Unified Government AmeriCorps Programs

UG VISTA co-brand 2020

Why Serve with AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and talent to strengthen communities.

Who can serve?

AmeriCorps is open to individuals ages 17 and older.

How can I serve?

The Unified Government is committed to civic innovation, job creation, economic development, and the health of Wyandotte County residents and the Unified Government AmeriCorps Program is contributing in big ways!

The Unified Government and AmeriCorps partnership encompasses two community focused programs: The AmeriCorps VISTA Program and the Public Health AmeriCorps Program

Key Principles and Focus Areas

Key Principles
  1. Anti-Poverty Focus
  2. Sustainable Solutions 
  3. Community Engagement
  4. Capacity Building


Focus Areas

  • Economic Opportunity  
  • Healthy Futures  

 


AmeriCorps VISTA Program 

Fight poverty by helping an organization to expand its capacity to make change. Apply your skills to help non-profits, faith-based and community organizations fundraise, write grants, recruit volunteers, and so much more.

As a member in the VISTA program, you serve full time for one-year (365 Days). You will build capacity in nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help them more effectively generate the commitment of private sector resources, encourage volunteer service at the local level, and empower individuals and communities.

Be a part of the amazing work in the Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS community. Becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member is a great opportunity for someone looking to gain experience in local government or nonprofit organizations.

 

Benefits of Service

AmeriCorps VISTA offers many benefits to its members: 
  • Bi-weekly living stipend of $675 pre-tax (approximately $16,200 for 365 days of service)
  • Choice of Segal Education Award ($6,895) or End-of-Term Cash Stipend ($1,800) 

Please Note: Some benefits are contingent on eligibility. 

The VISTA program offers the following additional benefits: 

  • Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE) status for federal employment 
  • $100 monthly housing stipend payable to a landlord or other third party
  • Service-related mileage reimbursement
  • Access to professional development trainings
  • Access to Healthcare Benefits Plans
  • 10 days of personal leave as well as 10 days of sick leave
  • Relocation assistance if moving more than 50 miles to a new community to serve

 

Eligibility Requirements
  • Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
  • Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

Learn more about benefits and AmeriCorps VISTA here: VISTA Program | AmeriCorps

 

 

 

Open Positions

The Wyandotte County AmeriCorps VISTA Program is always looking for motivated, passionate and community focused individuals that are eager to share their knowledge and skill-set to help positively impact Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. 

Look below to review open VISTA positions. Click on each job title below to be redirected to the complete position description and application process.  

 

Crime & Opioid AmeriCorps VISTA
Add extensive capacity to the crime analysis and within "Impacting Crime in Our Neighborhoods" (ICON) and "Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety" (DDACTS) projects. Serve on various projects including brand new real-time crime center unit. Research opioid grants and policies for the purpose of applying for those opioid grants. Curate opioid educational material for better community engagement. Perfect opportunity for some looking for a criminal justice centered or grant writing opportunity.

  • Placement is with the Kansas City, KS Police Department

 

Mayors Task Force Liaison VISTA 
Passionate about residents’ voices being heard by local governments? This is the perfect position for you. Join Mayor Garner’s resident outreach efforts by supporting the newly formed special committees and taskforces. Member duties will include liaising with residents and County Commissioners, drafting communications and official documents, and tracking the progress of the special committees and taskforces. Special Committee topics include unhoused neighbors, recreation and community health, environmental sustainability, and much more. Perfect opportunity to gain experience within the local government landscape.

  • Placement is within Mayor Garner’s Office.

Outreach & Development AmeriCorps VISTA
Want to help start at non-profit organization? This is the role for you! This AmeriCorps member will research and strategize possibility of establishing 501(c)3 status for the Animal Services unit of the Kansas City, KS Police Department. The member will also lead the research and strategy of building a robust volunteer run outreach program. This is the perfect opportunity for someone looking for expansive experience to break into the non-profit field. 

 Research and strategize possibility of establishing 501(c)3 status for the Animal Services unit. Define what would be required to establish a 501(c)3. Establish how a 501(c)3 status would benefit KCK ASU. Present information gathered; provide recommendations for moving forward. Research and develop a volunteer run outreach program. Examine funding and outside support. Draft, edit, and produce standard operating procedure documentation. Create formal volunteer program, current lacks policy, procedures, and structure. Examine model practices for Animal Service Volunteer programming. Develop programming, procedures, policies. Create public facing forms, materials, etc. for volunteer recruitment, etc. Research and identify best practices for volunteer recruitment, enrollment, retention. Implement best practices. Lead roll out of volunteer program.

