SerVermont - Otter Valley Union AmeriCorps VISTA

Otter Valley Union Middle and High School (OV) exists in the town of Brandon, at the northern end of Rutland County, serving the 6 surrounding towns and approximately 520 students in grades 7 through 12. OV students are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to be successful and contributing citizens of a global society by way of the resources invested by the communities. In other words, OV’s mission is to prepare students to be ready to take on the challenges of the world once they graduate. OV offers a variety of programming, from college prep courses to outdoor education, theater, and Tech Ed. However, even with historically strong community support, we lack cohesion in connecting our students with opportunities that directly prepare them for what is to come after graduation. Even with options for students to partake in career preparation courses, hands-on options at both the school and local CTE centers, internships, and work-based learning, there is still more work to be done. OV is a key support in the lives of many of our students. As a smaller rural district we are integral to the daily support of many of our students, working to alleviate the issues that come along with poverty. No place is this seen as in our student's lunch program with 42% of our students would qualify for free and reduced lunch. Along with this, OV works to meet the needs of our students in many other ways. We offer college planning resources, work-based learning, after-school activities and transportation to and from school. These are tools that we use to work to break the cycles of poverty to help our students turn their focus to their education which in turn will lead to them pursuing post-graduate opportunities such as apprenticeship, college, technical school and the military. This will lead OV graduates to high-wage, high-growth jobs through these supports so as to ultimately disrupt generational poverty and provide a bright future. Member Duties : The OV VISTA will create programs, connections and opportunities that bridge the gap between current offerings/resources and the needs of students and community partners: 1. Build opportunities during the school day, after school, and over the summer for students to connect hands opportunities to career readiness 2. Create options for students to access the nascent makerspace/innovation space to connect learning in all classes to hands-on and industry-based skills and knowledge. 3. Build safety training for staff 4. Recruiting, organizing, and managing community volunteers. 5. Supporting and growing student opportunities in work-based learning, internships, career exploration, field trips, and community collaboration. 6. Help plan the annual career day. 7. Create and maintain online resources and information for the programs offered Building opportunities for students will fundamentally help combat poverty by helping students find pathways to high wage and high growth jobs. Program Benefits : Education award upon successful completion of service , Training , Living Allowance , Childcare assistance if eligible , Health Coverage* , Relocation Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend . *For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits. Terms : Permits attendance at school during off hours , Car recommended , Permits working at another job during off hours . Service Areas : Education , Technology , Community Outreach , Children/Youth . Skills : Recruitment , Leadership , Team Work , Youth Development , Trade/Construction . SUMMARY Program Type: AmeriCorps VISTA Program SerVermont - Otter Valley Union VISTA Program Start/End Date:08/11/2025 - 08/10/2026 Work ScheduleFull Time Education level: High school diploma/GED Age Requirement: Minimum: 18 Maximum: None Program LocationsVERMONT Accepting Applications: From 03/15/2025 To 07/01/2025 ContactPerrier Perrier 2997 Franklin St Brandon VT 05733 8025856835 caitlin.perrier@vermont.gov Listing ID126112