ages 16-24, seniors, veterans, and low-income families.
• Support Services. We provide support services to 100% low-to-moderate income youth and other residents of CRCD housing, assist homeless youth to secure housing with rental subsidies and support services, and run a drop-in center to help homeless transition-age youth meet basic needs.
• Education. CRCD Academy, a high school provides youth ages 16-24 with diploma-track education and postsecondary education support.
• Youth Development. CRCD provides youth with workforce development programs, intensive case management to reduce barriers to employment and reduce recidivism, alternative sentencing programs, and jobs and career placement.
• Worksource Center. Since 2014 CRCD has been the operator of the federally funded Vernon-Central/ Los Angeles Trade-Technical College WorkSource Center where unemployed LMI residents are linked to career-ladder jobs and supportive services.
• CRCD Enterprises. CRCD is the parent organization of a social enterprise providing training and employment for low-income youth and young adults.

CRCD is in the planning phase to design and implement a multi-year anti-poverty initiative to address longstanding racial and socioeconomic inequities in South Los Angeles – with a focus on underserved areas east of the 110-freeway. This collaborative initiative will strengthen the community’s economic recovery from
COVID-19 while positioning residents and businesses to benefit economically from ongoing local development, infrastructure improvements and major sporting events coming to Los Angeles including the 2028 Summer Olympics, 2022 NFL Super Bowl, and potentially the 2026 FIFA World Cup (if Los Angeles is finalized as a host city late 2021).

AMERICORPS VISTA MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Community Engagement Specialist will play a key role in increasing CRCD’s capacity to create and implement meaningful community engagement activities to advance our work in the South Los Angeles region. The Community Engagement Specialist will plan and facilitate community engagement and capacity building strategies throughout the South LA region, including around CRCD’s affordable and permanent supportive housing developments. The Community Engagement Specialist will be supported and supervised by CRCD’s Community Engagement Coordinator.

Position roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Support the implementation of a regional community plan in partnership with all relevant stakeholders.

2. Attend relevant city, county, and government agencies, community, and neighborhood group meetings to engage community at multiple levels and build consensus for capacity building strategy.

3. Collaborate with research team to support the implementation of a comprehensive, community level resource and asset mapping analysis for the South Los Angeles region.

4. Collaborate with research team to support the design and implementation of a comprehensive, community resource database.

5. Support the development of public education and information materials, presentations and displays in partnership with Marketing & Communications Team for public education purposes.

6. Support with response to public and community inquiries as needed.

   7. Support the coordination and planning of strategic learning events to promote and advance regional initiative.

   8. Attend any required and/or relevant meetings (both internal and external). Required to attend department and organization meetings and complete assigned training.

BENEFITS

• Professional development & training
• Supportive and growth-oriented team environment
• AmeriCorps VISTA Living Allowance for LA County ($1027.88 bi-monthly)
• Healthcare
• Childcare
• End of Service cash award ($1,800) or Education award ($6,345)
• Noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment
• Loan Forbearance and Deferment
• Relocation Costs
• Travel Reimbursement
• Holiday and leave time

DESIRED SKILLS

• Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods.
• Comfortability working in South LA, engaging with a diverse range of community members, organizations, public officials and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• 1-2 years relevant experience
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and familiarity of South Los Angeles
• Reliable, flexible team player who works well with minimal supervision, who has a good work ethic, and an ability to set and maintain personal boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and to meet deadlines
• Reliable transportation; valid driver’s license, and car insurance as required by law, as appropriate
• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Etc.)

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Be 18 years 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. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
• Clear a National Service Criminal History background check

HOW TO APPLY:

• Create a profile at My AmeriCorps – Login
• Apply to “Community Engagement Specialist” position here: My AmeriCorps – Home Page

Job Type: Internship

Salary: $2,055.76 per month

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Los Angeles, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location