Ready Corps
AmeriCorps Member Position Description
NAME AND LOCATION OF SITE: HANDS ON CHARLOTTE, 1616 CENTRAL AVENUE SUITE 200, CHARLOTTE, NC 28205
TITLE: Ready Corps Member
REPORTS TO: Doug Macomb, Director of Programs
TERM OF SERVICE: January 25, 2016 – November 25, 2016
ANTICIPATED SERVICE SCHEDULE: Each member will serve 1700 hours over the term of service, averaging 40 hours per week, which may include some evening and weekend hours
SITE DESCRIPTION: Hands On Charlotte is a nonprofit volunteer service organization. We promote volunteerism and direct community service to meet Charlotte’s most critical needs. Our mission is to strengthen our community and enrich lives by mobilizing a diverse corps of citizens in direct, volunteer service.
Throughout the year, Hands On Charlotte provides direct volunteer service to the Charlotte community. We help homeless families, guide at-risk youth, tutor disadvantaged children, feed the hungry, care for our environment and so much more. Our volunteers address our community’s most pressing needs through direct service.
Hands On Charlotte offers a variety of meaningful volunteer projects that benefits the citizens of Charlotte. We provide volunteers with flexible volunteer opportunities to create positive change. We simplify the process by organizing and promoting hundreds of volunteer opportunities to make community service accessible to all.
POSITION SUMMARY
Ready Corps (an AmeriCorps program implemented by Points of Light, creates disaster resilient communities by increasing preparedness of individuals and families through volunteer engagement. Ready Corps members will serve 10-month terms. Corps members will provide direct service and train volunteer leaders to recruit and educate teams of volunteers to:
Improve preparedness of individuals and families through local collaborative volunteer projects, service events, and trainings resulting in personal preparedness plans.
Expand Local Preparedness Networks and community capacity to respond to disasters by strengthening partnership networks while building a corps of trained volunteer leaders with specific focus on managing unaffiliated volunteers in emergency situations.
Support long-term recovery and sustainability by increasing organizational capacity to help individuals and families prepare and, in the case of disaster, more easily respond and recover from current events.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED TASKS
Design and develop volunteer projects such as neighborhood canvassing to provide literature to and promote general awareness of disasters, managing donation drives to collect and distribute items for personal or family preparedness kits for vulnerable populations, and developing individualized preparedness plans with individuals, families and youth
Organize and manage large scale Days of Service such as National Preparedness Month Neighborhood Block Parties, September 11 Day of Service, Hurricane Blow Out Days, Kit Building Party Days, and Winter Weather Parties
Conduct and facilitate participation in trainings such as the Citizen Corps’ Community Emergency Response Team training, Points of Light’s Disaster Resistant Communities Group training, Points of Light’s Spontaneous Volunteer Management in Times of Disaster training, and Volunteer Emergency Support Team training
QUALIFICATIONS
Excellent organization, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills are a must.
Outstanding work ethic, ability to always be on time, proactive and can complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications in a Macintosh environment is preferred. Knowledge of the Charlotte community is preferred.
Previous experience serving in a National Service Program is preferred
Candidate should believe in the power of volunteering, be concerned with improving the community, and be able to handle demanding situations with a sense of humor.
BENEFITS
Opportunity to make a difference in a community
Opportunity to register with AmeriCorps Alums (www.americorpsalums.org)
Two-day Community Emergency Preparedness Corps Training
Opportunity to participate in Points of Light virtual webinars and conference calls
Networking opportunities with fellow corps members across the country
Onsite training and professional development
Living allowance of $12,100 over term of service
An AmeriCorps Education Award ($5,645) upon successful completion of service
Health benefits and child care assistance if qualified
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Ready Corps members are as diverse a group as the communities they serve. Applicants must:
Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
Have a college degree or attended some college, have a high school diploma or GED.
Have served no more than two terms in an AmeriCorps state or national program.*
Agree to a criminal background check
Be able to participate in the Training Corps Training in January 25-27 2016 in Washington D.C.
Previous experiences with service, training, or leadership development strengthen candidacy.
Individuals may receive no more than the value of two full time education awards. If you have received the equivalent of more than one full time education award, you are eligible to serve and receive a discounted award.
How to apply
Apply by submitting your cover letter and resume to Doug Macomb at dougm@handsoncharlotte.org by January 8, 2016.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.