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AmeriCorps Learn with Playgroup Facilitator

Job Title: AmeriCorps Learn with Playgroup Facilitator

Reports to: Learn with Playgroup (LWP) Manager as well as Director of the AmeriCorps Student Success Program

Modeled after the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps enables people to contribute to the betterment of their community while gaining excellent experience, receiving a monthly living allowance, and earning an education award to help pay for college tuition. 

Learn with Playgroup is a FREE weekly educational play experience for children ages 0-5 and their parents. Our mission is to help parents support their children in gaining new skills and reaching developmental milestones while providing families with a social network. AmeriCorps LWP Facilitators typically lead 2 weekly playgroup groups and help support the overall program through their 6-8 hours of work each week.

LWP Responsibilities (report to LWP Manager):

  • Member responsibilities vary depending on the needs of the playgroups they lead but all members do the following:
  • Complete required LWP initial training
  • Recruit and retain participants
  • Promote parent engagement and attendance at playgroups
  • Provide a wholesome, organized, clean and safe environment for learning and play
  • Plan, prepare, and present the Learn with Playgroup curriculum (circle time, craft, parent corner and other activities) for each Playgroup session (with the help of volunteers assigned to the class)
  • Help to create and refine the LWP curriculum
  • Build relationships with families and reach out to families who are absent
  • Connect families with community resources
  • Track registrations and enter attendance on provided datasheet
  • Participate in weekly meetings with other LWP class leaders

The LWP Manager and Coordinator oversee and assist with these member responsibilities. 

AmeriCorps Requirements & Duties (report to AmeriCorps Student Success Director):

  • Complete a minimum of 450/300 hours (approximately 6-8 hours/week) depending on position type; hours are flexible based on member availability and program needs
  • Record service hours regularly with fidelity 
  • Complete required AmeriCorps Training (initial and ongoing)
  • Participate in AmeriCorps National Service Days (9/11 and MLK Day)
  • Complete self-evaluations twice a year
  • Participate in site visits with LWP Supervisor and AmeriCorps staff member twice a year

Benefits: 

  • Gain Experience - Gain first-hand experience in working with children and families; develop management, organization, and volunteer recruitment and supervision skills 
  • Living Allowance- Over the course of their 12-month term of service, members receive a living allowance of $4000 (or $333/month) for the 300 hour position and $6000 (or $500) for the 450 hour position.
  • Education Award - At the end of each honorably completed service year, members receive an education award of $1,459.26 for the 300 hour position and $1,824.07 for the 450 hour position that can be used for tuition, fees and books at any accredited post-secondary institution or towards payment of student loans. Members over the age of 55 can transfer their education award to a child or grandchild 
  • Student Loan Forbearance - All members qualify for forbearance of payments on current student loans
  • On-going Professional Development and Support - Members receive training, support and encouragement from our program staff and ongoing access to the nationwide AmeriCorps Alumni Network that can help them with networking and employment.

Each member can serve for up to 4 terms and can receive the equivalent of up to two full-time education awards.

Member Qualifications:

  • Desire to make a difference in your community
  • Experience working with children and/or families
  • Interest in pursuing a career in education, social work or another related field preferred but not required
  • High school graduate
  • Age 18+ years
  • US Citizenship or lawful permanent resident
  • Pass an FBI background check/Sex offender check conducted prior to hire
  • Team player
  • Good communication skills
  • Basic computer skills preferred including experience with spreadsheets
  • Good organization skills
  • Punctual and reliable
  • Bilingual in Spanish is a plus

Application Instructions:

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to Marcie Valdez, Director of Collective Impact mvaldez@uwnu.org

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