Employment Coach AmeriCorps Member

Position Description | Half-time, 900 Hours

Department: Career Center

Reports to: Employment Services Coordinator, Thomas Greifenstein

Position Type: In-Person, Half-Time term (900 Hours), 40 hours per week

Service Location: Our House 302 E. Roosevelt Road Little Rock, AR 72206

About Our House

Our House empowers homeless and near-homeless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce, in school, and in life through hard work, wise decision-making, and active participation in the community. The Our House team has defined a set of seven Guiding Principles that characterize our culture and that we intentionally seek to uphold: Hard Work, Wise Decision-Making, Community, Initiative, Integrity, Safety, and Heart.

Service Position Summary

The Employment Coach AmeriCorps Member will serve in Our House’s Career Center, which works with over 3,000 adults each year through employment and training services, adult education, and resource navigation. The Employment Coach AmeriCorps Member will serve to expand employment and wrap-around services for clients. They will support unemployed and underemployed individuals with barriers to employment, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to find jobs, succeed in jobs, move up the job ladder, and achieve long-term personal and family goals.

The Employment Coach AmeriCorps Member will serve to meet established outcomes goals for Our House's AmeriCorps project, including providing hands-on support to 1,000 Career Center clients to help them meet their professional and personal goals; and successfully connect 450 unemployed and underemployed individuals with jobs.

The Career Center team runs the Our House Resource Hotline, which provides over-the-phone coaching and resource referrals to callers. The following position responsibilities include in-person activities at the Career Center and virtual activities while serving remotely with approval.

Essential Functions of Position

• Coach clients through every aspect of the job search process: creating an email account, building a resume, navigating internet searches, applying for jobs, practicing job interviews, addressing barriers to employment, and job retention.
• Identify employment opportunities for clients of the Career Center and update the Our House Job Board with details about employment opportunities.
• Refer clients to wrap-around services that support long-term employment retention, including accessing public benefits, transportation assistance, professional clothing, mental health and substance use services, and family support services. 
• Use the client database to accurately track, record, and report participant employment, wage, job status changes, and other related data.
• Sign up for shifts on the Resource Hotline, which provides remote support to callers: 
• Answer client calls and make referrals to Our House and community resources. 
• Create appointments for callers wishing to visit the Career Center in person.
• Update the local resources to provide clients with accurate information. 
• Serve collaboratively with other AmeriCorps members, VISTA volunteers, and staff members to implement programs, achieve and track outcomes, and other activities to benefit the clients and programs of Our House.
• Participate in AmeriCorps Days of Service and additional service projects as approved by the program director.
• Attend Our House National Service Meetings led by the Human Resources/National Service team. 
• Attend weekly Our House team meetings and other meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• All members will undergo all required criminal history checks: NSOPW, FBI, and Arkansas State Police, as well as other states, as necessary. 

The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Marginal Functions of Position

• When called upon, members may be asked to support disaster response and/or recovery efforts as needed by the State of Arkansas.
• Community Outreach Activities: Members may engage in activities that directly support the AmeriCorps Program. For example, assist with member recruitment; assist with public relations to introduce the AmeriCorps program to the community and develop community partnerships; and assist with efforts to build a culture of service in Arkansas.

This position does not duplicate the work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in force, or an employee who is on leave. 

AmeriCorps Eligibility: AmeriCorps eligibility requires that participants must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; be high school graduates, GED recipients, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service; and satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: The Child Development AmeriCorps Member will be thoroughly committed to Our House’s mission. All candidates must enjoy working with children, have a positive attitude, and serve as role models for the children in the program. 

Other Requirements: AmeriCorps members serving at Our House must be vaccinated against COVID-19, willing to get vaccinated upon acceptance of the position, or meet the legal requirements for an exemption. 

Academic and Experience Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required; a background in career development and/or relevant college courses preferred.

Service Conditions:  This service is performed indoors and outdoors. 

Commitment Required: 40 hours a week for a six (6) month term beginning February 26, 2024, to August 23, 2024, for a minimum of 900 hours.

Orientation and Training

• On-site Our House orientation 
• First Aid/CPR
• Crisis Intervention Training
• Any other training deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or Program Director

AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• Living Allowance of $8,776 over the term of service 
• $3,697.50 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term 
• Healthcare coverage 
• Student Loan forbearance

Evaluation and Reporting

AmeriCorps Members will participate in mid-term and end-of-term evaluations and reviews. AmeriCorps Members will submit their hours on a bi-weekly basis, write quarterly reflections, and attend monthly meetings. 

For more information:

• Paige Krueger, National Service Program Manager 501-374-7383 ext. 168
• For more information about AmeriCorps State and National, go to www.americorps.gov

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service.

Updated January 2024