Digital Literacy VISTA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND   

At the National Housing Trust, we equip communities for a sustainable, equitable future by preserving and modernizing existing homes—and building new homes that stand the test of time. Our team of passionate experts and advocates brings resident services, lending, policy, sustainability, and development under one roof, giving us the tools to make real change possible for the people we serve. We believe in the power of learning and creating with the communities around us. That’s why for over 30 years, we’ve partnered with residents, local experts, and national leaders to find the solutions that work. Because we want everyone—everywhere—to be proud of where they live. 

 

Our Community Outreach and Impact (COI) team focuses on the importance of resident empowerment. For NHT, this means not only dismantling the barriers that obstruct success, but ensuring our residents are equipped with the knowledge, tools and opportunities to be successful. We believe that we must make investments in the personal capacity of our residents to help move their communities and families forward. 

 

POSITION____________________________________________ 

This is an exciting opportunity to impact more than 500 households in affordable housing communities located in the District of Columbia. This is a unique opportunity to work with an organization dedicated to the success of the affordable housing communities and residents in which we serve. In addition, the position will receive additional professional development support through Literacy Minnesota, an organization committed to sharing the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy. 

With support from Literacy Minnesota, the Digital Literacy VISTA will expand existing, community-level digital literacy and navigation efforts across 8 affordable housing communities in the District of Columbia. The VISTA's work will build a programmatic infrastructure for digital literacy programming, complete with program materials, assessment tools and evaluation strategies to support long-term, sustainable solutions for residents living in NHT communities. Additionally, the VISTA will support digital knowledge learning within NHT's Community Outreach and Impact (COI) team. Through their contribution, the Digital Literacy VISTA will build the capacity of NHT to successfully implement digital equity goals as part of a larger anti-poverty measures. 

Essential to success will be a flexible, compassionate self-starter with a passion for bridging the digital divide among low-income families. Recognizing the breadth of work associated with digital navigation and the systemic barriers to community-based solutions, the Digital Literacy VISTA will be supported by the Managing Director of Community Outreach and Impact, COI Associate, Resident Service Coordinators (RSCs), and community stakeholders to ensure appropriate programmatic planning, implementation, and management. The Digital Navigator VISTA will be co-supervised by the COI Associate and one of the RSCs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES   

The Digital Literacy VISTA will work on a variety of assignments related to digital navigation, literacy and access including but not limited to: 

 

Program Development and Administration (45%) 

 

Data Analysis and Program Evaluation (35%) 

 

Stakeholder Engagement (10%) 

 

Professional Development (10%) 

 

This is an impactful opportunity for an individual dedicated to serving the communities in which we are present. This position is most suitable for recent college graduate and/or graduate student; however, applicants with comparable experience will also be considered and are encouraged to apply. Other qualifications include: 

 

DURATION AND HOURS: This is a full-time, position with a 40-hour work week available to anyone in the United States. Candidates located in the DMV will a work a hybrid schedule at the discretion of the department supervisor. If the candidate is not local to the DMV, they are eligible for a fully remote service year. The expected start date for this position is January 17, 2023.  

 

COMPENSATION: AmeriCorps VISTAs are allotted a bi-weekly living allowance and an education award to be awarded at the completion of the service year, in addition to the vast AmeriCorps Alumni network and professional development opportunities provided from AmeriCorps, Literacy Minnesota and NHT. For candidates living in the DMV, they are eligible to receive an additional monthly stipend of $1,000 for housing costs. NHT will also cooperate with any academic or training programs relevant to award of academic credit for the experience. 

 

JOIN US: Visit the My AmeriCorps Portal, create a profile, and complete the application. Click here to apply: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=115641

 

NHT is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all our employment programs and decisions, including, but not limited to recruitment and hiring. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, genetic information, covered veteran’s status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state or local law. BIPOC applicants, women, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. 

 

NHT requires that all employees maintain ‘Up to Date’ COVID-19 vaccination status, following the CDC guidelines, unless they are eligible for an accommodation due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief or practice that prevents them from receiving the vaccine.