United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and Local Initiatives Support Corporation are seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a Community Assessment Specialist. The candidate will serve a minimum of 1700 hours though the end of his/her term. The exact start and end date is confirmed by the Member Agreement of Participation.
Conducting research that supports the development of Boston Builds Credit, a citywide credit building initiative:
- Conduct consumer/resident research (i.e. focus groups, consumer surveys and literature reviews) to better understand the needs, opportunities and challenges related to credit building in the City of Boston. Emphasis will be on consumer research centered in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan neighborhoods.
- Research effective models for conducting public information campaigns, with an emphasis on credit building, asset building and financial literacy. Help shape this campaign and ensure that the messaging and framing of information reflect how community members learn, understand, share, and act.
- Work with project evaluation team to assess data associated with credit scores and credit building to determine effective strategies for helping Boston residents to improve credit scores.
Conducting community outreach:
- Meet with community based organizations and other non-profit organizations to assess their interest in and capacity to promote credit building for their members/clients;
- Conduct interviews with credit unions, CDFIs and other providers of credit building products to identify opportunities to develop strategic partnerships that promote the responsible use of credit;
- Identify opportunities for promoting credit building services to City of Boston employees and for embedding credit building goals into city programming;
- Meet with other stakeholders who might help to build support for the goals of the credit building initiative.
DESIRED SKILLS
- Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Computer skills
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate must meet all eligibility requirements to serve as a National Service participant including but not limited to:
- Be eligible to earn 100% of a full-time education award
- Be eligible to perform a term of national service
- Be at least 17 years of age (note there is no upper age limit)
- Have unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by CNCS
- Be available to serve for a full 10 month period of time
- Be able to complete at least 1700 hours of service within the 10 months of service as well as serve the full term of the service
Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $5,815 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place existing student loans (loans must qualify and not in a state of default) into AmeriCorps forbearance. The position pays a total stipend of $15,000. The stipend is taxable and paid in 20 equal checks twice a month from LISC. Direct deposit is highly encouraged. A health care benefit is available for the participant only (dependents are not eligible). For members with children under the age of 13, there is a child care subsidy benefit available which is dependent on the participant meeting all eligibility requirements (This benefit is administered by a contracted provider via the Corporation for National and Community Service).
Members will perform day to day service at 51 Sleeper Street, Boston MA and serve a minimum of 40 hours per week. Normal service hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm with 30 minutes for lunch per day. There will be opportunities to serve evenings and weekends.