Day of Service VISTA - L.A. Works

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program dedicated to ending poverty by building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and public agencies. VISTA’s mission is to strengthen and supplement efforts in low-income communities to eliminate and alleviate poverty by engaging volunteers from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age groups in a year of full-time service.

By joining the L.A. Works Volunteer Corps Program, you will be placed with one of our nonprofit partner organizations to serve for 12 months and tasked with a capacity-building project such as: creating sustainable systems to expand services, recruiting community members to volunteer in local programs, establishing a database of program alumni, and/or developing partnerships to bring new economic opportunities in Los Angeles county.

Benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA

• Living Allowance - Receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance of $30,116.15 per year to cover basic expenses.
• Relocation Allowance - If you move 50+ miles from your home to a new community, you receive relocation travel assistance and a settling-in allowance.
• Healthcare Benefits - Choose between reimbursement for healthcare or a healthcare plan that also includes dental and vision coverage.
• Professional Development - Receive in-person and virtual professional development opportunities from L.A. Works and AmeriCorps VISTA throughout the year.
• Child Care Assistance - VISTA members may be eligible to receive a child care benefit if you have children under the age of 13.
• End of Service Award - Choose between the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award $7,395 to pay for education expenses or a cash stipend of $1,800.
• Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) - Qualify for NCE, a unique hiring path that makes it easier for federal agencies to hire you.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be 18 years or older
• Cannot be enrolled in an undergraduate program during your service term
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens and persons residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status
• AmeriCorps VISTA cannot accept applications from international students on OPT/CPT visas

Day of Service VISTA

L.A. WORKS is a non-profit that was founded in 1991 to harness LA’s volunteer power as a way to unite Angelenos and inspire action to help build a more equitable LA. Each year we mobilize more than 25,000 volunteers to address the critical issues impacting our community like food insecurity, homelessness, and educational equity. Our mission is to increase volunteer participation in the community​. Build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions through access to volunteers and other resources​. Educate and encourage people to engage in the broader social issues affecting the greater Los Angeles Community. We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced individuals who share in our passion for service and our civic pride.

Position Summary

The Day of Service VISTA will play a crucial role in strengthening L.A. Works’ organizational capacity for Day of Service events. The Day of Service VISTA will lead the planning and execution of L.A. Works’ large-scale days of service events - focusing first on the national MLK Day of Service event. Through targeted outreach, volunteer engagement, and community-based initiatives and events, the VISTA member will enhance a variety of equity outcomes, volunteer opportunities, and educational opportunities for disadvantaged Angelenos. By improving community engagement and expanding the reach of our programs, we aim to engage Angelenos to support disadvantaged communities experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and social injustices. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in event production, excellent communications skills, be a self-starter, and have experience working with and managing volunteers and/or teams.

Role Responsibilities: 

• Expand the capacity to design, plan, and execute the annual MLK Day of Service event at the LA Coliseum in 2026 to ensure that maximum impact is achieved, including:
  • Leading inter-department event team to leverage existing expertise, reach, and involvement.
  • Executing event vision and build the capacity of the event by focusing on the layout and flow, decor/signage, staging, parking, and vendor partnerships.
  • Build nonprofit partnerships and lead the communication, volunteer project design, post-event surveys, and participant experiences.
  • Train and manage volunteer project leaders and event crew during the event.
  • Develop and recruit a volunteer committee to support Day of Service event planning.
• In collaboration with the Development team, develop new financial partnerships, implement in-kind donation processes for the growth of MLK Day and other signature events through realistic goal-setting and strategic planning.
• In collaboration with the Communications team, develop promotional ideas for Day of Service events including flyers, infographics, and social media content, and track outreach efficacy.
• Build the capacity for tabling events and promoting the Day of Service events throughout the year.
• Align Day of Service mission with the different volunteer motivations such as:
  • Students: experience and resume building
  • Retirees: community involvement and social connection
  • Professionals: skill-sharing and networking
  • Parents: role modeling and family volunteering.
• Develop frameworks for Day of Service events, webinars, orientations, and workshops to educate volunteers on the events.
• Build and strengthen relationships with local organizations, non-profits, schools, and community groups to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
• Conduct community surveys to assess the needs of community groups, schools, non-profits, and local organizations.
• Attend other Day of Service events and participate as a project leader to support volunteers with the projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Positive attitude with a customer service mindset, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to relate and interact with a diverse team.
• Collaborative, humble, responds well to constructive feedback, and is a team player.
• Experience in the nonprofit sector, specifically in nonprofit outreach and partnership development.
• Excellent judgment and sound decision-making skills.
• Motivated self-starter who is able to identify initial and next steps needed and performs well with minimal day-to-day oversight.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Extremely organized and detail-oriented and ability to balance multiple competing projects and priorities.
• Flexibility to respond effectively to changing priorities and fluctuating workloads.
• Ability to be creative and resourceful to develop new, unique programs and initiatives.
• Flexible with a strong desire to learn.
• Experience serving the Los Angeles community.

Additional Requirements: 

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Reliable transportation and access to a personal car for occasional travel throughout Los Angeles County.
• Flexible schedule is required as events may occur on evenings or weekends.
• Experience with (or can quickly adopt) Zoom, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce.
• In-person support at L.A. Works’ large-scale signature events and other organization-wide commitments when necessary.

Hours & Location

• Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Occasional weekends and evenings may be required
• Hybrid schedule (in-person and remote opportunities)

Benefits

• Professional Development: Learn through hands-on experience, skill-building opportunities, and mentorship, helping you grow and advance in your career.
• Skill Variety: Work on a variety of tasks to develop your skills regarding non-profits, grant management, project implementation.
• Leadership & Support: Work within a collaborative team environment that values innovation, mentorship, and community-driven solutions.
• Mission-Driven Culture: Be part of a passionate organization dedicated to fostering clean air, health equity, and economic empowerment in under-resourced communities.

Join us in making a lasting impact on Los Angeles communities while gaining valuable skills for your future career!