  • Placement is with the Animal Service Unit of the Kansas City, KS Police Department.

Strategic Communications AmeriCorps VISTA
Passionate about communications? Want to be a part of local government outreach and communication? Join us in this American Rescue Plan Act-specific position. Get an understanding of the current landscape of Wyandotte County, how the ARPA funds are being utilized, and where the need for communications lies. Strategize ways to evaluate the communications plan in order to achieve the objectives for the plan. Help build a community network of organizations, groups, and individuals to quickly get communications out to the public.

  • Placement will be with the Unified Government Strategic Communications Department. 

Urban Design and Planning AmeriCorps VISTA 
One of the most critical functions of the Urban Design and Planning Department is to facilitate conversations internally and externally to bring stakeholders together around a common purpose. The success of this task largely depends on the narrative that the Department, through various verbal and non-verbal platforms, can communicate these ideas to decision-makers, stakeholders, and the general public. In an increasingly visual world, how we tell these stories and the tools that we use to do so has a direct correlation to public participation, community buy-in and ultimately, the effectiveness of our very work.

  • Placement will be with the Unified Government Urban Design and Planning Department.

 

Resource Outreach Specialist Alive & Thrive Wyandotte County 

 Within 1 year, the VISTA member will have updated, maintained, and improved the Alive & Thrive online asset mapping resource guide. Lead focus groups with community stakeholders to review existing asset mapping, identify gaps, and suggest new/untapped resources. Meet with all existing and newly identified resource providers to update service and contact information. Identify new resources and Alive & Thrive partners. Work with web designer to update links to resources and improve asset mapping functionality. Create and implement a plan to market the asset mapping resource to Wyandotte County. The plan will include public speaking engagements with county stakeholders. Within 1 year, the VISTA member will help Alive & Thrive’s objective to complete 5 Community Projects that promote resilience in Wyandotte County. Within 1 year, the VISTA member will help Alive & Thrive’s objective to complete 5 Community Projects that promote resilience in Wyandotte County.

  • Placement at Wyandot Behavioral Health Network 

 

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response VISTA

 Assist with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response staff in reviewing the current emergency response plans to ensure they meet the Center for Disease Control operational readiness requirements. Address needs in changing or updating the plans to meet the requirements and in doing so include plans that are equitable for all. The AmeriCorps VISTA project will build partnerships with community members and ensure the county is ready to respond to a public health emergency at all times.

Analyze and review the current Public Health Department emergency plans to ensure they meet the Center for Disease Control operational readiness requirements. Identify gaps in the current plans and recommend changes needed. Coordinate with community members and other stakeholders to develop possible emergency plan changes, including a whole community approach and health equity. Communicate with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response staff to establish changes to the plans and/or create new plans

  • Placement at the UG Public Health Department


ThrYve – Reduce Youth Violence for Equity  

ThrYve supports a community-level approach to preventing youth violence by empowering youth and families to thrive by providing a safe and supportive environment for our youth and families to flourish. We work closely with youth and community members to provide a collaborative network of youth opportunities, including programs, training, and outreach efforts that help reduce youth violence and promote more equitable conditions, particularly for the youth of racial and ethnic identities. The VISTA would need to have basic computer skills as an entry level, and they will be expected to complete related IT trainings during the first months of service (Microsoft suite, Zoom, Teams, etc.). Precision and attention to details are also required skills.

The VISTA will coordinate the work of the ThrYve Team to ensure that the project activities are sustained. The VISTA will work with the Evaluation Team to track, manage, clean, and gather ThrYve-related data. Professional Development: Throughout the service year, engage in ongoing professional development that furthers goals of this VAD or goals for Life After VISTA.

  • Placement at ThrYve


KCK: Housing Solutions AmeriCorps VISTA

This position is placed with Cross-Lines, Community Outreach, Inc. Overall, the AmeriCorps VISTA will serve to increase capacity within Kansas City, Kansas to address homelessness and lack of access to affordable housing. Duties will include but is not limited to establishing a greater understanding of issues related to homelessness, raising awareness and educating the general population, and identifying and adding permanent supportive housing projects to our community.

