Special Events Development VISTA - 2025-26

Special Events Development VISTA

For one year, get paid to build sustainable solutions in a community, gain valuable hands-on experience and prepare for your future. This full-time AmeriCorps service position offers a great opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of others while building your own knowledge and skillset.

AmeriCorps VISTA members are Volunteers in Service to America who perform indirect service to build capacity and sustainable solutions.

What will you do?

The AmeriCorps VISTA Special Events Development Coordinator will work with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland's development team to support event coordination and programming for special events and volunteer engagement events. The VISTA member will create, document, and implement new projects or systems to coordinate event logistics and acquisition of materials, to increase the number of event attendees and supporters, while expanding Habitat's reach and strengthening brand awareness. Develop sustainable systems or programs that will address the needs of the local Habitat.

• Research related programs, procedures, and resources that are currently in place to identify best practices and any additional needs the project requires. Document research and communicate findings to move forward with developing a new or enhanced project or system.
• Based on the information gathered, determine the scope, goals, objectives, timeline and milestones for a project or system that addresses the needs of the host site.
• Implement the new or improved systems and projects. Assist the host site in testing, evaluating, and revising the various parts of the project as needed to ensure success.
• Ensure that the systems and projects developed are sustainable, continuing at the host site after the completion of the VISTA term, by developing manuals and training staff members and volunteers on the new project.

This position will focus on brand management aspects of Habitat affiliate operations.

Where will you serve?

• Organization name: Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland
• Nearest metropolitan area: Washington D.C.
• Full-time staff: 20
• Expected number of AmeriCorps members: 2
• Number of homes to be built: 50
• Activities and attractions: Silver Spring, MD, offers a prime location for exploring the vibrant attractions of the D.C. area. Just a short trip away, visitors can enjoy the Smithsonian museums, tour the White House, or stroll Georgetown's historic streets. Sports fans can catch a game at Nationals Park or Capital One Arena, while thrill-seekers can head to Six Flags or Kings Dominion for rollercoaster excitement. National Harbor, with its waterfront views and entertainment, rounds out the adventure.
• Unique projects: The VISTA member will be part of the development team and will support all annual events including 2 major events in the spring and two in the fall.

When will you serve?

Start dates are flexible and based on this location's availability. Talk to the hiring manager for this position about start dates during your interview process. The start date will be 4-6 weeks from receiving an offer and no earlier than August 2025.

Benefits of AmeriCorps service

• Living allowance of $27,886.04 for one year of service.
• Segal Education Award of $7,395 (lifetime maximum of two full education awards) OR end-of-service cash stipend of approximately $1,800, upon successful completion of service.
• Forbearance for most federally-guaranteed student loans.
• Health care benefits and enrollment in Employee Assistance Plan.
• 10 personal and 10 medical leave days.
• Personal and professional development opportunities.
• Child care benefits, if you qualify.
• Noncompetitive eligibility status for federal employment for one year after successful completion of service.
• Relocation assistance: Mileage and a $750 settling in allowance for members relocating more than 50 miles to serve.

Supplemental Benefits

• Housing stipend paid directly to your landlord ($700 per month)

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens or is a person residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status. Applicants must be at least 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED.

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidates:

• Are passionate about serving the community through direct service.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background.
• Desire to gain hands-on experience in the affordable housing and nonprofit sector.
• Have experience working on a team.
• Possess stellar interpersonal communication skills.
• Are motivated and committed to serve full time and in person.