Job Description

Position Summary

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Contract dates

: May 27, 2025 - August 2, 2025 (10 Week Contract);


300 Hours Contract - Minimum of 35 hours/week

Compensation: Living Allowance Total:

$3,900 ($780.00 every 2 weeks over 10 weeks) + Education Award: $1,565.08

Opening Date:

February 21, 2025

Closing Date

:

June 3, 2025

Description:

AmeriCorps is a national service program that takes a different approach to improve lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps Members commit their time to address critical community needs. In Dubuque, AmeriCorps Members serve at the intersection of education and mental health to help youth understand their emotions, reactions, and relationships through social-emotional learning to improve academic, career, and social success. City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Members implement key skill-building program to have the following impacts:

Youth experience programs promoting healthy lifestyles resulting in decreased youth risk-related behaviors. Youth development skills to build meaningful and healthy relationships while experiencing inclusion and belonging. Providing every young person with the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future.

The Summer Playground Enrichment Specialists are a team of AmeriCorps Members that will serve at rotating locations to provide enrichment activities to underserved youth in Dubuque. Members will develop activities around Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Music, and Math and deliver the activities to youth between the ages of 7 - 12.

Benefits:

Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service. Living Allowance Childcare coverage if the member qualifies Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans

Job Duties

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Service Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Playground Coordinator to provide programming and outreach to

the Parks and Recreation

Playgrounds; fo

cused

on providing

a drug

-free, educational,

nurturing

and safe supervised en

vironments for community youth

:

Design and deliver a comprehensive and engaging program curricula that focuses on STREAM, community engagement, education and positive social skill development for students during the summer program. Implement age-appropriate activities, workshops, and lessons that foster 8 key competencies: self awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, personal responsibility, goal directed
behavior, decision-making and optimistic thinking.
Adapt curriculum materials to meet the unique needs and interests of the students in the summer program.

Foster a positive and inclusive environment:

Create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive atmosphere where students feel comfortable exploring and expressing their emotions. Implement team-building activities, ice breakers, and cooperative games to foster positive relationships and community. Promote a sense of belonging and community by encouraging positive behavior, facilitating collaborative projects, and mutual respect among students.Model constructive participation in all daily activities.

Provide individual and group support:

Individual and small-group service to children with disabilities who are having difficulty participating in the program. Offer guidance and support to help students develop coping strategies, navigate social interactions, and build resilience. Attend field trip activities to enhance child safety;as well as expand upon the child's knowledge of community resources.

Disaster Response (AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Team)

Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure the member has knowledge and ability to respond to disasters. Complete other training necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training.

Qualifications

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Physical Requirements:

Walk and carry materials up and down steps. Stand and walk for extended periods of time. Lift 30 pounds. Bend, squat and kneel.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

Must be competent in working with at-risk youth, teenaged youth, and marginalized populations. Applicant must have reliable transportation. Applicant must be creative, energetic, dependable and a self-starter.

Eligibility Criteria:

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent OR agree to obtain one while under service to the AmeriCorps Program Be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit). Pass a national service criminal history check prior to first day of service due to reoccurring access to vulnerable populations. Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident.

Supplemental Information

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Service Schedule

:



The Summer Playground Enrichment Specialist's typical schedule: Mon - Friday: Serve between the hours of 8:30am - 3:30pm.Opportunities for weekend hours or special events may become available during the year.


Example schedule for illustrative purposes:

Monday: 8:30am - 3:30pm Tuesday: 8:30am - 3:30pm Wednesday: 8:30am - 3:30pm Thursday: 8:30am - 3:30pm Friday: 8:30am - 3:30pm Saturday: Off Sunday: Off
Sick leave, personal leave, and holiday leave is allowed, but such time off does not count towards the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.


Disaster Deployments: Member who opt-in to be engaged in disaster deployment/activities will need to ensure availability for the term of the disaster deployments, generally 2-4 weeks. Make plans for pets, family members, other employment and responsibilities that need regular attention.

Evaluations and Alternative Service:

AmeriCorps Members are required by the program to complete Self-Evaluations.

End-Term Evaluations:

Upon the completion of their AmeriCorps Contract, all members will complete an End-Term Evaluation through AmericaLearns. The End-Term Evaluation must be completed, signed, and submitted to the AmeriCorps Program within 30 days of the member's final date of service. Non-submission of this document within the 30-day timeframe will lead to the member being exited for cause (see section 9 of the Member Service Agreement) and will forfeit the member's right to the Education Award.


Members may engage in other allowable activities that are not specifically outlined in the position description, but that support the AmeriCorps program design, and which will help the Program meet its goals. Under no circumstances will members be asked to perform prohibited activities. Volunteers recruited and/or managed by AmeriCorps members will not participate in prohibited activities as outlined in the approved grant application.

Our Commitment to You

We are committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities. The City of Dubuque values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.