Conduct research on national best practices to address issues of homelessness and access to affordable housing. Improve, expand, and build capacity within currently available systems to address homelessness, and assist in development of new processes to address needs. Convene stakeholders to discuss the issue and create a brief report summarizing potential strategies and challenges. Build capacity for a long term sustainable community approach to reduce homelessness in Kansas City, Kansas. Identify grants and opportunities to apply and/or fundraise for potential solutions to address homelessness and access to affordable housing. Develop and implement a plan to educate and raise awareness around the topics of homelessness and affordable housing.

  • Placement at Cross-Lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Apply

Applying to become a AmeriCorps VISTA is a rather simple process that takes a few simple steps in the application and interview process. 

If you are interested in more information regarding a position within the AmeriCorps VISTA program, as an initial application step, please email your resume to americorps@wycokck.org. In the body of the email please be sure to include which position(s) you are interested in applying for.  

To assist you in the application process, please click the link below to view the "The Apply to AmeriCorps VISTA Checklist"

AmeriCorps-VISTA-Applicant-Checklist.pdf(PDF, 257KB)

Click Here to begin creating your AmeriCorps profile

Summer Associates

Looking for a summer opportunity? The AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate program offers you the opportunity to become engaged in a community through an existing AmeriCorps VISTA project for 8, 9, or 10 weeks during the summer starting in May and ending no later than early September.

  • Living Stipend is $2,877 pre-tax for 8-10 weeks of service.
  • Segal Education Award of $1,459.26 or a Cash Stipend of $311.00
  • Summer associates don’t qualify for other benefits such as healthcare or housing stipends. 

Open positions: 

Please check back in March 2023 for open positions or contact mahuhn@wycokck.org to be put on the waitlist. 

Subject: Summer Associate interest. Please include a copy of your resume. 

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
  • Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
  • Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

Learn more about benefits and AmeriCorps VISTA here: VISTA Program | AmeriCorps

Summer Associate Benefits

AmeriCorps members serving as VISTA Summer Associates receive many of the same benefits as those who serve full-time for one year. Summer Associates are eligible to receive:

  • Living allowance
  • End-of-service summer award 
  • Reduction of education costs
  • Limited leave

Because Summer Associate service is a shorter term, there are important changes in AmeriCorps benefits available. These are noted below; you can find more details on the AmeriCorps VISTA benefits in the member handbook.

End-of-Service Benefit for VISTA Summer Associates

To see the current value of the education award, visit the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award fund page. The award is in the form of a voucher (not cash) and can be used to pay for future educational training and related expenses at Title IV schools, and/or to repay existing eligible federal student loans. Be sure to visit the Education Award site to learn which student loans are qualified.

Leave for VISTA Summer Associates

There are three categories of leave available to Summer Associates

  • Holidays: Summer Associates receive leave on federal holidays observed by their project site.
  • Emergency Leave: When an emergency or illness prevents a Summer Associate from serving, AmeriCorps staff may approve make-up time to help the Summer Associate meet the required number of service days.
  • Jury Duty: Summer Associates who are summoned for jury duty will continue to receive their living allowance.

Summer Associates do not receive personal or sick leave.

Resources

For more information on the Summer Associate program and member benefits, explore the following resource:

  • AmeriCorps VISTA Member Handbook, Chapter 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Public Health AmeriCorps Program

The Unified Government is excited to announce a new AmeriCorps opportunity! AmeriCorps has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create Public Health AmeriCorps, a groundbreaking new initiative made possible by an investment of the CDC’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Serving with an AmeriCorps State and National program puts you in an environment that propels your personal development, opens diverse career paths, and promotes lifelong civic engagement. Join the movement to address urgent public health needs. From the back office to the frontlines, there’s a place for you with Public Health AmeriCorps.

The AmeriCorps Public Health Program focuses on promoting healthy futures with service opportunities in a wide variety of public initiatives such as:

  • Maternal/ Child health
  • Public Works
  • Safe and Affordable Housing 
  • Community Safety
  • Tobacco Sensation

Benefits of Service

Public Health Americorps offers many benefits to its members: 
  • Public Health AmeriCorps members can serve 450, 675, or 900 hours of service. Member living stipend varies on number of hours being served and member start date. 

