The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are seeking a summer only AmeriCorps member to serve as a Program Assistant. The candidate will ideally begin service on August 1 and serve a minimum of 300 hours through the end of his/her/their term on September 30th.The exact start and end date is confirmed by the Member Agreement of Participation. The individual selected to serve is not considered to be an employee of MWCLT or LISC.
ORGANZIATION BACKGROUNDS
The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to develop and maintain permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income households. Using the Community Land Trust (CLT) model, the MWCLT creates homes that are sold to qualified buyers while retaining ownership of the land beneath the houses. These homes receive permanent subsidy that stays in the home and allows the home to be sold below market value. As an affordable alternative to renting, the CLT model allows families to build wealth through their monthly mortgage payments. In exchange for buying the house at a lower price, a CLT homeowner agrees to pass on the gift, and sell the home at a price that is affordable to someone in a similar financial situation. The new resale price is determined by the increase in the Richmond region’s Area Median Income (AMI).The Maggie Walker CLT is committed to providing perpetually affordable homes to families with modest incomes throughout Richmond’s neighborhoods. In this way, we can keep our neighborhoods diverse and vibrant, even as housing prices rise. Without a program like the MWCLT, some neighborhoods in Richmond will be unaffordable to many of our citizens in the next decade.
With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Over the last 38 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $20 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. These investments have leveraged more than $60.4 billion in development activity and helped families and communities raise their standards of living. LISC investments impact the lives of nearly 7 million Americans. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 35 markets and a Rural program making an impact in 2,100 counties. Visit us at www.lisc.org
AMERICORPS MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The AmeriCorps member will assist MWCLT and LISC Richmond, with support from the LISC National Health Initiatives team, in bringing resources and technical assistance to Richmond housers to address social determinants of health (SDoH) in community development projects, especially affordable and workforce housing. An AmeriCorps member will assist MWCLT in its operations of the Richmond Land Bank which is embarking on an exciting explorative planning study in collaboration with Historic Richmond in the North Jackson Ward neighborhood. The AmeriCorps member will assess opportunities to integrate SDoH into MWCLT’s activities and planning efforts, using the Enhance Impact health equity framework. The member will also support these initiatives with research, creating print and promotional materials for community outreach, and developing methods of further community engagement through social media or even site-specific installation(s) (for example, an on-site comment box). The AmeriCorps Member responsibilities will also include some ongoing support with data entry and organization through the HomeKeepers portal, a software developed specifically for Community Land Trusts.
PERFORMANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
This is an AmeriCorps position. LISC and MWCLT will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member. Members will be provided with goal(s) at the onset of the service assignment based on the activities and responsibilities noted above. Members will track goal attainment monthly through an on-line system (training provided). Members will also discuss professional performance in the form of a mid-term and final appraisal. Members are required to track time and submit on-line (training provided) timesheets twice per month.
Members will perform day to day service at MWCLT and serve a minimum of 35 hours per week. Normal service hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm with 30 minutes for lunch per day. There will be opportunities to serve evenings and weekends. Members will have an immediate supervisor and a local LISC supervisor throughout the term of service as identified by LISC and MWCLT.
Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:
- Attending a local onboarding session coordinated by LISC and an onsite orientation to our organization;
- Attending all locally sponsored monthly meetings;
- Participating in nationally sponsored webinars;
- Actively participating in team coordinated service projects; and,
- Engaging in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC office.
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 the education award associated with this description
- Be eligible to perform the term of national service associated with this description
- 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 during the pre-enrollment period
- Possess a high school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED during the term of service
- Be at least 17 years of age (note there is no upper age limit)
- Be able to complete at the hours within the timeframe of the service term and serve the full term
NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH REQUIREMENT
If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. Candidates who are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of murder may not participate as an AmeriCorps member in any national service program. Only candidates being offered and then accepting the position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, State Level Criminal History Search, and an FBI search. All results must be received and reviewed by LISC at least two weeks prior to the first day of proposed service. Candidates must be cleared for service by LISC prior to the first day of service. LISC will review and discuss with the candidate any concerns with eligibility that may arise as a result of these checks as per LISC’s policy.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $1,289.95 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 $3,000. The stipend is taxable and paid in four equal checks from MWCLT.
Additional benefits for alums can be found here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply contact info@mwclt.org
We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.
This program is available to all, and we treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.