Coconino County Community Services Department (CCCSD)

Assignment Title: Program Assistant, Part-time, 900 hrs.

Location: 2625 N. King St. Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Website:  www.coconino.az.gov/comsvcs

The Coconino County Community Services Department (CCCSD) is the county’s designated Community Action Agency, locally leading the fight against poverty. In spring 2007, CCCSD launched Basic Business Empowerment (BBE), an Assets for Independence program providing micro-business training and Individual Development Account (IDA) match savings grants for micro-business capitalization, primarily to socio-economically disadvantaged community members. In summer 2008, CCCSD became the coordinating agency for the Northern Arizona Native American Culture Trail (NANACT) project. NANACT is a collaborative effort connecting regional visitors/tourists with Native American culture, and assisting Native American economic development by helping Native artisans to better market and sell their arts and crafts.

This AmeriCorps service assignment assists low-income / low-asset potential and existing micro-entrepreneurs participating in BBE and/or NANACT entrepreneurship skill development.

AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities:

1. Pertaining to both the Basic Business Empowerment (BBE) and Northern Arizona Native American Culture Trail (NANACT) programs, the member will assist with recruitment of participants and their micro-business operation skill development, including establishment of liaison and collaboration with community organizations planners and developers necessary fulfill said duties. (Maintaining clear and regular communication with collaborators will be critical for project success.)

2. Develop and maintain program participant management system, including any spreadsheets, manuals, or other tools for surveying, tracking, and managing participants.

3. May assist as needed with development and enhancement to BBE and/or NANACT Web pages, “Trails” maps, or other marketing support materials, including, but not limited to researching entrepreneurship skills, local Native American culture and history, interviewing participants, and assisting with graphic design.

4. May assist with BBE and NANACT micro-business trainings and financial education classes, including helping with recruitment, facilitation, and facility reservation, set-up, and clean-up.

5. Assist CCCSD staff with other related economic development efforts as necessary.

AmeriCorps Member Qualifications:

1. The candidate needs to be a self-starter, with strong attention to detail, coordination and customer service skills.

2. A good communicator verbally and in writing with the ability to work respectfully and effectively with others from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and age groups.

3. Ability to develop and maintain records and participant files and to use these to create and submit detailed reports for funders and program partners. Related computer skills needed, include: report writing word processing (MS Word), data entry and spreadsheets (MS Excel), and communication (MS Outlook).

4. Having a driver’s license is preferred.

5. Interest in and knowledge of small business and Native American culture and artisan skills could be helpful.

6. Occasional flexibility and availability on Saturday or evenings could be helpful.

7. Interest, education, and/or experience in small business management, accounting, website development, public relations, and/or business marketing/communications/media could be helpful.

8. Bilingual abilities (English and Navajo and/or Hopi) could be helpful.
 

Back