Alex Morgan, VISTA Leader
VISTA Leader
About
The Plantory AmeriCorps VISTA Leader position is unlike any other member position within our Cohort. While members are typically assigned to a specific community organization external to the Plantory AmeriCorps office with a specific set of performance measures related to that site, the VISTA Leader position is housed within the Plantory AmeriCorps office and serves alongside the Plantory AmeriCorps staff to provide support, mentorship, and coordination to a group of the Plantory AmeriCorps VISTA members while also having opportunities to be involved in building and sustaining national service in Lexington, Kentucky. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual with interests in non-profit and government leadership.
The VISTA Leader provides direct support for both VISTA members and the Plantory VISTA program overall and is the first point of contact for VISTA member questions, including questions about reporting, VISTA benefits, all-corps events, and resources. They also may be required to mediate potential member conflicts, escalating them to appropriate leadership when necessary. The VISTA Leader is responsible for compiling member-submitted monthly reports to the Program Director and addressing any reporting issues as they arise with support of the Program Director when applicable. The VISTA Leader is primarily responsible for conducting bi-annual site visits with VISTA members as well as the recruitment of the following year’s VISTA corps. Throughout the year, the VISTA Leader will be included in all the Plantory AmeriCorps staff meetings and events, including the planning of all-corps events such as orientations, retreats, corps meetings, and service days, and will have the opportunity to help strategically develop the VISTA program by building the capacity of services offered.
VISTA Leader Core Activities
– VISTA Member Recruitment
– Site Visits & Member Support
– Event Coordination
– Performance Log Support and Data Collection
– VISTA Member Storytelling
Who Can Apply?
The Plantory AmeriCorps Office views the VISTA Leader role in the office as formal leadership role within the office and offers priority consideration for this role to members who have completed at least one term of service with either the Plantory AmeriCorps’ VISTA or Environmental program and have demonstrated exceptional promise for leadership within a national service context. Non-Plantory AmeriCorps alums may also qualify, but must also have completed at least 1 previous term of national service with VISTA, State/National, or NCCC, or have completed a term of Peace Corps service. All applicants must have excellent references from their previous national service experience(s).