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JOB: Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator (VISTA)

National Radio Project, the producer of Making Contact, seeks a Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator who will play a vital role in building volunteer capacity and community networks within our organization.

Making Contact is a 29-minute syndicated radio program that is broadcast nationally in over 39 states. Our mission is to amplify voices that are not normally heard in mainstream media and to provide the information and inspiration that people need to take action.

This position is made available through the Digital Arts Service Corps, a national Americorps*VISTA program that deploys national service volunteers in efforts to strengthen communities and serve their country through public media and technology.

This Digital Arts Service Corps member position begins August 2, 2010 and serves for one year, full-time, 40 hours a week, at our Oakland, CA office.

Roles and Responsibilities

Making Contact is seeking a motivated self-starter who will help us deepen our networks among volunteers, donors, online listeners, and grassroots groups. The responsibilities of the Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator include:

  • Recruit, train, coordinate, and retain a group of volunteers (audio harvesters, online social marketers, and production assistants)
  • Design and implement improved and transparent systems for assigning volunteers to projects, and empowering the volunteers’ own initiative and self-management.
  • Communicate with grassroots organizations to build a Circle of Advisors on Economic Justice topics for our How We Survive series.
  • Support the organizing of Listening Party/House Party events in the Bay Area and across the country
  • Organize public briefings and recording sessions to educate our organization and the larger community on various social justice issues.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the use of media to advance social justice

• Experience organizing events or house parties
• Experience working with volunteers and in teams
• Enthusiasm and ability to motivate and inspire others
• Past leadership within a student-based or community-based organization
• Interest in building online social marketing skills
• Resourceful, willing to take on challenges and juggle multiple tasks
• Familiar with Microsoft Excel and general familiarity with databases.

Benefits:

  • Approx. $13,448 per year living stipend, plus $50/month transportation stipend
  • Post-service educational award of $5,350 (to be used for college tuition or loan repayment) or a $1,500 cash stipend, if educational award is not used.
  • Emergency Health insurance, and Prescription Drug coverage, and childcare allowance
  • Student Loan Deferment/Forbearance
  • Relocation assistance (if Corps member lives further than 50 miles from Oakland, CA)
  • Valuable work experience in a non-profit media organization and participation in the national Digital Arts Service Corps.

Eligibility/Restrictions

AmeriCorps*VISTA candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident. You must be at least 17 years old. There is no upper age limit, and many AmeriCorps*VISTA members bring significant work and life experiences to their assignment. Self-initiative, flexibility and organizational skills are a must.You must be available to serve full-time, 40 hours a week for one year and are prohibited from any outside employment. While some professional development classes are encouraged, students cannot be full-time students.

National Radio Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual preference, disability, national origin, religion, or economic status.

Application Process

Please email your resume and a cover letter detailing the reasons why you are an excellent fit for this position, including 2-3 references who can speak to your abilities. Please email your cover letter and resume to: lrudman@radioproject.org

The application deadline is May 5, 2010. Please submit your application as soon as possible, as VISTA needs us to select a candidate by May 28, 2010.

Once selected, the candidiate will then begin the formal Americorps application process  online. Upon final approval, the Candidate will attend a mandatory Pre-Service Orientation in Boston, July 25 – 30, 2010, and begin their service on site at the National Radio Project on August 2, 2010 and serve through July 31, 2011.