AmeriCorps Job Openings
The Salvation Army of Kent County Housing Assessment Program, in coordination with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program, has two full-time positions open that are based in Grand Rapids. The complete job descriptions can be found below. Those interested should email a resume (Word or PDF) to Samantha Westhouse, samantha.westhouse@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program – Member Position Descriptions
Position Title: Housing Search & Information Specialist AmeriCorps Member
Host Site: The Salvation Army Housing Assessment Program
Position Type: Full-Time/1,700 Hours – 35 Hours/Week
Duration of Term: October 4, 2021 – September 30, 2022
Reports to (daily): Samantha Westhouse, AmeriCorps Host Site Supervisor
Samantha.westhouse@usc.salvationarmy.org, 616.454.5840 x 3013
Reports to (overall): MCAH Program Director
Program Objectives:
The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program will support service providers by increasing their capacity to offer assistance and services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families. As an overall program, AmeriCorps members in the program provide direct, comprehensive services to those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in order to bring those individuals under the scope of services, assist with increasing self-sufficiency in the areas of income, life skills, and employment, and assist with obtaining/maintaining employment. Members will fulfill their specific positions, based on the needs of their host site organization, to contribute toward this increased capacity to serve their communities more efficiently and effectively.
Classification:
According to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, AmeriCorps members are not considered employees of the agency where they serve, nor are they employees of the program or the federal government. As such, members cannot engage in activities performed by employees of the host agency or otherwise displace employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with intakes to assess the housing needs of that client
- Address housing barriers for the client
- Create/update lists of available housing for the clients to choose from
- Connect clients with necessary funds to pay for security deposits, rental fees, or utility payments
- Maintain/develop relationships with local landlords
- Receive training for/conduct Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and other housing inspections
- Assist with independent living skills support related to addressing income and housing stabilization needs
- Gather and disperse food and clothing donations to clients
- Facilitate delivery of needed household items to clients who receive housing
- Generate informational materials for clients, such as newsletters/pamphlets/etc.
- Provide follow-up support services as needed
Additional Member Activities:
- Recruit and train a minimum of 20 volunteers during the term of service
- Attend member orientation, monthly CTEH conference calls, webinars, and other events related to CTEH service
- Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration
- Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Signature Service Project
- Attend the program’s orientation, regional, mid-year, and end-of-year trainings
- Plan and implement a service project which helps to address homelessness in their community
- Submit quarterly reports by the appropriate deadlines with all necessary information
Training:
Members are expected to participate in program and host site trainings throughout the service year, as scheduled and requested by the program. Basic training events will include member orientation, mid-year training, and end-year training. The program will also schedule various member conference calls and webinar topics. Host sites will be responsible for conducting an initial on-site orientation and training, as well as provided necessary continued training related to the service activities and professional development. For program-held training events, members will be provided the date and details at least three weeks in advance.
Restrictions:
No more than 20 percent of the member’s total time can be spent on fundraising or training activities.
Principal Working Relationships:
- Host Site Supervisor
- AmeriCorps Program Director
Desired Skills:
- Basic understanding of issues facing people in poverty and crisis with a commitment and desire to assist individuals and families to achieve stability, healthy, wholeness and independence.
- Ability to interact and communicate positively with individuals, colleagues, and collateral agencies.
- Excellent computer and database fluency required.
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong organization skills and ability to follow process and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. and provide a copy of a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card to prove citizenship
- Have completed of some college or comparable work experience
- Must be able to complete a full term of service (one year)
- Pass the following criminal history checks in accordance with CTEH National Service Criminal History Check policy: State of Michigan, DHS Central Registry Clearance, FBI fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Registry
- Have a car or can arrange reliable transportation to and from service site, multiple mandatory training sessions in Lansing, and travel on behalf of site
- Possess proficiency with word processing software and email
- Be able to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds
Compensation:
- A stipend totaling $15,100 for FT, paid bi-weekly over the course of the service year
- Upon successful completion of the term, an education award, $6,345 for FT
- Health insurance, provided for by the program, for full time members only
Position Title: Outreach Specialist AmeriCorps Member
Host Site: The Salvation Army Housing Assessment Program
Position Type: Full-Time/1,700 Hours – 35 Hours/Week
Duration of Term: October 4, 2021 – September 30, 2022
Reports to (daily): Samantha Westhouse, AmeriCorps Host Site Supervisor
Samantha.westhouse@usc.salvationarmy.org, 616.454.5840 x 3013
Reports to (overall): MCAH Program Director
Program Objectives:
The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program will support service providers by increasing their capacity to offer assistance and services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families. As an overall program, AmeriCorps members in the program provide direct, comprehensive services to those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in order to bring those individuals under the scope of services, assist with increasing self-sufficiency in the areas of income, life skills, and employment, and assist with obtaining/maintaining employment. Members will fulfill their specific positions, based on the needs of their host site organization, to contribute toward this increased capacity to serve their communities more efficiently and effectively.
Classification:
According to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, AmeriCorps members are not considered employees of the agency where they serve, nor are they employees of the program or the federal government. As such, members cannot engage in activities performed by employees of the host agency or otherwise displace employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct intakes for the MSHMIS screen process
- Maintain regular contact with other local service providers to make appropriate referrals for clients
- Provide housing information and access to services to those on the streets and not engaged in care
- Link/coordinate with resource specialists for housing resources
- Gather and disperse food and clothing donations to clients
- Link and provide information to mainstream services and benefits (Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, Section 8, TANF, etc.)
- Generate informational materials for clients, such as newsletters/pamphlets/etc.
- Provide follow-up services to outreach clients
Additional Member Activities:
- Recruit and train a minimum of 20 volunteers during the term of service
- Attend member orientation, monthly CTEH conference calls, webinars, and other events related to CTEH service
- Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration
- Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Signature Service Project
- Attend the program’s orientation, regional, mid-year, and end-of-year trainings
- Plan and implement a service project which helps to address homelessness in their community
- Submit quarterly reports by the appropriate deadlines with all necessary information
Training:
Members are expected to participate in program and host site trainings throughout the service year, as scheduled and requested by the program. Basic training events will include member orientation, mid-year training, and end-year training. The program will also schedule various member conference calls and webinar topics. Host sites will be responsible for conducting an initial on-site orientation and training, as well as provided necessary continued training related to the service activities and professional development. For program-held training events, members will be provided the date and details at least three weeks in advance.
Restrictions:
No more than 20 percent of the member’s total time can be spent on fundraising or training activities.
Principal Working Relationships:
- Host Site Supervisor
- AmeriCorps Program Director
Desired Skills:
- Basic understanding of issues facing people in poverty and crisis with a commitment and desire to assist individuals and families to achieve stability, healthy, wholeness and independence.
- Ability to interact and communicate positively with individuals, colleagues, and collateral agencies.
- Excellent computer and database fluency required.
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong organization skills and ability to follow process and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. and provide a copy of a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card to prove citizenship
- Have completed of some college or comparable work experience
- Must be able to complete a full term of service (one year)
- Pass the following criminal history checks in accordance with CTEH National Service Criminal History Check policy: State of Michigan, DHS Central Registry Clearance, FBI fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Registry
- Have a car or can arrange reliable transportation to and from service site, multiple mandatory training sessions in Lansing, and travel on behalf of site
- Possess proficiency with word processing software and email
- Be able to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds
Compensation:
- A stipend totaling $15,100 for FT, paid bi-weekly over the course of the service year
- Upon successful completion of the term, an education award, $6,345 for FT
- Health insurance, provided for by the program, for full time members only