VISTA Announcement

Recruiting 8/28/2017 to 9/29/2017 for community-minded individuals in the following locations to help establish and develop a program in the Department of Correction that links returning citizens with community mentors: 

• Coeur‘ d Alene,
• Lewiston,
• Caldwell,
• Boise,
• Twin Falls,
• Pocatello,
• Idaho Falls.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a position as an employee with the Idaho Department of Correction or an offer of employment with IDOC.

This is a position through the AmeriCorps VISTA program and current employees of IDOC are not eligible. For additional information visit:

https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorpsvista  

http://serve.idaho.gov/americorps/vista 

You will not be providing direct mentoring services, but rather assist with the establishment and development of the Free2Succeed mentoring program in your respective area.

This is a great opportunity for retirees or students who may be able to work with their school schedule. 

Benefits to becoming a VISTA:

• May be able to hold part-time service outside of employment that doesn’t conflict with VISTA service with supervisor approval. 
• Living allowance of $1,026.00/month – paid bi-weekly.
• End of service education award of $5815 which can be used for future tuition or to repay student loans OR $1800 cash stipend. 
• Federal student loan deferment and interest on loans paid while serving
• 10 personal and 10 medical leave days during a full year of service plus national holidays observed by the sponsoring organization
• Healthcare Allowance up to $6,600 for out-of-pocket qualified medical costs (not premiums). VISTAs are responsible for maintaining their own health insurance during service
• Public assistance benefits held previously are not affected by VISTA living allowance
• Transportation reimbursement of $.57 per mile by Idaho Department of Correction
• One-time $550 settling in allowance can be used for moving expenses, security deposit, etc. (if eligible)
• Relocation reimbursement for travel/shipping related costs up to $.34/mile - $1,000 maximum (if eligible)
• Childcare reimbursement up to $400/child (if whole household is income eligible)
• Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) must be attended before beginning service (4 days in Portland, which is paid for by AmeriCorps)
• Opportunity for in-service training and professional development activities (dates TBA)
• Focus on program development and capacity building (not direct service)
• Gain valuable experience working with numerous people, professionals, volunteers, community organizations, etc. which may lead to full-time employment

Responsibilities: 

• Assist with regional development and implementation of Free2Succeed Community Mentoring program.
• Recruit, train, develop, and support mentors from local community; 
• Create structure and framework within the local probation and parole district office; 
• Do public presentations when needed; 
• Develop community resources, 
• Match mentors with returning citizens, 
• Create sustainable program policies and procedures; 
• Gather research data for program efficacy; 
• Assist with reentry efforts from incarceration to community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At 21 years of age
• Some knowledge of criminal justice 
• Some knowledge of identifying social or human science resources to fit the needs of clients • Some knowledge of computer operations to include entering, retrieving and storing data 
• Some experience writing detailed reports. 
• Valid Driver's License 
• Willingness to work with individuals with criminal backgrounds
• Purchase a cell phone that can be used for work (monthly cell phone allowance will be provided). 

Desirable skills: 

• Leadership 
• Writing/Editing  
• General Skills
• Communications
• Team Work
• Community Organization
• Social Services
• Conflict Resolution
• Public Speaking
• Teaching/Tutoring
• Recruitment
• Non-Profit Management 

To apply go to the following links to review the announcement and click on Apply Now!

Coeur ‘d Alene - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76422&fromSearch=...

Lewiston - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76423&fromSearch=...

Caldwell - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76424&fromSearch=...

Boise - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76354&fromSearch=...

Twin Falls - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76425&fromSearch=...

Pocatello - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76426&fromSearch=...

Idaho Falls - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=76427&fromSearch=...

What do I do now?

Follow the instructions at the specific link above to apply via the AmeriCorps VISTA program and complete a background questionnaire for the Idaho Department of Correction at https://www.idoc.idaho.gov/content/careers/background_investigation_ques... and submit it to Jeff Kirkman at jkirkman@idoc.idaho.gov as soon as you can. 

Do not worry about certain things that may be in your past, we will look at all candidates on a case-by-case basis.