Description
AmeriCorps Member (Located in Houston, TX)
Service Description 2023-2024
Breakthrough is a non-profit organization with the mission of providing a path through college. AmeriCorps members provide essential support to students beginning in seventh grade who are on this path. Members provide mentoring, academic support, coaching, program planning and implementation, and other activities to contribute to the success of Breakthrough students. Members will receive extensive training in a variety of areas to prepare them for a rewarding and successful placement with Breakthrough.
QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must have the following required qualifications:
● Have a High School Diploma
● Be a U.S. citizen, or U.S. national or lawful permanent resident of the United States
● Have a commitment to community service and the ability to serve for the complete program year (September – early August)
Preferred applicants will also have the following qualifications:
● In pursuit of or attained a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
○ Applicants currently enrolled in college should be enrolled no more than half time.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
All of the following duties and responsibilities are essential position functions, though some members may have a greater responsibility for some of the functions listed. Individuals may be asked to perform other position-related duties within the scope of their normal service activities as requested by their supervisor or other Breakthrough staff member in alignment with the grant and not unallowable or prohibited activities, all subject to reasonable accommodation. Members will have recurring access to vulnerable populations. Members are required to wear the AmeriCorps logo daily.
● Act as a role model to Breakthrough students
● Communicate with students and families regularly
● Work closely with assigned Program Staff Members to provide individualized support to assigned students
● Provide academic support services to students at the Breakthrough office or at the student’s campus
● Assist in the development and implementation of after-school and Saturday programming
● Support in cultivating and managing Breakthrough volunteers assigned to your team and/or students
● Mentor students on the skills and strategies needed for success in school
● Participate actively in all training, professional development, civic reflection, and service activities
● Serve on a Middle School, a High School, or College Completion Team.
Duties may include:
● Coach students through critical application processes, including to high schools and to college and universities
● Develop and implement SAT and ACT test preparation activities
● Introduce productive summer opportunities to Breakthrough students and monitor their engagement and completion
● Support Breakthrough’s high-school graduates in their efforts to enroll in and graduate from college, maintaining regular communication and designing appropriate outreach activities to support their persistence towards graduation
● Aid in the planning and implementation of Breakthrough’s summer programming (Middle School Summer Programs, College Bound Summer Programs, College Completion Bridge Program)
In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by OneStar to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of the member’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale, high needs local, state, or federal disaster, AmeriCorps members may voluntarily or be required by OneStar to deploy to an area outside of their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Effective communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills • Ability to follow through
• Flexibility and openness to changing roles • Ability to work cooperatively on a team • Respond well to constructive criticism • Effective academic support and mentoring skills
• Willingness to learn and attend all AmeriCorps trainings • Commitment to working with youth and to service • Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Ability to complete paperwork and meet deadlines • Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred
• Reliable transportation (personal vehicle) required
Member Hours, Benefits, and Compensation
Full-time (year-round) members are required to accumulate 1700 hours and complete the full term of service period of September 5th, 2023 to August 26th, 2024 with occasional Saturday or evening events. Members receive the following:
• Living Stipend:
o First-time members (AmeriCorps Member) $25,904;
o Second-year returning members (AmeriCorps Leader) $29,454;
o Third-year and beyond returning members (AmeriCorps Senior Leader) $33,004
• Education Award - Upon successful completion of the Member’s 1700 service hours and completion of the full term of service, members are eligible to receive an Education Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service of $6,345 to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. Members may receive no more than the aggregate value of two full-time education awards.
• Optional health insurance coverage
• Non-monetary benefits (on-going support and professional development from experienced educators and non-profit leaders) • Assistance with finding housing and other resources for members
You can find the application form here: https://forms.gle/JU6CB4vF3vTDRu3m8
*Note: In the event that the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the ability of members to implement service activities, members will conduct aligned teleservice activities. AmeriCorps defines Teleservice as: “meaningfully serving or participating in training from a remote location where a host site supervisor is unable to physically be present, but will verify hours served by an AmeriCorps member.”
Additional Teleservice Qualifications:
• access to internet,
• ability to serve remotely, including communication via video conferencing
• ability to serve independently.
Member safety is important to Breakthrough Houston. If a member feels uncomfortable serving due to COVID-19, they should reach out to their site supervisor and/or Breakthrough Houston for accommodations. All members are provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for in-person service as long as health guidelines require use for in-person service.
Breakthrough Houston is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its applicants, staff members, and families, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. People of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
AmeriCorps Member (Located in Houston, TX)
Service Description 2023-2024
Breakthrough is a non-profit organization with the mission of providing a path through college. AmeriCorps members provide essential support to students beginning in seventh grade who are on this path. Members provide mentoring, academic support, coaching, program planning and implementation, and other activities to contribute to the success of Breakthrough students. Members will receive extensive training in a variety of areas to prepare them for a rewarding and successful placement with Breakthrough.
QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must have the following required qualifications:
● Have a High School Diploma
● Be a U.S. citizen, or U.S. national or lawful permanent resident of the United States
● Have a commitment to community service and the ability to serve for the complete program year (September – early August)
Preferred applicants will also have the following qualifications:
● In pursuit of or attained a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
○ Applicants currently enrolled in college should be enrolled no more than half time.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
All of the following duties and responsibilities are essential position functions, though some members may have a greater responsibility for some of the functions listed. Individuals may be asked to perform other position-related duties within the scope of their normal service activities as requested by their supervisor or other Breakthrough staff member in alignment with the grant and not unallowable or prohibited activities, all subject to reasonable accommodation. Members will have recurring access to vulnerable populations. Members are required to wear the AmeriCorps logo daily.
● Act as a role model to Breakthrough students
● Communicate with students and families regularly
● Work closely with assigned Program Staff Members to provide individualized support to assigned students
● Provide academic support services to students at the Breakthrough office or at the student’s campus
● Assist in the development and implementation of after-school and Saturday programming
● Support in cultivating and managing Breakthrough volunteers assigned to your team and/or students
● Mentor students on the skills and strategies needed for success in school
● Participate actively in all training, professional development, civic reflection, and service activities
● Serve on a Middle School, a High School, or College Completion Team.
Duties may include:
● Coach students through critical application processes, including to high schools and to college and universities
● Develop and implement SAT and ACT test preparation activities
● Introduce productive summer opportunities to Breakthrough students and monitor their engagement and completion
● Support Breakthrough’s high-school graduates in their efforts to enroll in and graduate from college, maintaining regular communication and designing appropriate outreach activities to support their persistence towards graduation
● Aid in the planning and implementation of Breakthrough’s summer programming (Middle School Summer Programs, College Bound Summer Programs, College Completion Bridge Program)
In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by OneStar to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of the member’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale, high needs local, state, or federal disaster, AmeriCorps members may voluntarily or be required by OneStar to deploy to an area outside of their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Effective communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills • Ability to follow through
• Flexibility and openness to changing roles • Ability to work cooperatively on a team • Respond well to constructive criticism • Effective academic support and mentoring skills
• Willingness to learn and attend all AmeriCorps trainings • Commitment to working with youth and to service • Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Ability to complete paperwork and meet deadlines • Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred
• Reliable transportation (personal vehicle) required
Member Hours, Benefits, and Compensation
Full-time (year-round) members are required to accumulate 1700 hours and complete the full term of service period of September 5th, 2023 to August 26th, 2024 with occasional Saturday or evening events. Members receive the following:
• Living Stipend:
o First-time members (AmeriCorps Member) $25,904;
o Second-year returning members (AmeriCorps Leader) $29,454;
o Third-year and beyond returning members (AmeriCorps Senior Leader) $33,004
• Education Award - Upon successful completion of the Member’s 1700 service hours and completion of the full term of service, members are eligible to receive an Education Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service of $6,345 to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. Members may receive no more than the aggregate value of two full-time education awards.
• Optional health insurance coverage
• Non-monetary benefits (on-going support and professional development from experienced educators and non-profit leaders) • Assistance with finding housing and other resources for members
You can find the application form here: https://forms.gle/JU6CB4vF3vTDRu3m8
*Note: In the event that the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the ability of members to implement service activities, members will conduct aligned teleservice activities. AmeriCorps defines Teleservice as: “meaningfully serving or participating in training from a remote location where a host site supervisor is unable to physically be present, but will verify hours served by an AmeriCorps member.”
Additional Teleservice Qualifications:
• access to internet,
• ability to serve remotely, including communication via video conferencing
• ability to serve independently.
Member safety is important to Breakthrough Houston. If a member feels uncomfortable serving due to COVID-19, they should reach out to their site supervisor and/or Breakthrough Houston for accommodations. All members are provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for in-person service as long as health guidelines require use for in-person service.
Breakthrough Houston is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its applicants, staff members, and families, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. People of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Living Allowance
$2158
-
$2750 monthly
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Training
Additional Benefits
Full-time (year-round) members are required to accumulate 1700 hours and complete the full term of service period of September 1, 2021 through August 12 (or August 31, 2022 for College Team Members), with occasional Saturday or evening events. Members receive the following:
Living Stipend:
• First-time members (AmeriCorps Member) $15,100;
• Second-year returning members (AmeriCorps Leader) $22,357;
• Third-year and beyond returning members (AmeriCorps Senior Leader) $30,200
Education Award: Upon successful completion of the Member’s 1700 service hours and completion of the full term of service, members are eligible to receive an Education Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service of $6,345 to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. Members may receive no more than the aggregate value of two full-time education awards.
Optional health insurance coverage
Monthly phone and vehicle-use stipend: Between $100 and $150 per month depending on placement
Non-monetary benefits: On-going support and professional development from experienced educators and non-profit leaders
Assistance with finding housing and other resources for members
Education Requirements
High School Graduate
Desired Languages
English, Spanish
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Permits attendance at school during off hours
Subject to criminal background check
Age Requirement
17 - 30