AmeriCorps Community Projects Coordinator, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School

Posted by YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School on June 22, 2015

The AmeriCorps Community Projects Coordinator serves a 12-month term (August 12, 2015 to August 5, 2016) at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, an alternative 12th-Grade-only, diploma-granting high school for high-school dropouts ages 18 to 21.

To apply, send letter of interest and resume to Zuri Stone, Assistant Director of Student Life at zstone@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “Community Projects Coordinator” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School
1231 North Broad Street, 5th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19122
http://www.youthbuildphilly.org

Background
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is a 12th-Grade-only charter school for young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 who have dropped out of high school. Programmatically, the School spans two years. During the first year, approximately 220 students alternate between six-week sessions of academic instruction and one of an array of vocational-training programs, including building trades, business administration, child development and healthcare. The students earn a competency-based high-school diploma, work toward a certification in their chosen vocational area, and serve as part-time AmeriCorps Members. In the second year, the new graduates receive organizational support as they pursue their postsecondary goals.

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
* Excellence * Perseverance * Respect *

Job Description
Full-time AmeriCorps Community Project Coordinators at YouthBuild Philadelphia will have the opportunity to foster civic responsibility among our students, strengthen our community, and work closely with our partner organizations. This position is housed within the Student Life Department which serves as the hub of YouthBuild Philadelphia’s school climate and culture. With the support of a team of individuals, this position will have development, management and facilitation of physical community service and service learning. The responsibilities of mentoring and extracurricular activities along with supporting other program areas in the efficacy of service accompany this position.

This is a full-time year-long service position paid through a bi-weekly living allowance AmeriCorps stipend of $500.00. Regular hours will be approximately 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. However, please note that some irregular hours are expected for this position as events demand. Upon completion of the year-long service term, incumbents will be awarded an educational award as well.

AmeriCorps Community Project Coordinators at YouthBuild Philadelphia perform the following duties:
• Coordinate the community-service efforts for the entire student body through classroom-based service-learning courses
o Facilitate a service-learning course focused on social justice issues that affect residents of Philadelphia, and expose students to community organizations working on these issues
o Work alongside and support students performing service while on their vocational rotation
o Coordinate Saturday service opportunities for students by partnering with outside organizations and designing original projects
o Plan school-wide, service events like MLK Day of Service, 9/11 Day of Service, AmeriCorps Launch and AmeriCorps Week
 Support the school’s Saturday-School academic-enhancement program
 Regularly facilitate extra-curricular and student-engagement activities
 Support the overall climate and culture of the School, including but not limited to, the utilization of restorative-practices for disciplining students, positive youth development practices and leadership development
 Serve as mentor to five or six students
 Tutor students through in-classroom support and after school on a rotating basis
 Run student leadership groups focusing on student government and peer mediation
 Plan student events, such as picnics, dances, and prom
 Support students in post-secondary planning and placements

Requirements
 Ability to serve full 12-month term of service from August 12, 2015 to August 5, 2016
 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 initiative, flexibility and motivation
 Have a good understanding of the myriad of challenges facing inner-city students.
 Creativity in developing strategies that lead to students’ success;
 High level of professionalism and customer-service skills;
 Respect for the intelligence and experiences of young adults;
 Strong commitment to helping young adults succeed in reorienting their lives, nurturing their leadership skills, and enabling them to make a difference in their community

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 organization skills. Candidates must have the ability and willingness to do occasional physical labor including: lifting, carrying, cleaning, painting, etc.

Qualified candidates of all skill-levels are encouraged to apply. Training will be provided for all successful candidates.

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
o 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).