Open VISTA Positions

All AmeriCorps VISTA positions for the February 2021-22 cohort have been filled. Please check back again in May 2021, when we will start recruitment for our August 2021-22 VISTA cohort! 

Mercy Corps Northwest AmeriCorps members oversee projects that build the long-term capacity of their communities through financial education, job skills training, microenterprise & asset development, affordable housing, homeless services, food security, and disaster preparedness. While the programs that AmeriCorps members develop endure for years, AmeriCorps members perform only indirect service; interaction with clients will be limited and the member will spend the majority of their time in an office setting*. However, AmeriCorps service offers the opportunity to gain advanced project management skills and exercise creativity in implementing a program—skills highly desired by employers.

*Please note: AmeriCorps members serving with the Mercy Corps Northwest cohort are placed in different non-profits around Oregon; most positions are located in the Portland Metro Area. Please check the location of the specific position before applying and note that in some cases, rural sites may require that you have reliable transportation. Currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most VISTAs are serving remotely from home. At this time, VISTAs are not required to relocate to serve prior to their start date unless it’s safe to do so. The decision to relocate and serve on-site will be determined by the VISTA in partnership with their host organization. More information on COVID-19 and AmeriCorps service can be found on the AmeriCorps website here. 

Eligibility and Qualifications for Service

To be eligible for AmeriCorps service, a candidate must:

• Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: 
  • US citizen 
  • US National 
  • Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status)
  • Persons legally residing within a state with the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout AmeriCorps service, or holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status
• Able to start by the start date noted in the position listing

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to community/public service
• Intercultural communication skills and experience working within diverse communities
• Preference given to those with lived experience in economically diverse environments 
• Strong volunteer/community service experience
• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree, or 4 years of relevant work experience, or a combination preferred (college degree is NOT required)
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills 
• Proven ability to solve problems and be flexible
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work well in a team environment 
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive preferred

Please note: AmeriCorps positions may require their own specific skills and qualifications not shown in the list above. Please see more details on skills and qualifications for specific AmeriCorps positions in the current listings linked below. 

Benefits

AmeriCorps Members and Leaders serving with the Mercy Corps Northwest cohort receive several benefits including a modest living allowance, an end of service benefit, MCNW-exclusive supplemental benefits, and more. Full details on pay and benefits are located in our FAQ.