NATURE OF WORK

This is a position with a very high degree of independence and responsibility for providing membership and development support for an innovative community based elder care program in Central Vermont called REACH: Rural Elder Assistance for Care and Health. Under the direct supervision of the ORE/REACH Coordinator, this position is largely responsible for providing support and serving as a liaison for ORE/REACH members, coordinating membership and fundraising events and assisting with grant applications.

Within the first year of the project, the position will be transferred to the Onion River Exchange (ORE), a non-profit organization founded in 2008 to allow community members to make exchanges of time and services without using money. The Membership and Development Specialist will serve as a team member with the staff and volunteers of the Onion River Exchange, which includes a Coordinator, a Case Manager, and a VISTA volunteer. The responsibilities of the position include:

1. Design and run member orientations and trainings
2. Monitor and evaluate exchanges between members
3. Develop and update member handbook
4. Recruit and train new members
5. Coordinate and staff member outreach events
6. Manage fundraising events
7. Public outreach and event coordination
8. Fundraising and grant writing
9. Web site development
10. Other responsibilities as assigned

This is a new program, and a new organization. Funding for the position is provided through a grant from the federal government, not by the City of Montpelier. We anticipate three years of funding, after which time we hope that the revenues generated by the program will continue to support the staff. Applicants must be ready to cope with all the growing pains of a young organization and must be very motivated to make the program a success.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

  Membership Activity

• Recruit new members, serve as a liaison for members, monitor quality, frequency and efficacy of exchanges, help build and promote exchange opportunities, develop and establish member support systems and activities. Schedule and coordinate membership events.

  Development Activities

• Coordinate with the ORE-REACH Coordinator to draft and submit grant applications to support the activities of the Onion River Exchange and the REACH project.
• Organize fundraising events and activities.
• Track memberships and insure sustainable donations.

  OTHER DUTIES

• Maintain lines of communication among and collaborate with other staff.
• Assist in developing application forms, instructions, and other materials, including Internet and Web-based devices, to assist applicants or citizens seeking information concerning the Onion River Exchange and the REACH program
• Assist the support staff in maintaining appropriate records and files and assuming clerical duties as necessary in order to meet obligations.
• Assist citizens seeking information whenever possible.

  DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY AND SKILLS

• A bachelor’s degree in human services, community development, public administration, or related field and a minimum of five years’ experience in program administration, community development, or public management. Qualified experience may be substituted for college degree.
• Thorough knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to initiate and perform extremely detailed work with little supervision.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, to maintain multiple tasks and deadlines and to have excellent time management skills.
• A minimum of five year’s direct experience with training and/or development responsibilities.
• Ability and willingness to learn and apply oneself to the job.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, to maintain multiple tasks and deadlines, to perform extremely detailed work with little supervision, and to manage time effectively.
• Proficiency with computers, including word processing, data base management, the Internet, and other technologies, as well as an aptitude to learn new applications in order to accomplish various tasks.
• Ability to interact with the public with courtesy, tact, objectiveness, fairness, and compassion.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend meetings.

  OTHER
The Membership and Development Specialist is a professional, salaried position. The Onion River Exchange offers a benefits package which includes health and dental care, leave policies, and more. Salary will be in the $30s, commensurate with experience. Applications will be reviewed starting February 8, 2010. The City of Montpelier and the Onion River Exchange are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers.
For more information about the Onion River Exchange visit: www.orexchange.org

  TO APPLY:
Send a resume, cover letter, and three references to:
Graham Dewyea, Coordinator
Onion River Exchange
Department of Planning and Community Development
City Hall, 39 Main St.
Montpelier, VT 05602
graham@orexchange.org