Safer Communities Ambassador, YouthBuild Phila Charter School

Posted by YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School on April 23, 2018

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.

Job Description
A Full Time AmeriCorps Position; the ideal candidate will have the desire and skills to work with young adults as they grow their skills through a rigorous customer service and digital literacy vocational training track that ultimately prepares them for retail (customer-facing) employment as well as post-secondary education. This position is housed within the Business Administration Scholars (BAS) vocational track a specifically designed pre-college track, where students are prepared to handle work-school-life balance after YouthBuild. With the support of a team of individuals, this position will have facilitating, service, mentoring and extracurricular responsibilities.

This is a half-time 12 month service position from August 13 2018 – August 19, 2018 paid through a bi-weekly AmeriCorps stipend. 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.

Benefits

• A living allowance of $14,500 for the 12 month term. The living allowance is taxable, and taxes will be deducted directly from the living allowance and will be distributed biweekly, first by check than by direct deposit.
• All members are required to have health insurance. Should the member not have health insurance, YouthBuild Philadelphia will provide reimbursement of monthly premiums for individual health insurance.
• Childcare coverage (if applicable)
• Monthly transpass
• Loan forbearance with interest-accrual payment, and
• An education award of $5,815 upon completion of the full term of service.

The duties and responsibilities of the PennSERVE AmeriCorps – Safer Communities Ambassador are, as follows:

Create an engaging service site with partners focused on achieving safer communities.

• Establish partnerships with community organizations that work towards safer communities, community unity, and police-community partnerships.
• Facilitate service projects centered around community engagement
• Problem-solve with students the day-to-day barriers on the worksite, that arise and use this as teachable moments so they may build transferrable and professional skills

Customer Service Training

• Facilitate classes to select students in the basics of customer service using an established customer service curriculum
• Grade students on their work and meet with them to discuss professional skills attainment
• Act as a support to the Customer Service Manager for the on-the-job training in an applied learning site for customer service

Technology Training

• Teach established coursework to build foundational skills for Digital Literacy that will better prepare them for post-secondary school and employment
• Work with all students on their Digital Portfolios
• Attend weekly all-staff and department meetings, as well as any other meetings as required by the BAS
• Manager and Director of Vocational Training

Pre-College Support

• Guide and support young adults in the process of post-secondary educational discernment process

Vocational Leadership

• Believe deeply in the mission and values of YouthBuild Philadelphia
• Model professional behavior for students at all times
• Exhibit consistent positive rapport with students
• Develop teamwork and leadership skills of students
• Demonstrate creativity and flexibility in identifying locations and settings of professional-work opportunities, as well as in the teaching tools used in the career-readiness preparation.

Program Involvement

• Participate in the School’s Mentoring Program;
• Participate in community-service projects in keeping with the service ethic of the School;
• Support the overall climate and culture of the School, including but not limited to, the utilization of restorative-practices for disciplining students, support of leadership development, participation in events, and visits to worksites/internships, as appropriate;
• Support fundraising and related development efforts for the School.

Professional Development

• Continue to develop professional skills through trainings and professional-development activities offered both at the School and identified external trainings;
• Attend retreats, workshops, and conferences, as required.

Other duties as assigned by the BAS Manager or Director of Vocational Training

Qualifications

• YouthBuild Philadelphia requires the following qualifications for this position:
• Experience with customer service – in a retail or customer facing position preferred
• Strong ability to use the latest versions of digital literacy tools including, MS Office, Email, Internet, Google Drive & relevant docs, blogging applications
• Basic understanding of the college application process
• Associates Degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred
• Teaching or formal training experience preferred, not required
• PA, PA Child Abuse, and Federal/FBI (Acts 24, 34, 114 and 151) criminal background clearances;
• Experience working in a team setting
• Ability to work enthusiastically with young people who have not completed high school
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present information to groups;
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, highly flexible work—often highly intense—work environment;
• Ability to travel to locations, organizations or events in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding counties;
• 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 are 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.

To apply, please send your letter of interest and resume to Tanza Pugliese, AmeriCorps Grant Coordinator at info.americorps@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “PennSERVE Safer Community Ambassador” the subject line. No phone calls, please.