2019 AmeriCorps VISTA: Education Assistant

April 8, 2019

Missouri River Relief has filled the position of AmeriCorps VISTA: Education Assistant for the 2019-20 year. Please check back next year during the summer of 2020.

UPDATE: Due to changes in the federal AmeriCorps VISTA timeline, we have changed our application deadline and position start date. We apologize for the inconvenience. Note new dates below.

Status: One Year Term/AmeriCorps VISTA/Full-Time
Start Date: November 13, 2019 (If candidate is available earlier, it will be possible to for an early start of October 15)
End Date: November 13, 2020
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Application Deadline: September 20, 2019

This is the Chance to Make Your Impact on the Next Generation of River Stewards!

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Education Assistant at Missouri River Relief will assist in the organization, implementation and marketing of education programs targeting title one schools and community organizations that work with low-income individuals.

The position's goal is to provide instruction that builds participants’ knowledge and understanding of the Missouri River through hands-on experiences that will deepen the participant’s connection and sense of responsibility to its care and stewardship.

Click here to download the complete job description.

Possible Early Start Date – November 13 will the official start date for the AmeriCorps VISTA position. For applicants that are available earlier, Missouri River Relief would be interested in hiring this position starting October 15 in order to involve this position in some of our fantastic fall programs. Please let us know if this is a possibility as you submit your application.

How to Apply

Step One: Send a cover letter, a resume and two references to the Education Director, kristen@riverrelief.org by September 20, 2019. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Step Two: Based on resume & cover letter, you may be asked to complete the AmeriCorps Vista application.

Benefits of Service

Living Allowance

Receive a modest bi-weekly (full 14 days of service) living allowance ($479.08) to cover basic expenses.
The amount listed may differ from what members see in their paychecks because a) the rates listed here are gross/pre-tax amounts; and b) actual pay may vary to reflect the number of days served in a pay period.

End Of Service Award

Choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $6,000) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend.
During service, you may defer student loans until end of service year. Interest accrued during service will be payed by the National Service Trust upon completion of service.

Professional Development Training

Attend in person and virtual trainings where you learn how to be a community development change agent

Join A Community

Join a VISTA umbrella and meet other like-minded individuals living and working in your community.

Leave

You are entitled to personal leave, medical leave, and leave for certain holidays (those recognized by your sponsor.) Family leave and emergency leave are also available in certain situations. Military service and jury duty can also necessitate a leave of absence, both of which are covered.

Non-Competitive Eligibility (Nce)

Americorps VISTA is the only americorps program where you can earn federal non-competitive eligibility, giving you an edge in the federal hiring process. NCE status last for 12 months following service.

Other Benefits

Other benefits may include: a relocation allowance for moving for service, childcare assistance, mileage reimbursement for service-related travel and health care options.

Click here to take a more in-depth view at the Benfits of Service

Words of Wisdom to The Next Education Assistant

Each year we ask our Education Assistant to reflect on their experience and share a few words of wisdom to the next education assistant. If you are wanting a feel for the position and an idea of what you might walk away with from the experience, our former education assistant blogs offer all of that. Please note that in the past this position has been 3 month summer position, whereas the AmeriCorps VISTA position is one full year of service.

Summer 2018: Claire Hassler
Summer 2017: Leif Nordstrom

Job Description

AmeriCorps VISTA: Education Assistant Position Purpose:

Missouri River Relief is a non-profit dedicated to connecting people to the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska to St. Louis, Missouri. We do this through three avenues: Missouri River clean-ups, education programs, and outreach events. This position will work directly with the Missouri River Education Programs, engaging the participant’s innate sense of wonder and natural curiosity to explore the Missouri River through a place-based program that is interdisciplinary in nature and experiential in character.

This position will assist in the organization, implementation, and marketing of education programs targeting title one schools and community organizations that work with low-income individuals. The position's goal is to provide instruction that builds participants’ knowledge and understanding of the Missouri River through hands-on experiences that will deepen the participant’s connection and sense of responsibility to its care and stewardship.

AmeriCorps VISTA: Education Assistant Eligibility Requirements:

Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
Pass a national service criminal history check
Hold a valid driver’s license and proof of mandated state automobile insurance
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.

AmeriCorps VISTA: Education Assistant Position Responsibilities:

45% Education Program Instruction & Delivery: provide culturally relevant lessons.

Differentiate and tailor programs that honor the backgrounds and needs of each group, incorporating partner’s requests within our education philosophy, logistics, and interests.
Use a student-centered approach and facilitate discussion with diverse participant groups.
Actively participate in efforts to assess and evaluate learning and program outcomes.
Cultivate an inclusive learning experience using sensitivity to bring cultural relevance to program content and community relationships.
Work directly with teachers to manage students and expectations.
Enhance the program or activities via student and teacher feedback.
Participate in post-program reflections with the Education Director.
Make recommendations regarding the education program.
Develop resources and tools for training education volunteers in program instruction.
Manage participant’s physical, social, and emotional safety in different settings.
Consults with experts on the accuracy of information provided at education programs.

25% Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Relevance: build the core values of diversity into programs.

Develop diversity and inclusion practices and policies that are implemented in our education programs and workplace.
Revise and update all communication on our website, social media pages, job description, and internal documents to ensure we using an inclusive language.
Navigate the legal obstacles of implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Measure programs and policies to ensure accountability.

25% Education Program Partnerships: create relationships with non-profits that support low- income families.

Develop and maintain partnerships that support our education programs.
Attend meetings and events with partners to build new and old relationships.
Carry out partner evaluation surveys and reviews.
Pass partnership leads to other team member and follows up on progress.

5% “One MRR” Responsibilities: engage and collaborate across program areas when possible.

Contribute to an inclusive work community by using sensitivity to bring cultural relevance to the workplace and relationships with co-workers.
Cultivate a culture of risk management throughout all programs.
Proactively share the mission and program structure with external stakeholders.

Knowledge & Skills:

The Education Assistant must possess knowledge and skills which may result from formal education or experience in program instruction. To perform effectively in this position, the individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

Intentional Culture: Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural relevance within your teaching and community.
Variety of Instructional Strategies: Demonstrate the ability to use questions that encourage student exploration and discourse. Understands the role discussion plays in the learning process. Prompts students to reflect on activities to help them challenge their former ideas and evolve new ideas.
Understanding of Subject Matter: Demonstrate the ability to provide content that is developmentally appropriate for students. Knowledgeable about particular subject area or topic such as art instruction or nature journaling.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

The AmeriCorps VISTA must have the ability to:

Travel across the lower section of the Missouri River Valley; this could include a variety of cities such as Columbia, MO, Kansas City, MO, New Haven, MO and St. Louis, MO.
Stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach for extended periods.
Lift and carry up to 20 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move supplies).
Work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as rain and other inclement weather conditions as needed).

This job description is not meant to state or imply that these are the only duties performed by the AmeriCorps VISTA occupying this position. AmeriCorps VISTA will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with federal and state laws.

AmeriCorps VISTA is a Federal assistance provider. The mission of AmeriCorps VISTA is to strengthen organizations that alleviate poverty through volunteering and the mobilization of resources.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at Missouri River Relief. Missouri River Relief does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Kristen Schulte at 573.443.0292 or kristen@riverrelief.org

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