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Job Description
AmeriCorps VISTA member will work towards economic development in partnership with the residents of Green River, Utah. Along with creating and nurturing the development of direct economic development of businesses, VISTA member will work to alleviate housing burdens by identifying and matching regional resources to specific families to exhibit tangible pathways out of substandard, unaffordable, and/or unhealthy living conditions. VISTA member will work within the office of the Epicenter under direct supervision of the Director of the Epicenter with oversight by the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Green River Positive Action Community Team, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of the residents of Green River.

AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAs) receive… a living stipend based on the poverty level income for the area of service (approximately $850/month in Green River). An education award of $5550 or a cash award of $1500 is available at the successful completion of service. A health insurance benefit is offered to VISTAs. Due to the national service nature of VISTA, student loans may be deferred during service.

• Review of applicants to-date: 9 Feb 2012
• Decision: 16 Feb 2012
• All paperwork in: 1 March 2012
• PSO April 16-19 in Los Angeles

1. “Potluck” - Nurture and assist the developing business league that seeks to coordinate businesses to grow the economic opportunity of the town.
2. City/County Public Services Bldg - Under the direction of the City of Green River, facilitate the process of funding and construction of a new public services building (fire, ambulance, highway patrol, sheriff) as a City/County partnership.
3. Housing Resources - Identify and collect information on applicable resources and programs available to local residents seeking to improve their housing quality; promote resources/programs to applicable clients, in effect raising the standards of living for residents.
4. Revitalization of Broadway - Identify and collect information on applicable resources and programs available to the City of Green River, businesses, and property owners to improve the physical appearance as well as the economic climate for the “center” of town.
5. BEAR Outreach Specialist - Visit and process businesses into the BEAR system as well as promote the Epicenter Design Department’s services with a focus on Green River, but may include Price and Moab.
6. Town Assessment(s) - Conduct evaluations of selected towns in Emery County assessing home quality, vacant properties, business types, land use, et cetera.
7. Rental housing development - seek contacts and resources for developing affordable rental housing.
8. Graphic design and production - design and produce graphic products, including web development, for county, city, and local partnerships
9. Grant writing - research and write effective grants for the benefit of the City, County, and/or Epicenter (training would be provided; applicant should be able to make compelling written statements based on demonstrated needs and data).
10. Hispanic Outreach - Engage in the local Hispanic community through consistent and relevant communication regarding housing programs and community development.
11. Financial Literacy - Either teaching classes about financial literacy or coordinating financial literacy classes, promoting the course, and ensuring the quality of the course. Additionally, helping local businesses and families budget their finances.

• excellent personal skills, including effective verbal and written communication; clarity in public presentations
• flexibility in work
• self-starter and thorough-finisher
• computer and technologically-savvy
• desire to live/work in a small town, and an understanding of the nature of the culture of Epicenter and Green River
• strong task-oriented work ethic, with attention to detail
• sensitivity to learning from and understanding people of a different background
• confidence in one’s work and ability to uphold the privacy of clients

• a college degree (preferred majors: finance, sociology, architecture, design, accounting, economics, social work, business, and public administration)
• ability to speak Spanish fluently
• work experience in economic development
• work experience at a non-profit or government entity or business incubator
• work experience with affordable housing (especially USDA RD)
• work experience with a chamber of commerce
• work experience with planning and zoning commissions
• knowledge of rural economics
• knowledge of rural social issues
• knowledge of graphic, web, and print design
• knowledge of screen-printing
• knowledge of marketing, advertising, and social media