EnCorps: Identify Your Recruitment Needs

Understanding what you expect your members to be able to do and what they will get out of the position will help you find and evaluate candidates.

Start by identifying:

The number of members needed
The role of each member
Service dates for each member
The skills, knowledge, attitudes and aptitudes needed for each position
The opportunities and benefits a member will get through the assignment

Then use this information to create a position description that clearly identifies the tasks and responsibilities of the member. For VISTA programs, this is called the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD).

Basic requirements

As you're planning your recruitment effort, keep in mind these basic member requirements for your program.

AmeriCorps	VISTA
• Members must be at least 18 years old. (Some programs allow 17-year-olds to serve, with parental permission, or 16-year-olds if they are out of school and participating in a youth corps program.)	• VISTA members generally serve full-time for 12 months. Members must be at least 18 years old.
• Members must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Members must have a high school diploma/GED or be willing to earn one while serving. A high school diploma is required for all members serving as tutors.	• Members must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Some programs require VISTAs to have college degrees or at least three years work experience.
• Most AmeriCorps programs require members to serve a minimum number of hours (commonly 1,700 for a full-time member), participate in trainings and service projects, and successfully complete their term to be eligible for an education award.	• Members generally serve full-time for 12 months. Because they must be available to their communities regardless of regular work hours, VISTA members are also prohibited from accepting outside employment. All VISTAs attend a Pre-Service Orientation prior to enrolling, and must successfully complete their service terms to be eligible for an education award or stipend. All VISTAs must also be fingerprinted and complete a criminal history background check.
For new members, programs must conduct 1. National Sex Offender Registry check, and 2. Either a state criminal records check or FBI fingerprint check. (After October 2011, members with recurring access to children or the elderly will need all three checks.)	For new members, programs must conduct 1. National Sex Offender Registry check, and 2. Either a state criminal records check or FBI fingerprint check. (After October 2011, members with recurring access to children or the elderly will need all three checks.)
Click here for a sample of one AmeriCorps program's placement requirements and recommendations.
For new members, programs must conduct 1. National Sex Offender Registry check, and 2. Either a state criminal records check or FBI fingerprint check. (After October 2011, members with recurring access to children or the elderly will need all three checks.)	For new members, programs must conduct 1. National Sex Offender Registry check, and 2. Either a state criminal records check or FBI fingerprint check. (After October 2011, members with recurring access to children or the elderly will need all three checks.)