Half Time- 900 hours
Living Allowance:  $12,600 (this is pre-tax)
Education Award: $3,247.50

Reduce Half Time- 675 hours
Living Allowance: $9,450 (this is pre-tax)
Education Award: $2,474.27

Quarter Time- 450 hours
Living Allowance: $6,300 (this is pre-tax)
Education Award: $1,718.25

The Public Health AmeriCorps program offers the following additional benefits: 

  • Service-related mileage reimbursement
  • Access to professional development trainings

During service, you will receive:

  • A modest living allowance (available to most members)

  • Childcare and/or health benefits (available to some members)

  • Skills-based and professional development training

  • Forbearance for federally backed students loans; after you successfully complete your term of service, you are eligible to have the interest incurred during service paid in full

After service, you will receive: 

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to use on future educational expenses or to pay back qualified student loans. The value is dependent on length of service. Members 55+ are eligible to transfer their Education Award to a family member

  • Competitive job edge in your job search, including access to a network of over 600 Employers of National Service 

Eligibility Requirements

To serve in AmeriCorps State and National, you must:

  • be 17 years or older (no upper age limit)
  • be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident

Open Positions

Hiring for Positions will open Fall 2022 

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas Public Health Department will have 15 half-time AmeriCorps members who will serve in four teams focused on one of each of the following areas; tobacco cessation, Wyandotte County's community health improvement plan, COVID-19 education and outreach to unvaccinated residents including those a part of historically marginalized populations, and WyCo Connect, a new initiative that addresses the economic and health effects of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County, KS. 

Public Health Communications & Strategic Planning VISTA
This VISTA assignment will increase the Unified. Government Public Health Department’s (UGPHD’s) communications capacity and establish a more consistent and strategic approach to disseminating public health information to community members in Wyandotte County. This process will include an emphasis on language access. The VISTA will ensure that UGPHD communications procedures align with current Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) standards. The VISTA will also support the UGPHD Strategic Planning process, facilitate Accreditation updates, strengthen the UGPHD’s performance management system, and recommend workforce development improvements.

Member Duties: Communications: Review previous communications goals and procedures, draft updated communications goals and procedures, and present the draft and any additional recommendations to UGPHD Communications staff. Assess needs and make recommendations for an updated internal Communications project management process and task management so that all staff involved know what next steps need to be done to avoid redundancy. Ensure that materials in the language(s) the VISTA speaks are accurate and readable, and recommend increasing language access. Assist in Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) standards and strategic planning.

Tobacco Public Health AmeriCorps Member 
Members will serve on a tobacco cessation team focused on adult and youth cessation and prevention. Wyandotte County has a smoking rate of 21.8% compared to 17.4% statewide. Individuals with lower income levels and lower educational attainment are more likely to smoke or utilize other tobacco products compared to higher earners or those with more education. Three half-time AmeriCorps members will be trained and certified as Tobacco Treatment Specialists (TTS).

Member Duties: As a TTS, AmeriCorps members will serve at a minimum of three sites providing tobacco counseling and education. Members will be provided with HIPAA training and Health Equity Action Transformation (H.E.A.T.) training. Members will build capacity for referrals to the Kansas Quitline.

 

Additional information regarding open positions is expected to be released by October 2022.

How to Apply

Applying for an opportunity with the Public Health AmeriCorps Program takes a few simple steps in the application and interview process. 

If you are interested in more information regarding a position within the Public Health AmeriCorps program, as an initial application step, please email your resume to americorps@wycokck.org. In the body of the email please be sure to include which position(s) you are interested in applying for.  

Click Here to begin creating your AmeriCorps profile.

 

 

 

 

AmeriCorps Spotlights & News Articles

May 2022
"My Journey as a VISTA" - Blog Post by Melody Burns (UG Planning Urban Design VISTA) 

News Article - March 2022
"UG Celebrates AmeriCorps Partnership by Recognizing AmeriCorps Week" 

News Article - Feb. 2022
"UG AmeriCorps Grant Funding to Improve Community Health and Alleviate Poverty"

More AmeriCorps Information 

AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the county’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture.

To learn more about AmeriCorps program, please visit AmeriCorps.gov.