El Centro AmeriCorps VISTA (Full-Time)
Organizational Overview
El Centro is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide culturally competent financial literacy, business training, and entrepreneurial coaching in Spanish.
Position Overview
El Centro is seeking a bilingual (Spanish/English), well-organized, and independent leader to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA for a 12-month period beginning December 28th, 2024. This position is a full-time, non-employee placement with the national AmeriCorps VISTA program. Candidates will need to be eligible for the AmeriCorps VISTA program. More information can be found at https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista
The AmeriCorps VISTA will develop the capacity of El Centro to create economic opportunity for low-income Spanish-speaking residents of the Greater New Orleans Metro Area. To do this, they will support El Centro with 3 different objectives over the service year:
Objective 1
Recruit, coordinate training, verify certification, and schedule new VITA Latinx Volunteers to serve as tax preparers who provide low-income, Spanish-speaking taxpayers with access to EITC and CTC programs.
Certify as an Advanced Tax Preparer
Lead study sessions for volunteers
Maintain complete volunteer files, including volunteer applications, emergency contact information, training attendance, copies of certifications, volunteer service log, and experience survey
Provide day-of logistical support at Super Sábado! (Super Saturday!) community tax events
Objective 2
Convene participants in a community forum to strengthen collaboration, improve referral processes, and address common barriers among agencies working to build economic access and resiliency for low-income immigrant, Latino, and Spanish-speaking community members.
Complete issues and alliance-building training
Outreach to local agencies
Coordinate and co-host forum (including online participants)
Create a follow-up summary and compile shared resources
Survey participants
Objective 3
Develop a resource guide for low-income business owners and entrepreneurs to increase direct service provider efficiency in managing caseloads of low-income, Spanish-speaking business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs as they strive to create their own economic opportunities.
Meet with service provider staff to create a need assessment
Research and conduct outreach to non-profit agencies and low-cost professional service providers
Vet providers for language access, cost, public reviews, and applicable licenses and certifications
Schedule meetings with service providers and applicable El Centro staff
Compile, publish, and distribute information
Create email and WhatsApp business template responses
Work with El Centro marketing staff to publish FAQ on the website
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal candidate will meet the following education and skill requirements:
Bi-lingual (speaking and writing both Spanish and English)
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in an applicable field
Coalition-building skills; ability to effectively convene, facilitate, and follow-up meetings within a timely manner
Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and display a supportive and professional disposition with diverse populations
Aptitude for following and creating clear workflow and customer service processes
Problem-solving skills
Comfort with technology (computers, software, internet platforms, etc.)
Strong Customer Service, Analytical, and Problem-Solving Skills
Highly Desired Qualifications
Education and/or experience with US tax law
Experience in community organizing
Experience using Salesforce
Non-profit service delivery experience (in social services or education)
Benefits
Free Health Insurance
Free Housing (through Tulane University)
Education Award $7,395
Relocation Reimbursement $750
Mileage reimbursement $.65/ mile (or current federal rate)
Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) Status for Federal Jobs (1 year)
Loan Deferment and Interest Forbearance
Childcare Benefit Program
Physical Demands
This position requires standing and lifting up to 25 pounds of supplies and equipment. All reasonable accommodations will made to create an inclusive work environment.
Schedule
Candidates must be available full-time for in-person attendance M-Th from 9:am to 5:pm and 10:am to 1:pm on Fridays. On average, there will be bi-monthly obligations on evenings and Saturdays.
Supervision
Reports to the Site Coordinator, Assistant Site Coordinator, and Executive Director.
How to apply
All applications must be submitted online here https://forms.gle/z2p8JCQNjd7twL31A
Questions? Email roxanne@elcentrola.org
El Centro is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
