Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced that the City will be seeking three qualified AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) members to support the new, innovative service initiatives that will comprise servePGH. ServePGH, to be launched by the Mayor in late March, will be a comprehensive, citywide blueprint for using organized volunteers to address the City’s greatest needs.

“In these difficult economic times, service is more important now than ever,” said Ravenstahl. “The welcomed assistance of dedicated AmeriCorps VISTA members will ensure the success of the City’s renewed focus on volunteer and service opportunities. The health of our communities depends upon engaging citizens addressing the most difficult needs of our neighborhoods and of our youths.”

The positions were made possible through a successful application to the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) AmeriCorps VISTA program, and VISTA members will commit to serve full-time for one year. The VISTAs will be based in the Office of the Mayor, and will have the unique opportunity to gain professional experience in City government; community organizing; cross sector partnership building; neighborhood revitalization and youth development.

“VISTA members will work with the City’s Chief Service Officer to honor the commitment I was proud to make on September 10, 2009 when I signed on as a member of the Cities of Service coalition and committed the City to engaging more residents in community service and harnessing the power of volunteers as a serious strategy to address Pittsburgh’s most pressing challenges,” said Ravenstahl.

Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, strong written and oral presentation skills, experience in project management, and commitment to collaboration and problem solving.  A basic living allowance of $891/mo, a $5,550 education award or a $1,500 end-of-service stipend upon completion of a year of service, and basic health coverage is provided by the CNCS.

To view additional requirements and to find out how to become an AmeriCorps VISTA, click here. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2011.

About Cities of Service
Mayor Ravenstahl is a founding member of Cities of Service, a bipartisan coalition of more than 100 mayors from across the country dedicated to engaging more Americans in community service and harnessing the power of volunteers as a serious strategy to address local challenges. Founded in New York City, the coalition and its member cities respond to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act's historic call to action by finding new and innovative ways to harness the power of volunteers to help solve pressing local challenges.

About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, with the ultimate goal to eliminate poverty in the United States. In Pennsylvania, there are currently over 200 VISTAs serving on 30 projects.