Economic Mobility Resource Systems VISTA

This AmeriCorps VISTA position will serve with the Unified Government Mayor’s Office, supporting efforts to reduce poverty and economic insecurity among low-income Wyandotte County residents. The VISTA will help develop coordinated systems that connect residents with resources for employment, education, housing, food access, transportation, childcare, financial education, and benefits assistance.

The position will focus on building a searchable community resource directory, developing tools for coordinated referrals and economic mobility coaching, and establishing systems to evaluate and sustain these efforts. Rather than directly providing services, the VISTA will create the infrastructure, tools, and partnerships that help staff and community organizations connect residents with resources and address barriers to economic stability.

This role is ideal for someone interested in community resource coordination, social services, program development, data management, or economic mobility., * Research and inventory existing community resources addressing employment, education, housing, food access, transportation, childcare, financial education, and benefits assistance.

• Develop a searchable resource and partner directory documenting eligibility requirements, referral contacts, accessibility, and service availability.
• Establish procedures for regularly verifying and updating community resource information.
• Develop tools to gather community and partner input on barriers to economic stability, with initial attention to neighborhoods identified through health, environmental, and economic data.
• Conduct a resource gap analysis to identify priority needs, potential partners, and opportunities to improve coordination.
• Research and organize approved economic mobility coaching approaches into a practical toolkit for staff and volunteers.
• Develop facilitator guides, orientation materials, goal-setting templates, and training procedures to support consistent coaching practices.
• Create referral workflows that clarify partner responsibilities, referral handoffs, and follow-up expectations.
• Develop tools for authorized staff to track referral connections and identify recurring barriers that prevent residents from accessing services.
• Establish procedures for maintaining and updating resource directories, coaching materials, and referral tools.
• Develop an evaluation framework and reporting templates to help staff document resource connections, referral completion, identified barriers, and other approved measures of economic mobility activity.
• Gather staff and partner feedback to improve resource, coaching, and referral systems.
• Prepare a sustainability guide documenting system ownership, update schedules, training responsibilities, and recommendations for continued implementation.

• Organized, resourceful, and detail-oriented.
• Interested in community resources, social services, economic mobility, or community development.
• Comfortable conducting research, organizing information, and developing practical tools and procedures.
• A clear communicator who enjoys collaborating with different organizations and community partners.
• Interested in using data and feedback to identify gaps, improve coordination, and strengthen programs.
• Motivated to help reduce barriers to economic stability and improve access to opportunities for low-income residents., * Be at least 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident
• Willing to submit to and pass a national service background check
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

• Supportive, encouraging members to pursue professional development and providing in-house learning opportunities
• A collaborative network of individuals working to create long-term, systemic change in Wyandotte County and the broader Kansas City region
• An opportunity to reduce student loan burden or pursue future education through education awards, Our full-time, 12-month AmeriCorps VISTA positions could be right for you! Passion and general skills are needed, experience is not required; training and resources will be provided. VISTA members receive professional development and experience, but opportunities for future employment are not guaranteed. Multiple positions are available within the Unified Government’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program, and candidates may apply for more than one position., * A living allowance of $983.36 (taxable) is provided every two weeks.
• Upon completion of the 12-month term, CNCS provides a $7,395 Education Award for college loans or future education expenses. Those without loans or plans for future education can receive a smaller cash stipend of $1,800, in lieu of the Education Award.
• A housing stipend of $200 per month to go towards housing costs, such as rent.

AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits:

• Service-related mileage reimbursement (if assigned site approves)
• 80 hours vacation and 80 hours sick
• Professional development opportunities
• Relocation or settling-in allowance (if moving 50+ miles for service)
• Federal student loan forbearance and deferment
• Healthcare, childcare, and other benefits available

Deadline: Apply by November 1st, 2026 for priority consideration. The anticipated start date is December 14, 2026. All AmeriCorps VISTA service terms are 365 days; thus this opportunity is slated to be 12/14/26-12/13/27.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $25,567.36 per year

Application Question(s):

• I 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. Please respond YES or NO
• I understand this opportunity is not traditional employment but is national service. The living allowance is $957.46 (taxable) paid every two weeks and is not negotiable. Please acknowledge acceptance of this statement below. Please respond YES or NO
• I am at least 18 years of age or older. Please respond YES or NO
• I live in the KC Metro Area or am willing to relocate prior to my start of service date. Please respond YES or NO
• I can satisfy the national background check requirement. Please respond YES or NO