Coordinator, AmeriCorps Program to Bridge the Digital Divide

Posted by on May 10, 2002

Coordinator, AmeriCorps Program to Bridge the Digital Divide
Position available 9/1/02

The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Community Partnerships is seeking a new coordinator for Penn’s AmeriCorps Program to Bridge the Digital Divide.

Americorps is the ‘domestic peace corps,’ a federal program with thousands of Members that is based upon "Getting Things Done." (Information on the national program can be found at http://www.cns.gov; the important information on the local program follows.)

Description: If you have wanted to work with the West Philadelphia community and/or address issues of the Digital Divide, here is your chance! This program provides both hardware and curriculum support directly to the community. The person selected for this position will team with a co-coordinator to motivate and guide to 35 Penn students and 4 High school students. While addressing the West Philadelphia community at large, particular emphasis will be placed on supporting two local high school tech centers, collaborating with local after-school programs in communities of faith, and developing additional tech support materials for non-profits.

Pay:
– Salary is $19,200 per year
– The program is affiliated with AmeriCorps, so the person will also receive an additional $4,725 education award at the end of his/her term of service (note — must be between ages of 17 and 24 to take this position)
– Loan forbearance/postponement is also available
– Health insurance is provided

Responsibilites of the job include:
– Recruiting Penn students to provide technology service to local schools, communities of faith, and non-profits
– Coordinating Penn student relationships with 14 existing sites
– Working directly with high school students and community members
– Initiating creative new tech-based programs and developing course ideas

Qualifications:
– A desire and ability to work closely with the community is the most important criteria
– Organizational skills and an ability to direct and motivate others are essential

Additional qualifications we are seeking include:
– Knowledge of hardware and software and ability to troubleshoot computers
– Ability to establish and network labs
– Basic knowledge of computer applications and the use of the Internet
– Some experience working with the community and teaching highly desirable

More information on the program can be found at:
http://www.upenn.edu/ccp/digitaldivide/

Please address all questions or correspondance to:

Paul Vinelli
AmeriCorps Program to Bridge the Digital Divide
Center for Community Partnerships
133 S. 36th Street, Suite 519
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215 898 TECH (8324)
paul76@sas.upenn.edu