Join Silicon Valley HealthCorps VISTA!
The Health Trust has joined together with AmeriCorps VISTA and five local community based
organizations in San Jose, CA to form Silicon Valley HealthCorps VISTA. The goal of this
program is to expand current efforts at each of these partner organizations to increase access to
healthy foods among low-income populations and to promote long-term sustainability measures
to ensure these efforts continue long after VISTA resources end. Silicon Valley HealthCorps
VISTAs will work at our partner sites to increase the availability and affordability of fresh,
healthy food through enhancing existing food distribution models and developing capacity for
low-income residents’ to grow their own produce. Silicon Valley HealthCorps VISTA is
currently recruiting members for 2016-2017. All positions are full-time, year-long positions
beginning in August/September, with the possibility of being extended for an additional year.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•










Benefits: (https://www.vistacampus.gov/in-service/benefits-service)
Living allowance (estimated amount $18,181/year)
Housing subsidy (estimated amount $3,470/year)
Post-service education award ($5,500) or an end of year stipend ($1500)
Professional development opportunities
AmeriCorps VISTA Healthcare Allowance (healthcare supplemental reimbursement that covers
out-of-pocket costs)
Childcare benefits (up to $400/month per child)
Relocation travel assistance/settling-in allowance if moving more than 50 miles from your home
to a new community to serve
10 personal and 10 sick days
Non-competitive eligibility for employment in the federal government post service year one year
Qualifications:
Be at least 18 years old upon entering VISTA training. There is no upper age limit.
Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.
Not be listed in the National Sex Offender Registry database as having been convicted of sexrelated crimes.
A clean driving record may be required for VISTA positions that include driving a company
truck/van
Be willing to submit fingerprints for a criminal history background check.
Be in a position to offer full-time service for one year.
Be able to relate previous education, training, military, or work experience, and demonstrate
other relevant skills or interests necessary to perform a specific VISTA assignment.
Be willing, to the maximum extent practicable, to live among and at the economic level of the
low-income people served by VISTA projects.
Understand that VISTA is a full-time 12 month commitment and are required to serve an average
of 40 hours per week.
VISTAs are allowed to attend classes; however their studies must not interfere with VISTA
responsibilities. A VISTA must discuss taking classes with his/her supervisor before enrolling. If
1




classes do interfere, the VISTA may be asked to either withdraw from the course(s) within one
week or ask to end their service.
VISTAs are allowed part-time outside employment; however under no circumstances may a
VISTA member be an employee/contractor for the sponsor/project to which he/she is assigned to
or violate any applicable Federal, state, or local laws and regulations.
VISTAs cannot be subjects of legal proceedings (civil or criminal) that may consume time
needed for VISTA assignments.
VISTA service cannot be used to satisfy service requirements of parole or probation.
VISTAs must attend a 4 day Pre-Service Orientation or blended online training before beginning
their year of service.
 Tentative date of mid-August
 Cost covered by CNCS
Position Title: Second Harvest Food Bank Program Analyst
Location: Second Harvest Food Bank – 750 Curtner Ave. San Jose, CA 95125 - 2113
Service Period: August 2016 – August 2017
Description of Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB):
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties (SHFB) is a trusted leader
dedicated to ending local hunger. SHFB is one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing
food to nearly one quarter of a million people each month – one out of every 10 local
residents. SHFB is a $120 million revenue generating organization (including value of donated
food) with a $34 million cash budget. SHFB also is a highly efficient operation, with over $.95
of every $1 going to programs that feed hungry people. After opening a fresh produce facility
several years ago, SHFB is proud to distribute more fruit and vegetables than any food bank in
the U.S.
Second Harvest enjoys the trust of thousands of local donors who continue to invest in our
mission year after year. We are consistently recognized as a charity of choice from multiple
sources:
• Charity Navigator has granted SHFB a 4-star rating for eight years in a row, placing us in
the top 1% of charities nationwide.
• Readers from “Metro’s Best of Silicon Valley” voted Second Harvest as the Best
Organization Making a Difference.
• In 2012, OpportunityKnocks.org ranked Second Harvest as the top nonprofit to work for
in the country.
Company Website:
http://www.shfb.org/
Position Description:
The VISTA will support the Produce Mobile program and evaluate the program so as to make
changes that will help effectively and efficiently connect people to the nutritious food they want
and need. Additionally, the VISTA will leverage work done in the Family Harvest and Brown
Bag programs and establish a client feedback loop for Produce Mobile to better record and
respond to client feedback.
2
Primary Duties:
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of current Produce Mobile “menu” and create an
assessment report to determine whether changing the current menu would be beneficial
• Collaborate with site distribution coordinators to ensure clients’ needs are being met
• Enhance customer feedback survey to capture desired information from Produce Mobile
clients
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers to conduct client surveys
• Research current Services Database used by other Direct Service programs to determine
if it is necessary for Produce Mobiles to adopt this method of member tracking
Preferred Skills and Abilities:
• BA degree
• Strong computer proficiency, including MS Office Skills
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis preferred
• Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out activities to meet specific timelines
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work independently AND as a part of a team
Application Instructions:
To apply to the SHFB Volunteer and Resource Coordinator VISTA position, please send your
cover letter and resume to Amy Kaiser [email protected]. Please type in “Second Harvest Food
Bank Program Analyst VISTA application” in the subject line.
Applicants MUST also apply through the VISTA website.
Listing ID 68417: Service start time 8/26/2016 (after in-person training, covered by CNCS)
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=68417&fromSearch=true
Based on the interview process and CNCS screening pass, the VISTA member will attend either
of the below in-person trainings (costs covered by CNCS):
1. Registration by June 27, 2016 for the Los Angeles, California on August 1-4, 2016, or
2. Registration by July 18, 2016 for the Portland, Oregon on August 22-25, 2016
3