Stories

AmeriCorps Member Service Opportunity

5.06.2019

Communities First, Inc. and Local Initiatives Support Corporation are seeking a minimum-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a Community Assessment Liaison. The candidate will ideally begin service on May 1, 2019 and serve a minimum of 300 hours though the end of his/her term on September 30, 2019. The exact start and end date is confirmed by the Member Agreement of Participation. The individual selected to serve is not considered to be an employee of Communities First, Inc. or LISC.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUNDS

Communities First, Inc. is a Flint based nonprofit corporation whose mission is to build healthy, vibrant communities through economic development, affordable housing and innovative programming.  The organization is focused on providing safe, quality affordable housing, increasing economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life of the populations that the organization serves.

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.  Over the last 38 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $20 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities.  These investments have leveraged more than $50 billion in development activity and helped families and communities raise their standards of living. LISC investments impact the lives of nearly 7 million Americans.  Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 31 markets with offices extending from Buffalo to San Francisco. Our rural programs make an impact in 44 states, and are supported by LISC’s talented and dedicated workforce. Visit us at www.lisc.org

AMERICORPS MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The member serving in this role will be responsible for:

PERFORMANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

This is an AmeriCorps position.  LISC and Communities First, Inc. will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member.

Members will be provided with goal(s) at the onset of the service assignment based on the activities and responsibilities noted above.  Members will track goal attainment monthly through an on-line system (training provided). Members will also discuss professional performance in the form of a final appraisal. Members are required to track time and submit on-line (training provided) timesheets twice per month.

Members will perform day to day service at Communities First, Inc. and serve a minimum of 30 hours per week.  Normal service hours are Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm with 30 minutes for lunch per day. There will be opportunities to serve evenings and weekends.  

Members will have an immediate supervisor and a local LISC supervisor throughout the term of service as identified by LISC and Communities First, Inc.

Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:

DESIRED SKILLS

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate must meet all eligibility requirements to serve as a National Service participant including but not limited to:

NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH REQUIREMENT

If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. Only candidates who are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of murder may not participate as an AmeriCorps member.  Only candidates being offered and then accepting the position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, a State Level Criminal History Search and an FBI search. Consent is provided via the LISC AmeriCorps application. Candidates must be cleared by CNCS prior to the first day of service.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $1,252.91 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place existing student loans (loans must qualify and not in a state of default) into AmeriCorps forbearance.  The position pays a total stipend of $3000.  The stipend is taxable and paid in 5 equal checks from Communities First, Inc. 

Additional benefits for alums can be found here:  https://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume to:

Communities First, Inc.

Attn: Glenn Wilson

415 W. Court Street

Flint, MI 48502

info@communitiesfirstinc.org

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.

This program is available to all, and we treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or lo