Education Programs Associate, BAYAC AmeriCorps

Are you excited to work with youth to develop their writing skills? Are you eager to give back to your community and learn about nonprofits? This opportunity is an 11-month, full-time AmeriCorps service position (40+ hours/week), through the Bay Area Youth Agency Consortium (BAYAC), a program of Bay Area Community Resources (BACR). We’re hiring 12 AmeriCorps members to support various 826 Valencia programs starting mid-August 2024. 

AmeriCorps members work closely with 826 Valencia staff, volunteers, and youth to support students with writing and amplify their voices as published authors. The ideal candidates love working with youth, believe that every young person can achieve at the highest level, and will do their best to provide the necessary academic support. We are looking for candidates who are committed to learning and growing, are interested in service, and can persevere through challenges in pursuit of improved outcomes for the students we serve. 

Position Snapshot

• Serve as a writing tutor to Bay Area youth who live in under-resourced communities
• Help amplify student voices through publishing projects
• Work as part of a team, including administrative tasks

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Programs Associate reports to a Programs Manager or Programs Director, depending on the team.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Tutor and mentor students in order to improve their writing skills, confidence, and pride; maintain student safety through positive behavior management
• Build relationships with volunteer tutors and provide ongoing guidance and feedback on their tutoring practice; escalate situations to the attention of 826 Valencia staff as needed
• Curate and copyedit student writing using 826 Valencia style guides; consistently honor student voice
• Track student and volunteer data in Salesforce, including attendance and program hours; track hours in the AmeriCorps system and follow BAYAC protocols
• Actively participate in 826 Valencia meetings, performance appraisal systems, and other work events to develop professional skills, gain a well-rounded experience of nonprofit work, and contribute to organization-wide initiatives
• Attend BAYAC AmeriCorps Team Days 2-3 times a month, plus all other required professional development BAYAC activities, including Days of Service with regional cohort of youth educators
• Complete an optional learning project on an area of interest that meets an organizational need and/or participate in an optional 826 Valencia Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

committee 

• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent (bachelor’s degree preferred)
• Prior work or volunteer experience with youth from under-resourced communities (preferred)
• Able to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols while in Writing Centers, at schools sites, or at work events
• Able to complete the BAYAC application, a background check and Tuberculosis screening, and provide documentation of status as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident 
• We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, but cannot host any service member with a record that includes a conviction of a serious or violent felony, sexual offense, or controlled substance offense
• Facility with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and Zoom (preferred)
• Any fluency level in spoken and/or written Spanish, Chinese, or Arabic (preferred)
• Familiarity or ties with the communities that 826 Valencia serves

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Strong organizational skills and adaptability; able to handle multiple tasks and contribute to a variety of projects at once
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Able to work with a diverse student population and staff, and communicate authentically and respectfully to resolve conflict across lines of difference
• Excellent interpersonal skills and team-oriented attitude 
• Able to manage work independently, ensuring high quality and timely delivery, and able to  adjust work accordingly to incorporate others’ perspectives
• Openly and regularly communicate information about progress toward goals with supervisor and team, and contribute to a culture of giving and receiving input
• Demonstrate awareness of feelings, thoughts and behaviors, and their impact on others, and seek to understand strengths and limitations
• Able to manage stressors during the year of service and communicate needs proactively to supervisor

OTHER DETAILS

This 11-month AmeriCorps service position lasts from August 19, 2024, to July 15, 2025, through the Bay Area Youth Agency Consortium (BAYAC). Programs Associates are not 826 Valencia employees and they serve on a full-time basis (40+ hours per week, Monday to Friday), with some evening or weekend hours. Schedules vary depending on the specific role. Programs Associates are based out of one of our three Writing Centers in San Francisco, some roles with substantial time at various school sites. Candidates must be located in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area, and be able to work in an open-office environment where there may be substantial ambient noise and overheard conversations.

BENEFITS THROUGH BAY AREA COMMUNITY RESOURES (BACR)

• $2,727 monthly living allowance that does not affect eligibility for work-study, any other federal student aid, or other federal need-based programs such as food stamps, Section 8 housing, or public housing 
• $10,000 combined education award granted upon completing a year of service (1,700 hours), to be used on college, trade school, or other educational expenses
• Forbearance on most existing student loans (AmeriCorps members do not have to make any payments while in service). 
• Upon successful completion of the service term, the National Service Trust will pay the interest that accrued on any student loans during the service year 
• Health insurance and access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Workers compensation insurance
• Subsidized childcare for eligible members

BENEFITS FROM 826 VALENCIA

• Additional $364 monthly stipend 
• $75 monthly commute reimbursement for public transit, parking, and/or shared ride expenses
• Support applying for CalFresh, if eligible
• Relocation support may be available for moving to California from another state
• 40% discount on any purchases at 826 Valencia Stores
• AmeriCorps Associates who wish to enroll their children in our programs may, as long as this does not displace our focal program participants
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