Basic Needs VISTA

This position will support UMass Amherst Basic Needs Initiatives in expanding sustainable, evidence‑based systems that help lower‑income students identify needs, access critical supports (e.g., SNAP, emergency aid, FAFSA assistance, essential supplies, case management), and persist to graduation. The VISTA will strengthen cross‑campus partnerships, training and curriculum, outreach,
and data visualization to increase the scale and effectiveness of basic needs services, ensuring accessible support both in person and virtually. They will develop a comprehensive resource map and collaboration toolkit linking campus units and community agencies, and co‑design high‑impact initiatives
such as Just‑in‑Time One‑Stop Days, competency‑based training modules, a peer mentor curriculum, and an asynchronous Canvas mini‑course that improve students’ ability to navigate basic needs resources. The position will also create communication assets, presentation materials, and an annual implementation plan while coordinating stakeholder outreach, tracking engagement, and aligning efforts with academic partners and Federal Work‑Study structures. Finally, the VISTA member will co‑develop learning outcomes and a competency framework, build curriculum modules with assessments, produce a detailed mentor handbook, define equitable work‑study roles and supervision structures, coordinate with CESL on course designation and academic integration, and prepare a comprehensive Year‑2 implementation plan covering recruitment, training, and evaluation.

Responsibilities:
● Assisting in efforts to optimize a newly launched central one‑stop Basic Needs support and resource navigation model through campus and community partnerships and One Stop Shop Days, and launch targeted student outreach including communications modules
● Working with the Director of Basic Needs Initiatives and the Civic Engagement and Service-learning Team to design Fellows for the Common Good service‑learning and peer mentoring cohort and curriculum to ensure it is ready for launch in Year Two
● Attend orientation, weekly meetings, days of service, and trainings/retreats coordinated by Campus Compact
● Complete data collection and reporting activities required by Campus Compact and AmeriCorps

Preferred Qualifications:
● Skills & experience
○ Experience in and coursework in areas related to public policy, student services, basic needs support, community engagement, or social services
○ Comfort navigating large organizations or higher‑education settings
○ Experience with data tracking and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets)
○ Willingness to learn data visualization and qualitative research methods tools (survey development, and/or program evaluation)
○ Experience creating training materials or educational resources, including comfort with Canvas or other learning management systems
○ Ability to create presentations or outreach materials
○ Project management or organizational skills
● Interpersonal & professional qualities
○ Strong written and verbal communication skills
○ Ability to build relationships with diverse campus and community partners
○ Collaborative, flexible, and able to work in a dynamic, evolving environment
○ Commitment to destigmatizing financial need
○ Passion for supporting students facing basic needs insecurities (food, housing, finances)
Requirements:
● BA/ BS in related field (or a compelling cover letter statement that links your area of studies and
this opportunity)
● Interest in public policy related to access to education and its intersection with poverty alleviation
● US Citizen, national, DACA status, or legal permanent resident
● Must be able to complete a federal background check
Logistics:
● Status: In-person
● Hours
o M – F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Benefits:
AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits:
● Bi-weekly living allowance of $957.46
● End of service award (AmeriCorps member must choose one of two options; requires
completion of full term of service to receive)
○ Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395)
○ End-of-Service Cash Stipend ($1,803.10)
● Relocation stipend for candidates moving more than 50 miles ($750)
● Mileage reimbursement for the candidate moving more than 50 miles ($0.40/mile)
● Healthcare benefits (AmeriCorps member must choose one of two options)
○ Healthcare allowance for out-of-pocket expenses
○ Basic healthcare coverage
● 10 Days Personal Leave
● 10 Days Sick Leave
● 14 Days Holiday Leave
● Childcare assistance for children under 13 years of age