Program Associate

Get Smart Schools

Get Smart Schools (GSS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to driving the development of schools that raise the academic achievement of a diverse group of students in Colorado’s urban communities.

To meet this goal, Get Smart Schools prepares and supports talented leaders to open and manage high performing autonomous schools and works to create conditions for these schools to thrive.

To support its leadership initiatives, Get Smart Schools is seeking a Program Associate VISTA Volunteer, through the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer program.

Responsibilities: Program Associate

Working closely with the Senior Advisor for Leadership Initiatives and the Manager for Leadership Initiatives, the Program Associate will be responsible for contributing to the overall implementation of the Fellowship program, including the supporting program of the GSS Board Bank.

• Recruitment Support: Provide support in recruiting and selecting a high quality candidate pool for the 2013-2014 Fellowship cohort.
• Leadership Program Support: Assist in securing speakers and all other logistics for GSS seminars; help to manage participants’ work. Participate in the improvement of all program elements as part of the Leadership Initiatives team.
• Board Bank Management & Recruitment: Recruit a diverse pool of professional and community members to serve on the boards of schools. Work to make matches between individuals and GSS affiliated schools.

Qualifications:

· Bachelors or Masters degree

· Passion for education reform initiatives

· High level of organization

· Strong written and oral communication skills

Benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA Service:

As a VISTA, you’ll gain:

· Memorable experiences

· Highly developed skills

· New friends

· A sense of belonging to a community

· Feeling of waking up every morning to help the world

· A new challenge

Recent graduates gain the kind of real-world experience they can’t find in a typical entry-level job. Experienced adults apply their skills and knowledge to serious social problems and discover previously untapped strengths.

In return for a year of full-time service, you’ll also receive other benefits as well:

· A Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or post-service stipend

· Modest living allowance

· Healthcare benefits while in service

· Childcare assistance while in service

· Student loan forbearance or deferment while in service

· One year of noncompetitive status for a federal government job

· Access to the network of VISTA & VISTA alumni (170,000 strong)

*What is AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.

What VISTA Members Do

VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, you’ll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

Interested applicants should send a brief cover letter and resume to Adrienne@getsmartschools.org by June 18, 2012. Start date: August 14, 2012.