Americorps VISTA positions open

Benefits include a $5,350 award for use in education

There are three Americorps VISTA positions open for Building Healthy Communities in Del Norte County and adjacent tribal lands.

VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) positions available include:

• Yurok food systems with the Yurok Tribe: This person will coordinate efforts to support food system planning and improvement through coalition building, strategic planning, funding research, writing and issue campaigns.

• Healthy Neighborhoods and Schools: This person will work on capacity-building projects in the outlying town of Gasquet prioritized by residents.  The Gasquet project will include identifying a base of volunteers who will continue the efforts.  

• Children’s Health Collaborative and Community Food Council coordinator: The coordinator will provide logistical support to both groups; promote healthy and local foods; work to develop resources and funding for the work; assist in creating long-term strategic plans; and work in smaller communities to identify priority projects for its children and families.

The deadline to apply is Friday. Contact Jennifer England with the First 5 Del Norte, Children and Families Commission at the Family Resource Center, 494 Pacific Ave., 464-5500, ext.100.

Interviews for the positions will be Feb. 10-15. Pre-service training will be April 16-19 and the first day of service will be April 20.

Benefits for VISTA positions include an education award of $5,350, a monthly living allowance of $891 and local housing and food stipend of $800 per month, a paid health plan and child care if income-eligible.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and should have excellent communication skills (both oral and written, enjoy creative problem solving and analysis, have a commitment to community service and education, have good organizational and public speaking skills, be computer-literate (Microsoft Word and Excel required), highly motivated and can work in a team environment and have reliable transportation.

To learn more, go to http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp.