AmeriCorps Youth Education Specialist

Position Name
Youth Education Specialist AmeriCorps Member
Casa's Mission
To create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working class and immigrant communities.
Moving Forward NoVa
The program is focused on providing a set of financial education and supportive wrap-around family services such as employment placement, pathways to higher education and trades, to support immigrant and low-income people fully engaged in the social systems in Virginia. This project is coordinated and hosted by CASA, funded in part by the AmeriCorps Program and The Virginia Service Commission (VCS).
Host Sites and Locations
Members may be asked to serve at any of the following locations, the main service location for each member will be identified on the individual Service Agreement and the placement will occur based on program needs. Our current service location is down below:
Woodbridge Office: 2359 Research Ct, Woodbridge, VA 22192
Benefits
Full-Time commitment (1700 hours/year):

• Actual biweekly living allowance of $960.
• Member will be entitled to a $6895 education award upon program completion.

Three-Quarter Time Commitment (1200 hours/year)

• Actual biweekly living allowance of $720.
• Member will be entitled to a $4826.50 education award upon program completion.

Half-Time Ccommitment (900 hours/year):

• Actual biweekly living allowance of $480.
• Member will be entitled to a $3,447.50 education award upon program completion.

Quarter-Time Commitment (450 hours/year)

• Actual biweekly living allowance of $240.
• Member will be entitled to $1,824.07. education award upon program completion.

Living allowance will be paid bi-weekly by direct deposit. Individuals may be eligible to have the repayment of their qualified student loans postponed while serving. for forbearance.
CASA offers a variety of free, high-quality training courses on Youth Programming, and Popular Education.
Program Period
The Moving Forward NOVA program launch will launch September 3rd 2024, and will end August 15th, 2025. If there are any positions available after that day, members may start as agreed with the Site Supervisor and Program Director.
Member Position Summary
Mi Espacio is a daily after-school program that combines academic instruction, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) instruction, health and wellness workshops, financial education, career development sessions, and leadership development classes to (a.) provide a productive space for youth to thrive after-school, and (b.) help at-risk youth directly and proactively address challenges of academic achievement and graduation in a culturally and linguistically competent way, focusing on helping these youth improve their academic performance, graduate, and go on to college. Mi Espacio also offers components designed to engage and support parent/guardians, such as "Families United," monthly parent/guardian sessions that reinforce important topics covered in Mi Espacio. To facilitate parental involvement, parents will be given a set of engagement criteria to follow. Parents will also meet virtually or in-person with program staff at least once a month. Provide mentees the opportunity to connect in meaningful ways with someone whose past experience can help them navigate careers and life.
Training and Member Placement
CASA will provide a two-week orientation program at the beginning of the Service Year. Some training will include the Mi Espacio curriculum, college access and financial aid workshops, racial equity, classroom management, and program facilitation. As well as best practices on outreach, record keeping, and other relevant issues. The training includes an overview of National Service, the role of CNCS and the Virgina Service Commission, as well as training on prohibited activities as described by CNCS.
Essential Functions of Position Dependent on Team Assignment

• Recruiting students to participate in the program within the school settings and/or participate in recruitment events
• Deliver educational workshops and activities related to college- and career-readiness, leadership development, civic engagement, health and financial literacy, as well as other life skills training and academic enrichment;
• Lead lessons and activities around the Mi Espacio curriculum in assigned school partnerships. Provide direct support to approximately 20 students each day, including appropriate supervision and assistance during classroom and recreational activities
• Facilitating the Mi Espacio curriculum in target schools
• Connect CASA members to community resources and set up appointments for CASA services
• Plan and implement lessons, activities, guest speakers, and field trips in collaboration with the education coordinator
• Volunteer in classrooms of CASA students in assigned partner high schools to provide classroom/student support, ie: small groups, one-to-one help, etc.
• Conduct outreach through tabling, door-knocking, phone and in-person opportunities
• Collaborate with and provide consistent feedback to parents, teachers, school staff, and other youth education specialist AmeriCorps members regarding students' success and program results
• Perform intakes for CASA services, gather information & maintain up-to-date information about partners and community resources to provide to community members.
• Provide individual mentorship and support to program participants;
• Facilitating multiracial safe-space conversations and other activities intended to improve school climate;
• Administering pre- and post-tests and tracking all program participation
• Achieve and track program goals in close collaboration with program staff by collecting and maintaining student
• files and program data
• Participate in CASA community and internal events
• Prepare taxes for program participants during the tax season and receive IRS certification
• Conduct financial literacy interventions
• Interact and communicate with parents, volunteers, visitors, and community organizations in accordance with CASA's values.
• Participate in relevant topic- and skill-based trainings and provide input into training and professional development sessions that would benefit larger AmeriCorps team
• Comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and agreements of the organization and AmeriCorps
• Assist with ESOL class registrations, events and workshops
• Assist with enrollment health insurance applications, financial literacy interventions, education workshops and support groups

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• The ideal candidate will be motivated, responsible, disciplined, loyal, and comfortable working independently and within a team setting.
• Must have the ability to exercise good judgment. The position requires excellent writing skills, phone etiquette.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred
• Computer literacy (Windows or Linux environment) and basic Google Sheets / Excel skills and ability to adapt to software.
• Experience performing duties in multicultural environments.
• Highly organized and efficient, "can-do" attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative.
• Passionate about investing in the growth and potential of historically underserved students
• Good at managing your time and projects
• Access to personal transportation.
• Fast learner.
• Some knowledge of popular education is preferred.

Other Requirements

• Ability to perform all of the duties outlined above.
• A high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain one during the service year.
• Associates degree or higher preferred.
• U.S. Citizen or U.S. Legal Permanent Resident (recently naturalized citizens are encouraged to apply).
• At least 17 years old.
• Pass a national service criminal history check of the national sex-offender registry, state repository check (Virginia and state of residence), and FBI fingerprint check, before starting national service.
• Express commitment to complete one full year of National Service.
• COVID-19 vaccination: CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective July 1, 2021 requiring COVID-19 vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or appropriate medical/religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or appropriate medical/religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.

Days and Hours of Service
Regular service time will occur Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Some evening and weekend service is required.
Individual schedules are agreed by the AmeriCorp member and the Program Supervisor at the beginning of the program. The schedule may be changed upon agreement, based on program- or member's need.

• Full-time AmeriCorps members : Serve approximately 40 hours per week
• Three Quarter Time AmeriCorps members : Serve approximately 30 hours per week
• Part-time AmeriCorps members :Serve approximately 25 hours per week
• Quarter-time AmeriCorps members :Serve approximately 8 hours a week

Selection Process
To be considered for the Moving Forward NOVA program, interested individuals must submit a current resume to CASA's ADP system through the portal. Program staff will review the application, request an interview and application (if appropriate), conduct three reference checks, and match a potential applicant with a host site. Individuals will not be allowed to start orientation or be enrolled in the program until all appropriate background checks and paperwork is received by CASA. This is a competitive process for selection in the cohort, applicant's responsiveness and preparation is taken into consideration when selecting program participants. The position is not a reassignment from a previous host site or agency.
Contact
For more information about the program, contact: or at 571-421-3995