AmeriCorps Community Projects Coordinator, YouthBuild

Posted by YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School on May 2, 2016

12-month position (Orientation on August 11 & 12, with the term being August 15, 2016 – August 14, 2017) at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, an alternative 12th-Grade-only, diploma-granting high school for high-school dropouts ages 18 to 21.

To apply, please send cover letter, letter of interest, and resume to Zuri Stone, Member Hiring Coordinator 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 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. though flexibility is expected.

Mission
Our mission is to provide out of school youth in Philadelphia with the broadest range of tools, support, 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 *

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.

Requirements
 Ability to attend an orientation on August 11 – 12, 2016 and serve full 12-month term of service from August 15, 2016 to August 14, 2017
 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.

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.

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

Benefits
 A living allowance of $14,500 for the one-year 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)
 Loan forbearance with interest-accrual payment, and
 An education award of about $5,775 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).

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 Coordinate Saturday service opportunities for students by partnering with outside organizations and designing original projects
o Plan school-wide MLK Day of Service project
 Support the school’s Saturday-School academic-enhancement program
 Regularly facilitate extra-curricular and student-engagement activities
 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