Site Location:
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County
Joel E Smilow Clubhouse at Rainier Vista
Position Title:
Education Coordinator
The Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse and Teen Center at Rainier Vista is a youth service agency serving young people ages 5 to 18. Our programs include after school drop-in activities, summer, winter and spring full day camps for Club Members from Kindergarten through 6th grade, as well as programs for older youth and teens 7th-12th grade. Our academic program uses homework help, tutoring, and skill development to ensure that all youth at the Club advance to the next grade level on time and are prepared to graduate high school with a plan.
Overall Responsibilities
The AmeriCorps VISTA member will evaluate the existing educational programming at the Boys & Girls Club including the homework help and tutoring programs. The VISTA member will then develop training and support systems, and refine, revise, and create systems as needed. The VISTA member will implement the systems under the direction of the Assistant Education Director, identifying elements that will require additional staffing, volunteer support and funding resources.
The VISTA member will also reach out to build relationships with key community partners and all 25+ schools that our club members attend. The VISTA member build systems around community partnerships and school outreach and then implement these systems, identifying elements that will require permanent staff support at the end of the member's term of service.
Weekly Responsibilities
• Attend staff meetings, meet with supervisor and other staff as necessary
• Identify and attend community-based meetings and events to increase Club profile, inform the public about educational programming at the Club and for other outreach purposes
• Visit local schools -- elementary, middle, and high schools -- to continue to develop partnerships
• Research existing community partnerships around educational programming for Club members
• Review existing programs, conduct information-gathering with volunteers, permanent staff and Club youth to identify program and partnership needs
• Attend countywide Boys & Girls Club meetings and events
• Recruit and manage select number of volunteers for educational programming
• Plan and help conduct educational trainings for Club staff and volunteers
Hours and Days Needed
The VISTA member will be expected to be available 11:30am-7:30pm, Monday through Friday, with attendance at VISTA team meetings two Fridays a month. Hours vary somewhat on special event days, membership drives and trainings. Organizational holidays include New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and day following, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Qualifications and Skills Required
• Successful completion of National Criminal History Background check
• Familiarity with youth development principles and practices
• A commitment to instilling the importance of academic success in all youth
• Valid Driver's License
• Access to transportation
• Desire to create community change in Southeast Seattle
• High School Diploma/GED required, 4 year Bachelors Degree preferred
• Experience providing academic support to youth (teaching, tutoring) preferred
• Knowledge of Boys & Girls Club or similar organization preferred
TO APPLY: Send email with cover letter and resume to the reply address above. In cover letter, address why you would be interested in an AmeriCorps VISTA position focused on educating youth. ALSO: See below information about the VISTA Team (Sound Youth) and apply through their website as well. Both application procedures are necessary.
Sound Youth VISTA members build capacity in communities, organizations, and schools to support and empower Seattle's young people.
AmeriCorps*VISTA members spend 12 months in full-time service addressing the needs of low-income communities. All projects focus on building permanent infrastructure in nonprofit organizations to help them more effectively bring youth, families, and communities out of poverty. Sound Youth*VISTAs spend over 80% of their time building the capacity of organizations, working as grant-writers, fundraisers, program developers, community organizers, and volunteer managers on behalf of youth. Additional hours are devoted to training, professional development, and volunteering at other sites (this can include a small percentage of direct service.)
Members typically work at their assigned site Monday through Thursday. Fridays are reserved for team meetings which consist of vocational training, team building events, and service projects. Each member, as part of their personal & professional development, is required to complete a leadershsip project. This project is based on the member's own interests as a way to give back to the Sound Youth VISTA team. Examples of leadership activities include: facilitating a meeting or training; helping with recruitment of new members; editing
Sound Youth VISTA outreach materials and website; leading a fundraiser or benefit for the team; planning a service project or team-building activity.
Additional required events during the course of the year include an initial Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service for new VISTAs. There are many other optional trainings and events in the community that we publicize and encourage members to attend.
In exchange for one year of service, Sound Youth VISTA members receive a modest living stipend, and a $5,550 post-secondary educational award upon completion of service. This award can be used to enroll in future courses at an educational institution, or to pay off student loans. In addition, they can elect to receive free health coverage, student loan deferment for qualified loans, and child care during their term of service. VISTAs also receive some subsidized transportation for service-related expenses. VISTA members are not allowed to maintain secondary employment or earn outside income. Please refer to the below information from VISTA Campus regarding this policy:
"During a term of service, members live at the economic level of the people they serve. The member living allowance is at the poverty level. A member may not receive any additional monetary compensation beyond the standard allowances for services rendered as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Members are expected to serve the community, not themselves. Members remain available for service, without regard to regular working hours, at all times during the member's service, except for periods of approved leave. As a result, employment is not permitted during AmeriCorps*VISTA service, and you may not be absent from the project without approval from the sponsoring organization or supervisor."
*Please note that the living stipend, education award, and interest repayment (of interest accrued during loan forbearance) are all considered taxable income.
Benefits:
In exchange for 12 months of service (projected service term is April 2012 through April 2013) you are eligible to receive:
1. A living stipend of $12,800 (pre-tax) dispersed over the 12 month service term.
2. Loan forbearance or deferment during the 12 month service term for qualified student loans.
3. Upon completion of service, VISTAs may choose to receive EITHER: 1) an education award of $5,550 to be used to pay back student loans or pay future tuition; OR 2) a $1,500 (pre-tax) end-of-year cash stipend.
4. Free healthcare coverage (dental, vision, and pre-existing conditions not included)
5. A childcare subsidy
6. Vacation time: 10 personal days, 10 sick days, and any holidays off that your service site honors.
7. Skills development for non-profit or public sector career.
8. Some subsidized transportation for service-related travel.
9. A relocation allowance and reimbursement of some shipping costs for VISTAs moving from out-of-state to serve in Seattle.
10. 1 year of non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs.
11. So much more!
*Note: VISTA members CANNOT hold secondary jobs or make additional income during a VISTA service term. While it is not encouraged, VISTA members are eligible to enroll in classes during their VISTA service term.
How to Apply to Sound Youth VISTA:
1. Create a MyAmeriCorps account and fill out a general AmeriCorps application here.
2. Search for us by filling out the following information:
• Program Type: AmeriCorps*VISTA
• State: Washington
• Program Name: Sound Youth
Once your general AmeriCorps application is completed and submitted, we will ask you to fill out a more specific Sound Youth VISTA application.
- Location: Rainier Valley (SE SEATTLE)
- Compensation: Living stipend of $12,800 + add'l AmeriCorps benefits and education award
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
