AmeriCorps VISTA with Community Options

[Job Description] We are looking for an Employment VISTA to join our team in Binghamton, New York. A successful Employment VISTA will assist us in building networks of funding partners and volunteers to improve supported employment programs for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the Employment VISTA will be responsible for developing a comprehensive list of potential employers and referral sources for outreach, as well as creating marketing material and employer interest forms. This role places high emphasis on employer awareness and engagement, and as such, the Employment VISTA will also work to recruit COBAC (Community Options Business Advisory Council) members and further collaborate with new COBAC recruits and existing members to host education, awareness, and service events surrounding the topic of supported employment. This role is ideal for college students, retirees, or anyone within the Binghamton area that is seeking an opportunity to give back to their community. The only requirements of the candidate are a legal work authorization within the United States, and applicants must be 18 years of age or older. No prior experience within the workforce is necessary – we are more than happy to train and provide the necessary framework for professional development.

[Who is Community Options, Inc., and what is a VISTA?] Community Options, Inc. is a nationally based non-profit dedicated to providing housing and employment opportunities to those with disabilities. We have partnered with AmeriCorps to sponsor 22 AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) service members. The purpose of this project is to embrace our philosophy further in empowering people with disabilities by expanding housing and employment opportunities nationwide. Working alongside AmeriCorps has allowed us to significantly strengthen our web of resources within each community we support, and we are currently looking to expand within the Binghamton area by adding an Employment VISTA to our team.

[What to Expect] AmeriCorps offers VISTA service members a modest living allowance (estimated salary for Broome County is $17,000, pre-tax), free basic healthcare coverage during members’ time of service, a reduction of education costs*, twenty days of leave, relocation compensation for service members who move more than 50 miles to perform their VISTA service, a childcare subsidy for children under 13, Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) for federal jobs upon completion of the year of service, and ample opportunity for professional development. This is a full-time position which reports to the Executive Director. Please contact brooke.sheckler@comop.org for additional information.

 

*see eligibility requirements.