Communications Coordinator VISTA - 2024-25
Communications Coordinator VISTA
For one year, get paid to build sustainable solutions in a community, gain valuable hands on experience and prepare for your future. This full-time AmeriCorps service position offers a great opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others while building your own knowledge and skillset.
AmeriCorps VISTA members are Volunteers in Service to America who perform indirect service to build capacity and sustainable solutions.
What will you do?
The Communications Coordinator will create, document, and implement a plan for creative, engaging, and timely communication to stakeholders including donors, volunteers, Habitat ReStore customers, event attendees, Habitat for Humanity homeowners and homebuyers and the public to increase commitment to Habitat’s mission. Each plan will be well documented and evaluated to ensure sustainability beyond the year of service.
- Research related organizations, programs, procedures and/or resources that are currently in place to identify best practices and any additional marketing and communications needs. Document research and communicate findings to move forward with developing a new or enhanced marketing and communications plan.
- Based on the information gathered during initial research, develop a marketing and communications plan to address the specific and unique needs of the local Habitat organization.
- Implement the new or enhanced marketing and communications plan. Assist the local Habitat organization in testing, evaluating, and revising the various parts of the plan as needed to ensure success.
- Ensure that the marketing and communications plan developed is sustainable, able to be continued at the local Habitat organization after the completion of the VISTA term, by developing manuals/standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training staff members and volunteers on the new plan.
This position will focus on brand management aspects of Habitat affiliate operations.
Where will you serve?
- Organization name: Pensacola Habitat for Humanity
- Nearest metropolitan area: Pensacola, FL
- Full-time staff: 47
- Expected number of AmeriCorps members: 6
- Number of homes to be built: 50
- Activities and attractions: Pensacola is known for its beautiful sugar sand beaches. We have our Naval Aviation Museum, historic lighthouses and forts to visit, as well as Pensacola being the oldest and most historic settlement in America. Located close to Pensacola is Milton, FL. A great place where you can go hiking, tubing or kayaking on Blackwater River or Coldwater Creek. Come experience a wonderful landscape!
- Unique projects: The VISTA member will assist with Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Dinner Gala; Special Builds to include - Women Build, Pride Build; Quarterly Appeals - will be gathering stories to share with supporters.
Benefits of AmeriCorps service
- Living allowance of $22,881.85 for one year of service.
- Segal Education Award of $7,395 (lifetime maximum of two full education awards) OR end-of-service cash stipend of approximately $1,800, upon successful completion of service.
- Forbearance for most federally-guaranteed student loans.
- Health care benefits and enrollment in Employee Assistance Plan.
- 10 personal and 10 medical leave days.
- Personal and professional development opportunities.
- Childcare benefits, if you qualify.
- Noncompetitive eligibility status for federal employment for one year after successful completion of service.
- Relocation assistance: Mileage and a $750 settling in allowance for members relocating more than 50 miles to serve.
Supplemental Benefits
- Free housing
- Access to Manna Food Bank
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens or is a person 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. Applicants must be at least 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED.
What are we looking for?
Our ideal candidates:
- Are passionate about serving the community through direct service.
- Demonstrate respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background.
- Desire to gain hands-on experience in the affordable housing and nonprofit sector.
- Have experience working on a team.
- Possess stellar interpersonal communication skills.
- Are motivated and committed to serve full time and in person.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.
At Habitat for Humanity International, we embrace a history rooted in creating equity and take our mission seriously by courageously committing to a culture and workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued. As an equal opportunity employer, we realize that our success depends upon building an inclusive workforce of diverse perspectives and encourage people of varied races (which is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles and hair texture), ethnicities, national origins, tribes, religions, ages, gender identities and expressions, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, disabilities, veteran/reserve national guard statuses, socio-economic statuses, thinking and communication styles to work with us.
We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.