Colorado Nonprofit Association

Community Engagement Catalyst | AmeriCorps VISTA Member

AmeriCorps VISTA opportunity in Colorado Springs!

The Community Engagement Catalyst will play a pivotal role in expanding our volunteer initiatives and enhancing our ability to serve the Central and Southeastern Colorado Springs communities effectively. This position involves working closely with our team to develop, promote, and manage volunteer programs that align with our mission and address community needs. The Catalyst will engage with stakeholders to determine the programming mix that should be offered in partnership with the Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center, identifying programming opportunities, and launching pilot programs to support low-income families. Reporting to the Senior Program and Impact Manager, the Catalyst will cultivate relationships with local volunteers, community organizations, and stakeholders to foster a vibrant culture of volunteerism and community engagement. The role will be 30 hours/week with remote flexibility and hybrid options.  

Primary Responsibilities:
50% Volunteer Recruitment and Capacity Building
– Volunteer Skills Matching: Collaborate with the Manager of Program Partnerships and Impact to identify and match volunteer skills with community needs, ensuring a rewarding experience for volunteers and impactful outcomes for the community.
– Outreach and Recruitment: Engage in outreach activities to recruit and retain a diverse volunteer base, with a focus on individuals who can support initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
– Partnership Development: Develop and maintain partnerships with local businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations to increase volunteer participation and resource sharing.
– Volunteer Activity Coordination: Coordinate and support volunteer activities, ensuring they are well-organized, meaningful, and align with our strategic anti-poverty goals.
– Volunteer Program Administration: Manage administrative aspects of the volunteer program, including data entry, record keeping, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
– Communication and Outreach: Create and disseminate communication materials, such as newsletters, to highlight volunteer opportunities, celebrate volunteer achievements, and keep the community informed about our mission.50% Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center Support
– Educational Partnership Development: Initiate and nurture partnerships with schools, school districts, and educational organizations to promote engagement with Junior Achievement’s initiatives, focusing on those serving low-income communities.
– Program Evaluation: Conduct evaluations of volunteer activities to assess their impact on reducing poverty and identify opportunities for improvement.
– Collaboration with Program Teams: Work closely with other program teams within Junior Achievement, as well as partners within the Family Success Center, to ensure a cohesive approach to community engagement and to leverage synergies between educational programs and other organizational initiatives.If you have many of the following qualifications, we’d love to hear from you!

1. Strong Communication Skills: Effective oral and written communication abilities to engage with diverse stakeholders.
2. Organizational Skills: Excellent time management and ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
3. Community Engagement: Experience in community outreach, volunteer management, or partnership development.
4. Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and find creative solutions to challenges.
5. Passion for Education and Poverty Alleviation: A demonstrated commitment to improving educational outcomes and reducing poverty.
6. Data Management and Analysis: Proficiency in using data management tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) to collect, analyze, and report data accurately.
7. Grant Writing and Fundraising: Experience in researching, writing, and managing grants, as well as developing and executing fundraising campaigns.
8. Project Management: Ability to use project management tools to plan, track, and manage project activities and timelines.
9. Digital Literacy: Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, CRM systems) for communication, collaboration, and documentation.
10. Public Speaking and Presentation Skills: Ability to deliver engaging presentations and training sessions to diverse audiences, including educators, volunteers, and community members.