AmeriCorps Member Service Opportunity

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Description

The Public Interest Law Center is seeking applications for an AmeriCorps Member. The Law Center is a host site of the Arc of Philadelphia’s AmeriCorpsAbility Program, which focuses on inclusion services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the areas of economic opportunity and healthy futures. The AmeriCorps member will advance economic opportunity for people with disabilities by providing information to young adults and their parents about legally required transition services-a coordinated set of activities that promote movement from school to post-school activities such as post-secondary education, vocational training, employment, adult services, independent living and community participation-and other laws pertaining to employment of young people with disabilities.

The position provides an opportunity for individuals interested in public interest law to become deeply involved in the Law Center’s mission of using high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. This work will involve organizing and presenting know-your-rights sessions directly to young people with disabilities and their families throughout the City of Philadelphia; and helping families one-on-one advocate for legally required transition services.

The specific responsibilities are found here. The AmeriCorps Member will be expected to understand and agree to refrain from the AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities.

The AmeriCorps Member reports directly to the Staff Attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow and works in close collaboration with Law Center lawyers and staff.

We seek an individual with strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills; familiarity with or strong desire for working with people with disabilities and their families; the ability to learn new material and work with diverse communities; strong communication and teaching skills. Fluency in Spanish highly desirable. Some college is the minimum required but a BA/BS is preferred. Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint are required.

The service opportunity is full time and is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The full time service opportunity requires a member service agreement for one year with the following benefits:

• a living stipend of approximately $450 every two weeks
• health benefits for uninsured full time AmeriCorps members
• childcare assistance, if eligible
• professional development and training
• experience with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• required uniforms provided
• student loan forbearance and interest payments, if member qualifies
• an education award of approximately $5,800 and alumni association membership for successful completion of the member service agreement’s term of service

The Public Interest Law Center does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

AmeriCorps Member Service Description Substantive Work

The AmeriCorps member will advance economic opportunity for people with disabilities by providing information to young adults and their parents about legally required transition services-a coordinated set of activities that promote movement from school to post-school activities such as post-secondary education, vocational training, employment, adult services, independent living and community participation-and other laws pertaining to employment of young people with disabilities. This work will involve organizing and presenting know-your-rights sessions directly to young people with disabilities and their families throughout the City of Philadelphia; and helping families one-on-one advocate for legally required transition services.

Specific Responsibilities will include: Substantive Responsibilities

1. Community engagement and education through flyers, social media, and attending events;
2. Relationship building with families seeking transition supports for their eligible children and the organizations that serve them;
3. Provide communications and outreach support (such as preparing and circulating announcements; setting up speaking engagements; and following-up with families seeking services) to attorneys working on employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities;
4. Work with attorneys to prepare educational content and conduct know-your-rights presentations for individuals with disabilities and their families and support networks;
5. Participate in local and regional coalition meetings;
6. Connect individuals and community groups with needed outside resources to achieve strategic objectives;
7. Research and identify resources and trainings for the purpose of enhancing pre-employment and post-employment opportunities

Organizational Development

1. Under the supervision of attorneys, the AmeriCorps Member will develop and write materials relevant to the Law Center’s economic opportunity work for internal newsletters and social media.
2. The AmeriCorps Member is expected to participate in weekly staff meetings and organizational events.

The AmeriCorps Service position is a full time opportunity for individuals interested in public interest law. The Member reports directly to Staff Attorney Lee Awbrey and Equal Justice Fellow Darlene Hemereka. The Member will be expected to adhere to the restrictions in the AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities.

For more information: www.pubintlaw.org

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How To Apply

To apply, submit: a letter of interest with the applicant’s e-mail and phone contact information and with the subject heading "Public Interest Law Center AmeriCorps Member Position" and two written paragraphs on why the applicant is interested in serving as an AmeriCorps member at the Law Center; a resume; and a list of three (3) references with contact information for each reference. Applicants should submit these materials by e-mail or mail to both:

Latrice Brooks
Public Interest Law Center
United Way Building
1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
lbrooks@pubintlaw.org

AND

Sabra Townsend
The Arc of Philadelphia
AmeriCorpsAbility
2350 West Westmoreland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
americorps@arcphiladelphia.org