The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is the host site for two Americorps VISTA positions through the IDA and Asset-Building Collaborative of North Carolina for its 2017-2018 Americorps VISTA program. The positions begin in August 2017 following Americorps Pre-Service Orientation and ends in August 2018.

About the Community Empowerment Fund
CEF supports people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness to gain employment, secure housing, and build financial stability. CEF trains and pairs volunteer “Advocates,” many of whom are undergraduate students, to work one-on-one with Members. We are valued by Members and partners alike for our ability to meet people where they are and walk alongside each individual to achieve personal goals, with a particular focus on financial empowerment. We are passionate about sustaining transitions out of homelessness, and combine flexible relationship-based support with innovative matched savings accounts to help Members achieve long-term dreams. Learn more at www.communityef.org

The Roles
 The Americorps VISTA positions at CEF will focus on building capacity in the areas of workforce development services, and integrating financial capability services into employment services.

One position will be based in CEF’s Chapel Hill office and one position will be based in CEF’s Durham office. Americorps VISTA members will be responsible for the following, with distinct duties divided between the two positions as well as joint project responsibilities:

• Strengthen relationships with area employers to promote hiring of program graduates, especially those who are justice-involved
• Improve the employment services provided by CEF’s advocates by creating new partnerships, improving advocate training, and building new resources
• Support integrated partnerships to provide CEF’s financial coaching and matched savings accounts in collaboration with workforce development providers
• Train volunteers and student leaders to effectively support CEF Members in securing employment and to effectively provide access to CEF’s matched savings accounts
• Build the capacity of a countywide coalition of workforce development service providers in Orange County
• Support pathways to higher education, vocational certification, and micro-enterprise development

• Work regularly with members as an Advocate, an expectation of all CEF staff members
• Engage actively in program design to improve CEF’s outcomes, impact and methodologies
• Support CEF’s growing collaborations with partner organizations
• Embody CEF values and guiding principles, participate meaningfully in meetings, work collaboratively with co-workers, and engage in the organization in ways that are informed by racial equity and social justice frameworks

Position Qualifications:

• Engaging and collaborative leadership style, with an ability to inspire and motivate volunteers
• Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail, with ability to follow-through on many simultaneous projects
• Experience and comfort working with people across abilities and neurological differences, and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, educational, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds
• Clear analysis of structural racism and socioeconomic inequity, and willingness to learn and grow
• Experience navigating inter-agency partnerships and collaborations
• Bilingual or bicultural skills desired
• Facility with technology, including willingness to learn new technologies
• BS/BA degree required by Americorps VISTA
• Shared commitment to CEF’s mission

CEF is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ* applicants.

To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@communityempowermentfund.org by the priority deadline of Sunday, April 30th. Your cover letter should speak directly to why you are interested in this position, why you are a great candidate for the position, and one goal you would have for your first year in this position. The Americorps online application will be available mid-May, but for purposes of recruitment and placement CEF is seeking applications prior. We will ask selected candidates to complete the online application for Americorps at a later date

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Details About the Americorps Positions through the NC IDA Collaborative AmeriCorps VISTA Program:
The IDA and Asset-Building Collaborative of North Carolina is a statewide organization. We focus on economic mobility for low-income people across our state and are located in Raleigh. The goal of this project is to build the capacity of our host sites to support low-income community members in increasing their income, through employment or microenterprise. Communities benefit over the long-term from residents who are more financially secure, are better able to engage in community life, and who contribute to and support the local economy. We seek individuals who work collaboratively and independently, take initiative and responsibility for their assigned tasks, have a positive attitude, demonstrate an interest in learning, and are committed to anti-poverty efforts.

Selection is competitive and runs through June, but applications are reviewed and candidates selected on a rolling basis. Submit your application early for the best chance at a slot. Accepted candidates receive training, a modest living stipend, health benefits, and upon completion of a full year of service will also receive a $5815 education award or $1500 stipend through AmeriCorps. *CEF provides a modest supplementary housing stipend in addition to the monthly living stipend.

Thank you for your interest! Please contact hiring@communityempowermentfund.org with any questions.