AmeriCorps Positions

AmeriCorps Volunteer Positions Available in Urbana-Champaign!

The UCIMC has been awarded 10 State AmeriCorps starting in August of 2010!  Applications are currently being accepted for the following positions:

* News Media Coordinator

* Books to Prisoners Volunteer Coordinator

* The Bike Project Volunteer Coordinator

* All-Ages Performance Venue Coordinator (starting in mid-September)

Applications are also being accepted for positions where members will be placed with partner sites in the area:

* The University YMCA, Community Outreach Coordinator

* Champaign County Regional Planning Commission Case Aide (2 positions open)

(Please find descriptions of the positions below.)

To Apply:

Each of the open positions have descriptions below.  This is a two-part application:

1.)   Please submit a resume and cover letter to the email listed on the position description.  Position descriptions are available below.  

Please complete this portion of the application first.  We do not accept the AmeriCorps standard application.  You must submit a resume and cover letter to the email/contact listed for the specific position.

2.)   Selected candidate will need to create an account in the AmeriCorps system to formally accept an offer. It is recommended that applicants begin this process as early as possible, as it requires documentation (proof of citizenship) and submissions from 2 references. Create an account at: https://my2.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do

For general information on the program, please contact Carol Ammons, AmeriCorps Program Director (carolammons@gmail.com).

Benefits of Service:

This is a full-time, one year commitments to serve as a State AmeriCorps.  AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance of $11,800, student-loan forbearance, health coverage, and child care for those who qualify. After successfully completing your term of service, you will receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $5,350. This award can be used to pay off qualified student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training at eligible institutions. (from: http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/state_national.asp). The UCIMC State AmeriCorps Program will also provide all AmeriCorps members with a bus pass, professional development opportunities, and access to the UCIMC's many resources.

Bike Project Volunteer Coordinator

Job Summary:

The Bike Project seeks an AmeriCorps member to serve as a Volunteer Coordinator who will complete tasks and organize activities that allow the Bike Project to serve more community members and generate more interest in volunteering with the Bike Project.  This includes working with current volunteer staffers, assisting new Bike Project members in getting acquainted with the shop, cultivate new volunteer staffer involvement, teach and training new volunteer staffers, as well as arrange and take part in events related to bicycle maintenance and safety.

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to thebikeproject@gmail.com.  Applications accepted until July 14th, 2010.

Please visit The Bike Project Website for more information.

University YMCA Community Engagement Coordinator

Job Summary:

Founded in 1873, the YMCA at the University of Illinois is the oldest non-profit in Champaign County. But unlike traditional YMCAs, the University Y has no pool and no gym. Rather we have been building leaders by engaging college students in community issues.  For generations, the University Y has served as a bridge between the university and the community encouraging student to apply what they learn in class to tackle the injustices and problems facing the local community. The AmeriCorps member assigned to the University YMCA will have two basic responsibilities:

Community Engagement. The AmeriCorps member will spend half of their time working to help establish a more formal “Community Engagement” program for students.  In general, the activities associated with the community engagement component would involve working closely with one or more of our 15 student programs, such as, to assist them in identifying community partners, developing collaborations and building programs that meet the specific needs in the community.  The AmeriCorps member will help recruit volunteers, organize trainings, conduct outreach into the community, and build an infrastructure that exists beyond their service.

Alumni Outreach.  The other half of the AmeriCorps member time will be spent working to strengthen our relationship with students who were active at the University Y over the last few decades. Many of these alumni have become leaders in their communities and have much to share with current students who are just beginning to work in the community. At the same time, our alumni understand the value of this work and can be an important source of financial support to continue these programs after AmeriCorps resources are no longer available.  

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to universityymca@gmail.com.

Please visit University YMCA Website for more information.

