AmeriCorps Youth Survival Educator

PURPOSE

Sitka AmeriCorps Program’s mission is to mitigate the effects of high adverse childhood experience (ACEs) scores prevalent in rural Alaskan communities. We aim to do this through the formation of developmental relationships. These relationships are built through offering enrichment activities, academic support, mentoring, mental health and life skills support, and capacity building.

AmeriCorps volunteers serve an average of 40 hours per week in direct service roles, including as tutors, mentors, outreach workers and community organizers.

Members live in intentional communities with other members, sharing the responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, and finances. Members are encouraged to perform ten percent of their total service hours engaged in service activities outside their primary placement. 

Through service, members often become active in local clubs, faith community, support groups and our tribal community. and earning more about the joys and challenges of the community in which they serve.

ABOUT SERVE ALASKA AND AMERICORPS:

Serve Alaska promotes and supports volunteerism across the state and brings AmeriCorps programs to Alaska. It is overseen by no fewer than 15 and no more than 25 voting Commission members appointed by the Governor. The Serve Alaska sub-grantees operate in almost every region of the state, bringing much needed support and training to rural and urban Alaska. Serve Alaska is housed within the Division for Community and Regional Affairs and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development at the State of Alaska. 

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

POSITION SUMMARY

The mission of Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA)is to reduce injury and death in the marine and freshwater environment through education and training provided by a network of qualified marine safety instructors. 

In Southeast Alaska, many of us work, live, and recreate on the water. While many Southeast Alaska youths enjoy this way of life, it also means that they face constantly changing risks and hazards. Training school aged children in this region is critical for increasing their chance of survival in an emergency. Training youth is also key in improving marine safety culture to reduce marine fatalities locally and globally. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Assist, coordinate, and teach marine safety programs for youth in Sitka (and occasionally outside of Sitka if you have the desire to travel). 
  • Curricula includes but is not limited to age-appropriate cold-water safety and survival, shore survival, shelter building, radio use, emergency signals, personal and vessel survival kit building, and fire starting.
  • Grade range includes but is not limited to 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, 7th grade, and high school students.
• Coordinate training with schools, youth organizations, and AMSEA instructors. 
• Coordinate with volunteers including recruitment, training, and follow-up after the training. 

Other duties related to AMSEA’s mission such as:

• Assist with other Sitka classes such as Recreational Boating, First Aid, and Commercial Fishing Drill Conductor Classes.
• Data entry of trainee information pre/post class.
• Assist in training gear maintenance, scheduling, and inventory check in/out. 

Expectations:

• Serve as a marine safety role model in the community (and on social media).
• Follow AMSEA’s policies and procedures.
• Maintain a positive relationship with the public and co-workers.
• Report needs, progress, or problems to the Program Manager or Executive Director.

POSITION SUPERVISION

Sarah Lawrie, Program Director, Sitka AmeriCorps Program

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS 

Position may require driving, you will need a valid Driver’s License and clean driving record.

Prefer degree in Education or Wilderness Education

AmeriCorps member position description follows the requirements related to supplementation, duplication or displacement of staff as outlined in 45 CFR §2540.100 (e) – (f).

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain student confidentiality, meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service

Have a high school diploma or its equivalent

Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

Member will undergo National Criminal History Check as outlined in 45 CFR §2522.202.

TERM OF SERVICE

This is a full-time twelve-month position.  1700 hour minimum. Members will serve between 36 and 40 hours per week.

Members have sufficient opportunity to fulfill the term of service including holidays, time off, and missed hours.

Members will dedicate 5 to 10 hours of service to recruitment efforts for the Sitka AmeriCorps Program. 

Members are encouraged to consider a second year of AmeriCorps service and will receive a second Education Award. 

Members will also receive a monetary bonus for committing to a second term.

PROGRAM TIME REQUIREMENTS

Members will be released from their primary service site for three mandatory national days of service.  The days are 9-11Day of Remembrance, MLK Jr Day, and a third day TBA in the Spring.

Members will attend mandatory individual and group meetings monthly.  Members will be hosted at a mandatory all member meeting in Anchorage hosted by Serve Alaska.

Member training hours meet the requirements of 45 CFR§2520.50.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

Member orientation to the Sitka AmeriCorps program is provided by program staff upon arrival. Orientation introduces AmeriCorps, the Sitka AmeriCorps Program and Sitka, Alaska.

Monthly team building and training sessions are provided.  These include all AmeriCorps members.

Monthly individual support meetings are provided and can be expected weekly with the host site mentor.

Orientation, training, and professional development will be provided by the host site mentor and be specific to host site placement.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

Classroom management

Behavior regulation

Instruction planning

Organization

Time Management

Communication

Advocacy

Leadership

BENEFITS

The Sitka AmeriCorps Program gives young leaders the tools and resources they need to take on some of the world’s most difficult challenges. Our volunteers bring a dedication to the cause of justice and the courage to transform themselves and the communities they serve. We help them discover how to put this passion to work for life.

Through our program design, members will be part of a tight knit cohort that create a positive and lasting ripple effect in a rural community. 

Members will gain job skills, networking opportunities, and engage in professional development in their field of interest. 

Over one third of members gain employment at their service site.

Other benefits of the AmeriCorps Program include:

-Monthly living allowance

-The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

-Student loan forbearance

-Healthcare

Benefits available for AmeriCorps alumni: http://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni.

https://www.americorpsalums.org/default.aspx

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/641/what-public-service-loan-forgiveness.html.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of $ 6,985.00 upon successful completion of the term of service. (AC V.B.3)

Amount of the living allowance will be $1,700.00  per month before tax. (AC VIII.A)

Member will be provided the option of healthcare coverage. (AC VIII.D)

Member will be provided the option of childcare coverage, if the member qualifies (AC VIII.E and 45 §CFR 2522.250)

Student loan forbearance and interest payments if the member qualifies (FAQ G.7)

EVALUATION AND REPORTING 

Member performance evaluation requirements (AC V.E)

Member will receive professional development guidance from host site mentor

Member will be formally evaluated twice annually by host site mentor

Member will submit monthly qualitative and quantitative reporting to Program Director

Member will submit monthly time sheet

SERVING CONDITIONS

Ability to life 20 lbs. occasionally

Ability to traverse daily in adverse weather conditions

Ability to maintain an appropriate service pace

Ability to perform assigned tasks

Ability to comprehend and follow instructions

Ability to perform complex or varied tasks                                                                

Ability to relate to other staff and youth                                                     

Ability to influence and direct youth