Commonwealth Corps Enrichment Resource Specialist

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POSITION: COMMONWEALTH CORPS EDUCATION ENRICHMENT SPECIALIST

The mission of the Commonwealth Corps is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in service to strengthen communities, address unmet community needs, and increase volunteerism.

Commonwealth Corps members who hold a service position with the African Community Education Program will serve 10.5 months in a full-time capacity and will receive the Commonwealth Corps stipend and benefits. What they have in common is a desire to put their talents and ideas to use in the service of their communities and the Commonwealth.

Program Description:

The African Community Education (ACE) Program is a nonprofit community organization that was established to address the educational challenges that African youth and their families face when they come to Worcester, MA. ACE focuses its attention on recent immigrants and refugees, especially those coming from countries of conflict. Many children who come from these unfortunate backgrounds have gaps in their education because they were not able to go to school for a number of years or because their schooling was inadequate. ACE provides comprehensive academic and non-academic services during after-school and out-of school time to meet our students educational and psychosocial needs while using culturally competent models and addressing common barriers to participation.

Commonwealth Corps Project:

This project is aimed at building capacity within our weekday After School Program and Saturday Program in order to improve student outcomes in the area of Education. The ACE After School Program provides students with tutoring, homework assistance, and enrichment activities Monday-Thursday from 3:00-6:00pm. This position will provide direct service to students within the After School Program by serving as a tutor once per week. This position will build capacity at both the After School Program and Saturday Program through: the development of Enrichment Kits to be used by students, volunteers and staff; the development and implementation of a student recognition plan; and the development and implementation of monthly ACE Program Newsletters for our students and families. The Enrichment Resource Specialist will partner with the other Commonwealth Corps member, the Volunteer Specialist, to provide training and support to volunteers using the Enrichment Kits, ensure that the student recognition plan complements the volunteer recognition plan, and to produce the Video Newsletters for our families.

Responsibilities:

Essential

• Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of service, serving through June 25, 2016.
• Attend all required Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA and African Community Education Program, including a new member orientation on August 13 & 14, 2015.
• Participate in a minimum of 1 hour of MSA-related activities each week (in person or virtually).
• Implement 20 Individual Student Success Plans (ISSPs in accordance with the ISSP Implementation Process Guide)
• Create and maintain educational Enrichment Kits to be used by students, staff, and volunteers in the After School and Saturday Programs
• Develop and manage a student recognition plan
• Design and produce monthly ACE Program newsletters sent home to engage students and families
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Specialist to implement ISSPs, train and support volunteers using Enrichment Kits, and produce Video Newsletters
• Serve as a tutor within the After School Program for 4 hours/week.

Marginal

• Develop partnerships with relevant organizations in order to provide expertise and resources
• Attend and engage students, families, volunteers, and community members at ACE’s special events

Qualifications:

Required

• Massachusetts residency and legal authorization to work in the United States
• 18 years of age or older
• Experience with or interest in volunteerism and community engagement
• Ability to balance service commitment with other family/work/school/community commitments in a sustainable way
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and computer proficiency
• Experience with, or interest in, serving with youth
• Appreciation for cultural diversity
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferred

• Familiarity with African culture
• Experience working or volunteering with an immigrant or refugee population
• Self-directed and able to manage time effectively
• Experience working or volunteering in a collaborative, fast-paced office setting

Member Benefits:

• Stipend of $478.26 every other week while in service, up to $11,000, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Health insurance (individual coverage only);
• Completion award of up to $2,000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Training and other professional development opportunities;
• Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities;
• Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies;
• The opportunity for at least 10 days of planned absences (may include holidays); and
• Opportunity to join with others with a common sense of purpose as part of the Commonwealth Corps.

Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits.

Term of Service:

• Position Start Date: August 13, 2015
• Position End Date: June 25, 2016
• Service commitment will average 38-40 hours per week during the following days/times: Monday through Saturday, 8am to 6pm.
• Must be available to serve from one day per week 3-6pm, Monday-Thursday
• Remaining hours may be flexible

TO APPLY: Please submit all application materials together, including:

• A cover letter
• Your updated resume
• The ACE general application form (found at www.acechildren.org, under the 'Get Involved’ drop down menu click 'Employment and Service Opportunities’ and a link to the application form is at the top of the page)

Materials should be sent to Brianna Mirabile at bmirabile@acechildren.org. Applications are due no later than August 2, 2015 and interviews will begin promptly after the deadline. Please include your availability for an interview in your cover letter. Only complete applications will be considered.