AmeriCorps position: Instructor, Information Technology / Business Administration

Posted by YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School on September 29, 2014

Instructor: Information Technology / Business Administration
Job posted by: YouthBuild Philadelphia

10-month AmeriCorps Member (date of hire to July 30, 2015) positions at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, an alternative 12th-Grade-only, diploma-granting high school for former high-school dropouts ages 18 to 21.

Background

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is an education and job-training program for young adults who have dropped out of high school. Students in the program alternate five-week sessions between (1) the academic classroom, where they learn core academic subjects and develop leadership and life skills, and (2) a vocational-training site (construction, computer technology, childcare or healthcare) where they develop career-related, real-world work skills. Originally chartered in 1997, the School enrolls approximately 220 students each year. Regular hours for this position are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mission

Our mission is to provide out-of-school youth in Philadelphia with the broadest range of tools supports and opportunities available to become self sufficient, responsible and productive citizens in their community. The emphasis is on transitioning them successfully so that they will succeed in top-quality training schools, colleges, union apprenticeship programs, other careers, and the competitive world beyond.

Core Values

* Respect * Excellence * Perseverance *

Requirements

• Be able to serve full 12-month term of service from date of hire to July 30, 2015
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States
• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree
• Have a strong desire to provide needed educational, technological, or community services to an underserved community
• Have the motivation, initiative, flexibility, desire, and patience to work with students who have dropped out of high school and have a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
• Be an independent and creative problem-solver
• Have a good understanding of the myriad of challenges facing inner-city students
• Be able to engage a group of students in a classroom setting.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with computer hardware and software including:
  • Expertise in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Basic refurbishment of desktops and laptops
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of the college admissions process
• Business administration or entrepreneurial background

Ideal candidates for these positions must be motivated self-starters with the ability to be flexible and work well with a team. A desire to work with high-need, low-income students is crucial. Candidates should also have excellent interpersonal, facilitation, conflict resolution, and organizational skills. Candidates must have the ability and willingness to do occasional physical labor including: lifting, carrying, cleaning, painting, etc.

Classroom responsibilities

Teach some combination of:

• Computer literacy skills
  • Microsoft IT Academy Digital Literacy certification exam prep
  • Business writing and other business skills (business plans, data analysis)
• Professional skills
• Support the school’s Saturday School academic-enhancement program (1 to 2 Saturday mornings per month)
• Support student-engagement efforts by facilitating extracurricular activities
• Work with students and outside partners to refurbish computers
• Program Involvement
• Participate in community-service projects in keeping with the school’s strong service-learning emphasis;
• Serve as mentor to four or five students.

Benefits

• A living allowance of $13,000 for the one-year term
• Reimbursement of monthly premiums for your individual medical/health insurance policy, up to $100.00 per month
• 15 personal days, plus week-long Winter and Spring Breaks, as well as School Holidays
• Members are requested NOT to use personals days in critical August-September and May-June periods
• Childcare coverage (if applicable)
• Loan forbearance with interest-accrual payment, and
• An education award of about $5,550 upon completion of the full term of service (the exact amount of the award is tied to the amount of Pell Grants, which has yet to be determined).

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/3cfjBgWDT6BD/