AmeriCorps Summer Teen Empowerment Specialist

Opening Date: January 3, 2024

Closing Date: June 4, 2024

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:

(1) Youth experience programs promoting healthy lifestyles resulting in decreased youth risk-related behaviors.

(2) Youth development skills to build meaningful and healthy relationships while experiencing inclusion and belonging.

(3) Providing every young person with the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future.

The AmeriCorps Summer Teen Empowerment Specialists are a team of AmeriCorps Members that serve in two teams at the Multicultural Family Center, in the Summer Teen Empowerment Program (STEP) and the Summer Teen Empowerment Nights (STEN). These members serve alongside MFC Staff (Teen Empowerment Coordinator & Teen Night Manager) and Full-Time AmeriCorps Members (the Teen Engagement Specialist & Academic Advocate) to provide community engagement and skill-building programming. The Summer Teen Empowerment Specialist focuses on supporting youth from marginalized communities, helping them navigate their summer in meaningful ways.

The Specialists will facilitate STEP & STEN programming for middle/high school students, build relationships with youth and their families, connect talents and interests to potential careers, and create sustainable support systems within the community.

• Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service.

• Living Allowance

• Health care

• Childcare coverage if the member qualifies

• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans

Service Responsibilities:

1. Program Development and Implementation:

a. Collaborate with the Teen Empowerment Coordinator and Teen Night Manager to develop and implement engaging programming and outreach initiatives for teen-aged youth in the Dubuque community.

b. Develop and implement weekly programs for groups of approximately 40-50 students.

c. Implement program curricula that focus on community engagement, healthy choices, and positive social skill development for teenagers.

d. Collaborate closely with the Teen Engagement Specialist & Academic Advocate to develop individualized success plans for program participants focus on individual needs/supports. IE: Social-Emotional Learning, College & Career Support, Healthy Habits, Life-skills, Academic Support.

e. Plan and facilitate activities that engage teenagers, promote learning, and foster a sense of belonging and community.

f. Recruit and engage youth to participate in Teen Empowerment Programs throughout the summer.

2. Teen Coaching and Support:

a. Coach teenagers on appropriate behaviors, conflict management, de-escalation and self-regulation practices.

b. Provide guidance and mentorship to teens during activities, programs, and events.

c. Encourage academic engagement, recreational participation, and positive peer interactions among at-risk youth.

d. Carry out developmental activities that promote skill-building in areas such as such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, personal responsibility, goal directed behavior, decision-making and optimistic thinking.

e. Create opportunities for teens to enhance their social, emotional, and life skills through workshops, discussions, and experiential learning activities.

3. Volunteer Management:

a. Recruit, manage, monitor, train, and document volunteer involvement with teen programming.

b. Coordinate with volunteers to support the implementation of activities and ensure a safe and supportive environment for participants.

c. Collaborate with local colleges and community leaders to recruit volunteers and mentor to support Teen Empowerment programming throughout the school year and summer months.

4. Impact Assessment and Documentation:

a. Document and maintain records of the impact on area youth who participate in the teen empowerment programs through weekly data reporting processes.

b. Collect data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

c. Conduct the DESSA assessments to measure students' social-emotional competencies.

5. Disaster Response (AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Team)

a. Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure the member has knowledge and ability to respond to disasters

b. 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.

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, marginalized populations and discussing topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

• 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

Service Schedule:

The Summer Teen Empowerment Specialists’ scheduled hours may fluctuate based on Teen Programming scheduled throughout the summer.

STEP Typical schedule: Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm, Friday: 9am - 2pm.

STEN Typical schedule: Mon - Thurs: 1pm - 9pm, Friday: 10am - 3pm.

Opportunities for weekend hours or special events may become available during the summer.

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

The City of Dubuque provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. The City of Dubuque encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.