VHA - Charlottesville Economic Opportunity Specialist

Full Job Description

VHA - Charlottesville Economic Opportunity Specialist

Virginia Housing Alliance's (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project is a statewide intermediary project with 17 Host Sites, that all work to either expand affordable housing opportunities and/or end homelessness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. VHA's VISTA project aims to develop viable communities by promoting integrated approaches that provide decent housing, suitable living environments, and expansive economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons. This listing is to fill the Host Site opening at the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA) in Charlottesville, VA. CRHA is a resident-centered organization committed to excellence in providing affordable quality housing, revitalizing communities, supporting resident involvement, and promoting upward mobility and self-sufficiency through partnerships in the public and private sector. In 2021, the CRHA restarted their Resident Services department, which interfaces with their residents to provide wraparound support to address the multiple facets and intersections of low-income housing. They are now in the process of creating dynamic Economic Opportunity Programs that recognize and tackle the role that education, race, culture, language, socioeconomic status, and background play when it comes to poverty. CRHA is looking for a detail-oriented individual to serve as the Economic Opportunity Specialist VISTA to help increase the effectiveness of the Economic Opportunity program by providing much-needed support in the standardization of operating procedures, collection and sharing of data (both quantitative and qualitative), consistent communication practices with partner organizations and residents, and the effective integration of "The Model for Improvement" in Resident Services programming. Preference is for a current community member to step into this role.

Member Duties : The VISTA member will research successful Resident Services departments that have Economic Opportunity programming to create comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for service coordination via the CRHA Resident Services department. These SOPs will include, but are not limited to: data management, resource compilation, staff training, and internal/external communication policies. A large part of the VISTA role and the SOP creation is incorporating the "Model for Improvement" strategies into the Resident Services Program. This includes creating effective data collection, tracking methods, and designing an evaluation and training curriculum to determine the effectiveness of the Economic Opportunity programs. The VISTA will also design and implement training for staff on the new systems, policies, and procedures.

Program Benefits : Childcare assistance if eligible , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Stipend , Living Allowance , Health Coverage* , Education award upon successful completion of service , Teleservice , Relocation Allowance , Training .

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit .

Terms :
Permits working at another job during off hours , Car recommended , Permits attendance at school during off hours .

Service Areas :
Homelessness , Community Outreach , Housing , Community and Economic Development .

Skills :
General Skills , Non-Profit Management , Urban Planning , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Community Organization , Writing/Editing , Social Services , Communications .