SAYA (South Asian Youth Action) Employment Opportunities!

1) Volunteer Coordinator (AMERICORPS* VISTA)

SCHEDULE: 30 hours per week minimum

LOCATION: Elmhurst, Queens (New York)

START DATE: July 1, 2009

Serve the Public Good and Build Your Resume with Substantive Experience at the Same Time!

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!) is seeking a dynamic AmeriCorps* VISTA member to occupy the duty of Volunteer Coordination starting in July 2009.

AmeriCorps* VISTA is the U.S. national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. AmeriCorps* VISTA membership at SAYA! will provide the right individuals with substantive experience in nonprofit management, marketing and capacity-building. This is a tremendous opportunity to gain professional skills, contacts in the field of nonprofit management and to make a direct and measurable impact on a fast-growing nonprofit organization that serves low-income youth.

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!) is New York City's only youth development organization with the cultural competencies to address the needs and concerns of South Asian youth. SAYA! conducts its youth programming out of its Elmhurst youth center, as well as under-performing public schools with large South Asian populations throughout Queens. SAYA!'s programs includes academic counseling and tutoring; SAT and college preparation; young women's leadership development; co-ed community organizing and leadership development; mental health and truancy counseling; and sports, arts and recreational programming. We are a dynamic 12-year old organization, and are growing rapidly - check us out at www.saya.org!

Qualified candidate for the Volunteer Coordination AmeriCorps* VISTA position will have the opportunity to work in volunteer recruitment, and retention. The individual will be working with various site coordinators and will report directly to the Program Director. The member will be responsible for a wide variety of duties and tasks including:

Coordination/Management of volunteer recruitment/retention

Maintenance of regional, public list of volunteer programs/organizations across different work areas

Communication with committees/schools/organizations

Establishing relationships with external volunteer agencies

Recruit, interview, and hire volunteer staff to assist with projects and programs

Being the first personal point of contact for those inquiring for volunteering

Collection/Documentation of volunteer procedures, guidelines, and strategies

Management of volunteers, documentation, and work processes

Ideal candidate would be interested in nonprofit organizations, the South Asian community, volunteer coordination and management. The individual should be able to work in a fast-paced environment, exercise excellent managerial skills; solid problem solving, and critical thinking skills; candidate must be knowledgeable of recruiting functions and strategies.

Salary and Benefits

AmeriCorps*VISTA Members will receive a living allowance of $1,129 per month, for a total of $13,548 during the year of service. Federal income tax is withheld. State and local taxes are not withheld and are the responsibility of the member.

There is also an opportunity to earn an Education Award (to pay off eligible student loans or to pay for qualified future educational costs) or a cash stipend at the end of a complete one-year term of membership. 10 days of personal leave time over the course of the year after the first three months of service. A monthly, unlimited New York City MetroCard is also provided for each month of service.

Health insurance coverage is provided. Coverage is for members only and begins on the first day of training and ends on the date of completion of service. Coverage is not available for dependents or spouses under this plan.

AmeriCorps* VISTA Member Eligibility Criteria

There are seven basic standards which qualify an applicant for service:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older upon entering AmeriCorps*VISTA placement.

2. Must be a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien.

3. Must take an oath of office upon enrollment into service.

4. Must be in a position to offer full-time service for a period of one year without regard to regular working hours.

5. To the maximum extent practicable, must be willing to live among, and at the economic level of, the people served.

6. Must complete the entire PSO (Pre Service Orientation) in Philadelphia in order to become an AmeriCorps*VISTA (for which travel costs are covered by AmeriCorps)

7. Must be able to perform at the level specified of the AmeriCorps*VISTA assignment.

Please send resume with cover letter to saya@saya.org.

2) Academic and Career Program Manager OR Program Coordinator F/T

Position Summary: The Academic and Career Prep Program Manager/Coordinator is responsible for the overall management and supervision of one of SAYA!'s core programming. SAYA!'s academic services are designed to ensure the academic success and college admittance of South Asian youth. The Manager will be responsible for the overall development, implementation, coordination, management, and evaluation of all academic activities/services that SAYA! provides. The Academic activities include SAT preparation, Regents preparation, tutoring, college counseling, and ESL Peer tutoring. SAYA!'s Career Preparation program is designed to help youth find meaningful, first-time summer and school-year internships and jobs. SAYA! provides these services to students 11-19 at the its Center in Elmhurst, Queens, serving 200 youth annually. The Program Manger will be supervising and managing part-time staff, tutors, and program volunteers including peer tutors.

Supervisor: Program Director

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop program plans/designs for all academic and employment readiness programs.

Working closely with local public schools and the community to recruit and enroll participants, ensuring maximum enrollment targets.

Establish rapport with youth and provide mentoring, guidance and overall direction for their academic and career preparation.

Recruit and manage program volunteers; develop and maintain a volunteer database for SAYA!

Work with school administrators to track progress of referred students; advocate on behalf of students when needed.

Develop relationships with local businesses/potential employers to access summer and year long jobs for youth.

Develop relationships with college admissions counselors.

Maintain documentation of program activities and outcomes; submit timely program reports.

Maintain SAYA!'s youth participation data base, ensure weekly updates.

Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff and volunteers.

Prepare program summaries and documents for grant proposals.

Work with Program Director to prepare grant reports.

Conduct periodic evaluation of programs and services ensuring high quality.

Other duties as assigned.

Assist in the daily operations and coordination of the center, drop-in youth, and program interns.

Other duties as assigned.

Core Qualifications:

Bachelor degree and experience in relevant field (Education, Social Work, and Youth Development) required; Masters degree preferred.

Knowledge of the NYC public school system and the college admission process.

Knowledge of curriculum development for academic and job readiness programs.

Excellent organizational skills: attention to detail; ability to prioritize; ability to meet deadlines; ability to multi-task.

Proven commitment to social change and/or youth development and understanding of issues facing South Asian youth in the US

Highly-organized and self-motivated

Ability to work with and in teams

Bilingual in a South Asian language is a major plus

Administrative and supervisory experience is a major plus.

Compensation: Competitive non-profit salary, with full health benefits and 20 days vacation.

All interested candidates are requested to send their resumes and cover letters to Wida Amir at wida@saya.org or by fax at 718-651-3480. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Position available immediately. No phone calls please! SAYA! is an Equal Opportunity Employer.