AmeriCorps Positions - Mentoring & Academic Support for low income students

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The Portland Housing Authority (PHA) has one full time AmeriCorps member position available to coordinate one of our drop in, neighborhood based, educational & aspirational support programs. Position start date ASAP, end date August 19th, 2021.

AmeriCorps members are contracted, full time volunteers who serve 35-40 hours per week for 11-12 months to hit a minimum of 1700 hours.

AmeriCorps Member Benefits:

• Stipend of $14,279 evenly divided over the course of the term
• $6,195 education award upon successful completion of service
• Education award can be used to pay off qualified student loans (Stafford, Perkins & Some private loans - you must call lender to ask) or for future educational expenses at Title IV schools
• Forbearance of federally qualified student loans during service term (interest accrued while serving is paid by AmeriCorps)
• Health Benefits
• Child Care Reimbursement (if income eligible)
• Networking/professional development
• Mileage reimbursement to AmeriCorps sponsored training events
• Mileage reimbursement for project/site related travel consistent with staff reimbursement at the site
• Usually eligible for Food Stamps (SNAP)

AmeriCorps members coordinate mentoring programs in Study Centers in family public housing developments around Portland. The Study Centers have been open for over 29 years and serve students of all ages and cultures. The primary focus of the centers from September to June is academic support and post-secondary guidance. The secondary focus of the centers is to meet the social and emotional needs of the youth which may include distributing snacks, emotional well-being check ins, addressing behavior with families, games, structured activities, field trips, and celebrations. Each center is co-run by the AmeriCorps volunteer and a staff member who work together to create a positive, productive and safe environment for the students and community members to study, research, supplement their education and find college and job opportunities. During the summer, AmeriCorps members run free lunch and youth leadership & job skills development programs.

Prospective applicants who are interested in teaching, youth leadership development, mentoring, or the success and support of the Portland multicultural population are particularly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

• Comfort serving ELL (English Language Learning) Students and general cultural competency
• Self-motivated with a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and independence
• Ability to clearly and concisely communicate orally and in writing
• Excellent organizational skills
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred but not required
• Prior volunteer or service experience preferred
• Dedication to the mission of AmeriCorps
• Ability to use various types of technology (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Google Classroom, Google Drive, on-line reporting systems, etc.)
• Able to serve evenings and occasional weekends
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of community resources preferred

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a mentor for a portfolio of at-risk students
• Implement Social Emotional Learning Practices into programming and mentorship
• Develop and maintain contact with students’ parents, teachers, counselors and/or referral partners
• Create a structure for extended learning opportunities and expanded career awareness
• Coordinate, facilitate, and participate in meetings and professional development opportunities with organization staff, partners, and AmeriCorps program
• Adhere to CDC guidelines and Governor's Orders as a response to COVID-19
• Coordinate and participate in a variety of projects, including service projects, collaborations, and volunteer recruitment and management
• Personal transportation
• Quantitative & qualitative reporting
• Daily upkeep of space including regularly sanitizing surfaces
• Develop and maintain digital outreach and engagement methods.
• Door-to-door outreach and communication with residents.
• Support on site food security work and initiatives to address the effects of COVID-19 on low-income residents.
• Flexibility with changing plans from the Maine CDC and the Portland Public Schools.
• Creative problem solving
• Program development and implementation

Participate in the following Intensive Interventions:

• Mentor Program Coordination
• Academic Support Program Coordination
• Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordination
• Aspirations Support
• School Skills Support Coordination
• Parent/Guardian Engagement

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
We require masks to be worn at all times by all and will be limiting program participation for safe distancing. We will also be expanding remote options for youth to get academic support through Google Suite, Zoom, and other platforms.

Experience:

• youth programming (work or volunteer): 2 years (Preferred)

Work Remotely:

• No