News Media Coordinator

Job Summary:

The News Media Coordinator will serve the UCIMC by assisting with the production of news for multiple media: radio, print, video, and web. Specific duties will include recruiting and coordinating volunteers for both the Public i newspaper and 104.5 WRFU, Radio Free Urbana; soliciting writers and editing articles for the Public i; conducting local research and interviews for stories that affect the local community; holding an ongoing series of training sessions to teach volunteers how to operate radio equipment, write articles, and use editing software for audio, video, and newspaper layout; facilitating remaining events for “Poetry for the People,” a grant project to feature poetry by youth in the newspaper; outreach to the local community to expand the visibility of both the newspaper and radio station; fundraising and grant writing to sustain general operations and create future opportunities. Applicants are asked to submit a writing sample. Staff from the newspaper and radio station―closely familiar with local news, issues, and citizens―will train and supervise this member.

For more information about the projects visit:  WRFU and the Public i 

Deadline for application is July 23 by 11:59pm. Tentative start date: August 16th.

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to rfu@lists.chambana.net & print@ucimc.org.

Books to Prisoners Outreach Coordinator

Job Summary:

The primary responsibility for the Outreach Director is capacity building for UC Books to Prisoners. This effort will focus on three important elements critical to the success of the organization.

-Staff development (50%)

The Outreach Coordinator will recruit and sustain core volunteers who will be able to make a continuing commitment to the oversight of BTP. This will involve cultivating relationships with current volunteers, and planning speaking engagements with community groups to attract new volunteers, especially those likely to engage with BTP over a longer period.The Coordinator will develop systems to sustain the workflow of the program, so that volunteers fully cover work sessions, jail library shifts, and special events, including book sales and community book drives.

-Communication. (30%)

The Coordinator will maintain current communication strategies and develop new ways for BTP to communicate within the organization (newsletters, email, web announcements, etc.) and outside the organization (public speaking, media events, etc.)

-Fundraising (20%)

The Coordinator will research and pursue fundraising opportunities from a variety of sources: local and state foundations, community groups such as churches and service groups, a BTP membership program, and special events. The Coordinator will take the lead role on grant proposal writing, drawing on the assistance of BTP keystaff where needed.

Please visit the Books to Prisoners Website for more information.

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to finance@books2prisoners.org by July 21, 2010.  File format: .doc .docx .rtf .pdf

All-Ages Performance Venue Coordinator

Job Summary:

The UCIMC seeks a Performance Venue Coordinator to increase and diversify programming for our all-ages performance venue. The ideal candidate will seek out and sustain partnerships with community groups, performers, musicians, visual artists, and promoters. The coordinator will assist with planning, advertising, and scheduling educational, cultural and artistic events. Other duties include increasing volunteer opportunities for community members, operating stage, sound, and lighting equipment; managing and promoting an events calendar, training building staff and volunteers on live sound equipment; and developing a series of regular community arts events at the UCIMC. This member may also develop a retail space for work by local and emerging artists. The Venue Coordinator will work on several annual events including: IMC Music Festival, IMC Film Festival, Children's Arts Festival, and the IndyMedia & Arts Lab.

Required skills and abilities:

-Ability to work well with other volunteers and the public.

-Ability to establish priorities & work independently.

-Willing to work on a flexible schedule, with some hours evenings and weekends.

For more information visit the IMC Shows website.

Champaign County Regional Planning Commission Case Aide

(Two Positions Open)

Job Summary:

As a Community Action Agency the CCRPC has successfully assisted low-income individuals in working towards self-sufficiency for over 20 years in our various case management programs.  Our case managers work with low income individuals and families on establishing and working towards goals that will bring them closer to self-sufficiency, connect clients to obtain a wide variety of community resources and public benefits, provide services that support seniors to remain as independent as possible, and participate in developing best practices for case management and program administration.  Members will learn and practice community resources, client interventions, professional ethics, documentation, reporting, and research skills.

For more information, please visit the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission website.

These positions are full-time, with a one year commitment.

For general information on the program, please contact Carol Ammons, AmeriCorps Program Director (carolammons@gmail.com).