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 Development & Communications Team.[*] The AmeriCorps VISTA position is one-year service position that will work closely with our Development & Communications Director and AmeriCorps VISTA Communications Associate to build Critical Exposure’s capacity to share our work with youth and stakeholders. The Exhibits & Operations VISTA will contribute to establishing and implementing exhibits of youth photography and smaller scale fundraising activities. This position will also focus on streamlining and enhancing our internal operations.
The Exhibits & Operations VISTA will have the opportunity to take on significant responsibility, be an integral part of supporting and strengthening the organization’s growth and operations, and have the opportunity to work closely with Critical Exposure’s staff members. This is not an organization that provides social services to youth or advocates on behalf of youth. Applicants should understand the difference between organizations that provide direct services to youth and those that support youth to lead their own organizing campaigns.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Exhibits & Events
Provide leadership for the development and execution of our main annual fall fundraiser and spring youth photography exhibit.
Develop strategies to increase visibility of youth photography and campaign work and Critical Exposure’s ability to engage a wider, more diverse audience with young people’s photography and campaign work
Create innovative photography exhibits and secure new non-traditional exhibit settings
Create a well-organized inventory system and process for managing our photography archive, both print and online.
Support Program staff and youth to plan and implement exhibits and events.
Operations
Provide leadership for improving internal organizational operations to increase the long-term capacity of Critical Exposure.
Develop & Implement donor cultivation and recognition processes.
Support transition to, and implementation of, new expense coding system and support staff training and orientation around new systems.
Develop plan for outsourcing activities to our external consultants and serve as liaison in the transition of those activities and as the point person for our external bookkeeper/HR consultant and auditor.
Streamline general operations including coordinating board meetings, developing filing systems, and strengthening internal communications with facilities staff and management.
QUALIFICATIONS
Excellent creative skills and a strong visual design sense.
Ability to coordinate the planning and execution of events
Ability to write, proofread and edit effectively for a range of audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a broad range of people.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong social justice analysis and understanding of campaigns/movement-building.
The following are skills preferred, but not required:
Exhibit curation and installation experience.
Full Spanish Language Proficiency.
Photography skills and knowledge.
Multimedia skills (i.e. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, DSLR videography).
Educational justice knowledge or involvement.
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.
Using photography and the arts as effective organizing tools to compel decision-makers to take action.
Practicing values of accountability, transparency, and cooperation.
Undoing internalized, interpersonal, and institutionalized forms of oppression.
COMPENSATION
Americorps VISTA provides a living allowance of $15,950*, received in bi-weekly payments. VISTA members who 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 20th. In the subject line of your email, please note that you are applying for a “Exhibit & Operations VISTA” position. No phone calls, please.
For applications we’d like to consider further we will send supplemental application questions that candidates should complete and return to us within 3 days of receipt. We expect to fill the position by July 8th.
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.
People of color and people from D.C. are strongly encouraged to apply.