Serve Philadelphia VISTA Program Coordinator

  • Full-time

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

  • Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
  • Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
  • Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
  • Benefits - We care about your well-being.


Agency Description

The Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service (MOCEVS) is committed to increasing long term,  sustainable civic engagement throughout the city. To support this goal, we offer a variety of training opportunities  for community members, nonprofit partners, and City agencies. In addition, we support internal and cross-sector convening and collaboration to reduce silos and increase efficiency and efficacy of engagement and volunteer programs and tactics. MOCEVS is housed within the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement.

Job Description

The Serve Philadelphia VISTA Program places 60+ full-time AmeriCorps service members across 25+ City Departments for year-long or summer terms of service, fighting the injustices and causes of poverty.

We’re hiring two Coordinators to specialize in different aspects of this program: a Member Experience Coordinator, and an Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator. These two positions will work closely with the VISTA Program Manager and VISTA Program Director to ensure overall project success.

The VISTA Member Experience Coordinator will be responsible for planning and executing Serve Philadelphia VISTA Program’s professional development and member support experiences for the cohort, including orientation, monthly workshops, and retreats.

The VISTA Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator is responsible for promoting the Serve Philadelphia VISTA Program to a diverse audience and recruiting members to fill project positions.  

Essential Functions

Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator

  • Support the Serve team’s strategic efforts to increase diversity of VISTA applicants and decrease barriers to service
  • Manage and develop social media and communications content in coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service
  • Develop digital and print marketing materials for the Serve VISTA Program
  • Manage and conduct all recruitment efforts for the Serve VISTA Program
  • Develop application materials and documents for VISTA member recruitment
  • Manage application launch procedures and timeline - including working with web-support team to update the application on the website; coordinating email, textbanking, and other stakeholder outreach
  • Manage and facilitate the application process for VISTA members including: application support, screening, sub-site interview support, member selection, member communication
  • Work closely with incoming sub-sites though the member application process
  • Contribute to and implement the annual recruitment plan for VISTA Cohort
  • Establish and maintain recruitment relationships with local universities, organizations, and institutions
  • Intentionally build and maintain pipelines for member recruitment to support a diverse Corps
  • Manage the recruitment and member selection process
  • Support departments and supervisors in recruitment and member selection
  • Manage database to track recruitment efforts
  • Recruit, onboard, and supervise VISTA Leaders
  • Coordinate efforts to engage and maintain connections with Alumni of the program

Member Experience Coordinator:

  • Assist in the administration of the Serve Philadelphia VISTA Program
  • Support the Serve team’s strategic efforts to increase diversity of VISTA applicants and decrease barriers to service
  • Compile and produce quarterly, annual and other reports to the federal grant funder
  • Execute general upkeep in compliance with grant requirements and regulations
  • Support the Serve team’s strategic efforts to increase diversity of VISTA applicants and decrease barriers to service
  • Manage pre-service support, engagement and communication with incoming VISTA members once they are selected
  • Coordinate logistics for the VISTA member onboarding process including a week-long orientation for incoming VISTA members; as well as the VISTA member end of service process, including Lighting Talk events and End of Service Awards & Celebration
  • Plan and Coordinate monthly professional development, teambuilding and retreats for VISTA members
  • Support VISTA Committee & Affinity Group creation and operations
  • Implement quarterly member check-in structure
  • Build and maintain relationships with internal and external trainers and workshop facilitators to support professional development for the VISTA Corps
  • Develop and maintain a program to support member career pipelines and post-service opportunities
  • Support program expansion through relationships, training and innovative tactics
  • Recruit, onboard and supervise VISTA Leaders

In your cover letter, please indicate which Coordinator position you’re applying for.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Each Program Coordinator should demonstrate:

  • Ability to successfully work with others as a part of a team and comfort with managing individual work product
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion values.
  • Strong presentation and training skills 
  • Clear understanding of/willingness to learn best practices in community engagement and volunteer recruitment/retention.
  • Comfort with/interest in innovation, including identifying opportunities to strengthen existing programs, create and/or enhance implementation strategies, and work with a diverse team to implement action plans.
  • Action oriented; an individual not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get into the details of the operation.
  • Excellent time management skills with capacity to work simultaneously on multiple tasks and projects and deliver on deadline.
  • Comfort working with data and digital systems.
  • Ability to build new and maintain existing collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
  • Excellent people-centered customer service skills

Additionally, the Member Experience Coordinator should demonstrate:

  • Ability to mediate, problem solve, and coach VISTA members
  • Interest in/passion for learning & development

Additionally, the Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator should demonstrate:

  • Demonstrated proficiency in recruitment, campaign, or similar setting.
  • Interest in/passion for partnership building and stewardship

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week, M-F. Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired.

Qualifications

  • At least 2-3 years of experience in program coordination
  • Complete a mix of telework and in person duties
  • AmeriCorps service experience is preferred, but not required.

We encourage all to apply, even and especially if you feel “underqualified.” Studies show that people with marginalized identities - including women, LGBTQ+ folks, and people of color- are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed qualification.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary: $60,000 

Did you know?

  • We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
  • 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
  • We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
  • Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
  • Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • Generous retirement savings options are available

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx