ABOUT CRITICAL EXPOSURE
Critical Exposure works with youth to use visual storytelling to document issues they face and run campaigns to make changes in their schools and communities. Through partnerships with schools and community-based organizations, we’re developing a generation of civic leaders who have:
The tools to express themselves.
The creativity to imagine new solutions to old problems.
The belief that youth have the right and ability to fight for those solutions.
The skills to hold communities and public officials accountable.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Critical Exposure is hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA to join our Program Team.[*] The VISTA will work closely with our Program Manager and Educators to increase the organization’s capacity to develop effective youth leaders and to expand and deepen our relationships with D.C. schools and other program sites.
In order for long-term, structural change to take place, we believe those impacted most directly by an issue must be the ones who lead the fight for solutions. Our program staff work to develop the leadership capacities of young people so they can work collectively to effect change around an issue of injustice impacting them. Critical Exposure is not an organization that provides social services to youth or advocates on behalf of youth. Applicants should understand the difference between providing direct services to youth and developing young people as agents of social change.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Training & Curriculum
Improve Critical Exposure’s lesson plans by introducing new visual resources, with a focus on the experiences of youth in D.C. and various learning styles.
Improve Critical Exposure’s ability to connect youth to training opportunities outside of our organization
Research and implement plans for guest facilitators and local field trips to photography, social justice, and U.S. history museums, galleries, events, etc.
Digitally curate youth photographs, including assisting with photo selection for program related exhibits
Contribute to the development of evaluation materials and data collection.
Youth Support & Recruitment
Develop and strengthen Critical Exposure’s relationships with organizations and community leaders who can help us increase our ability to provide our programs to those underserved youth who need it most, particularly in Wards 7 and 8
Strengthen relationships with partner schools, youth programs, and local and national organizing and advocacy group.
Support development of new channels for recruiting youth into CE programs
Work to improve our ability to connect our youth to high-quality support services to help meet needs outside the scope of Critical Exposure’s programs and capacity.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with Black youth, youth of color and/or low-income youth (ideally 14-21 years old).
Comfortable leading trainings and facilitating workshops.
Strong social justice analysis and understanding of campaign/movement-building strategies.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a broad range of people.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
The following are skills preferred, but not required:
Full Spanish Language Proficiency.
Photography skills and knowledge.
Advocacy and/or organizing campaign experience.
Educational justice knowledge or involvement.
Multimedia skills – Final Cut Pro, DSLR videography.
We are looking for candidates with the following characteristics:
Strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, with attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to recognize opportunities to strengthen the way the organization operates and to create systems to address those needs.
Eagerness to contribute talents and commitment to develop new strengths.
Ability to work collaboratively in pairs and as part of a small team.
Ability to be self-directed and motivated on multiple projects simultaneously.
Sense of humor, creativity and playfulness.
Candidates will also have passion for, and commitment to:
Developing the power and agency of DC youth to be community leaders effecting social change.
Undoing internalized, interpersonal, and institutionalized forms of oppression.
Using photography and the arts as effective organizing tools to compel decision-makers to take action.
Making public schools and communities accountable to youth.
Incorporating civic engagement and youth organizing as key facets of positive youth development.
COMPENSATION
Americorps VISTA provides a living allowance of $15,950*, received in bi-weekly payments. VISTA members successfully complete a term of service are also eligible to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,775* to pay for college or to pay off student loans, or an end-of-service cash stipend of $1,500*. There are other benefits associated with AmeriCorps, including travel stipends and limited health coverage. The position is a year-long, full-time commitment with a strongly encouraged, although not guaranteed, second-year extension opportunity.
[*]Living Allowance and End of Service amounts are based on Americorps VISTA levels from FY15
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to hiring@criticalexposure.org by June 13th. In the subject line of your email, please note that you are applying for a “Program VISTA” position. No phone calls, please.
If you are not already registered through the AmeriCorps VISTA Program, we will provide further details on that process once your application is in full consideration for the position.