AmeriCorps Community Projects Coordinator, YouthBuild Philadelphia

Posted by YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School on May 22, 2017

AmeriCorps Community Projects Coordinator: 12-months of service, August 14, 2017 – August 14, 2018, at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, an alternative 12th-Grade-only, diploma-granting high school for 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. 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 serve full 12-month term of service from August 14, 2017 to August 14, 2018
 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 $5,815 upon completion of the full term of service.

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 afterschool and Saturday service opportunities for students by partnering with outside organizations and designing original projects
o Plan school-wide MLK Day of Service project
 Support and serve with student members on their vocation-service sites
 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

To apply, please send your letter of interest and resume to Zuri Stone, Member Hiring Coordinator at StudentLife@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “Community Projects Coordinator” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.