National Manager of AmeriCorps Programs (NMAP)

National Manager of AmeriCorps Programs (NMAP)

Position Description

Are you interested in applying your expertise to the nonprofit sector on a national scale? “I Have A Dream'' Foundation is a national nonprofit supporting a network of affiliates/chapters in nine states, District of Columbia and New Zealand who are serving 3,000 youth and their families from under-resourced communities from ‘1st grade to first job’. If you are excited about making a difference, are a team player, a good writer, creative, and enjoy having fun with committed colleagues, then this is the position for you.

IHDF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Organization Mission and Vision

Founded 45 years ago, the “I Have A Dream” Foundation (IHDF) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower children from under-resourced communities to succeed in school, college, and career by providing academic, social, and emotional support from elementary school through college, along with a guaranteed post-secondary scholarship. Our dream is a world where every child has equal access to the educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential.

Position location

Position is hybrid and can be performed remotely and at the national headquarters in New York City. Some domestic travel required for site visits, including some evenings and weekends.

Compensation & Benefits (FLSA Status: Exempt)

IHDF offers a competitive salary based on the organization’s compensation philosophy, which is grounded in market data. The salary range for this position is $63,000-73,000 depending on qualifications. We also offer comprehensive benefits (medical and dental insurance) and top of the market paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays).

Reporting Relationship

The National Manager of AmeriCorps Programs (NMAP) reports directly to the Senior Director of Programs and Evaluation and collaborates closely with affiliate/chapter leaders, national staff, AmeriCorps representatives, and community partners to advance the growth and sustainability of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation network.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Position Summary

The National Manager of AmeriCorps Programs (NMAP) provides strategic leadership and operational management for the “I Have A Dream” Foundation's National Direct AmeriCorps and National AmeriCorps VISTA programs. This position oversees the implementation of two federal grants that expand educational opportunity, strengthen nonprofit capacity, and increase volunteer engagement in support of the Foundation's mission.

The ACSM is responsible for ensuring full compliance with AmeriCorps regulations while successfully recruiting, training, placing, and supporting 23 National Direct AmeriCorps members and 11 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving across multiple “I Have A Dream” Foundation affiliate/chapter sites and community partners nationwide.

Serving as the Foundation's primary AmeriCorps administrator, the NMAP manages all aspects of grant implementation, member recruitment and support, compliance, reporting, community partnerships, and program evaluation. The position works collaboratively with national staff, affiliate/chapter leadership, host sites, and AmeriCorps representatives to maximize the impact of national service in advancing educational equity and student success.

Essential Responsibilities

AmeriCorps Grant Administration & Compliance (30%)

• Serve as the Foundation's primary administrator for National Direct AmeriCorps and National AmeriCorps VISTA grants.
• Ensure compliance with all AmeriCorps regulations, federal grant requirements, and Foundation policies.
• Serve as the primary liaison with AmeriCorps program officers and federal partners.
• Develop annual implementation plans, service calendars, and grant work plans.
• Monitor performance measures, grant milestones, and deliverables.
• Maintain complete compliance with member eligibility verification, criminal history checks, member files, service documentation, prohibited activities, timekeeping, and grant regulations.
• Coordinate federal monitoring visits, audits, and corrective actions.
• Prepare and submit all required federal reports, continuation applications, and grant amendments.

AmeriCorps Member Recruitment, Placement & Management (25%)

Lead the recruitment, selection, onboarding, supervision, and retention of:

• 23 National Direct AmeriCorps members
• 11 AmeriCorps VISTA members

Responsibilities include:

• Develop annual national recruitment plans.
• Build recruitment partnerships with colleges, universities, workforce agencies, volunteer centers, military transition programs, and community organizations.
• Screen, interview, and recommend candidates for placement.
• Match members with affiliate/chapter sites based on organizational needs and member interests.
• Coordinate onboarding, orientation, and enrollment.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
• Monitor member progress toward successful completion of service terms.
• Coordinate monthly member collaboration (collab) training, recognition and alumni engagement initiatives.

AmeriCorps VISTA Program Management (10%)

• Recruit, place, and support 11 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in capacity-building roles across eight affiliate/chapter organizations and national.
• Collaborate with affiliate/chapter leadership to develop and refine VISTA Assignment Descriptions (VADs).
• Ensure VISTA projects align with anti-poverty objectives and AmeriCorps VISTA regulations.
• Ensure host sites understand and comply with AmeriCorps VISTA requirements and expectations.
• Provide technical assistance to VISTA supervisors regarding member management and compliance.
• Monitor VISTA member progress toward project goals and sustainability outcomes.
• Coordinate required VISTA trainings, supervisor support, and reporting requirements.

Training & Professional Development (10%)

• Design and facilitate orientation for both National Direct AmeriCorps and VISTA members.
• Coordinate ongoing member training throughout each service year.
• Ensure completion of all required AmeriCorps training modules.
• Organize leadership development opportunities.
• Coordinate participation in National Days of Service, including:
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
  • AmeriCorps Week

Community Partnerships & Affiliate/Chapter Support (10%)

• Develop and maintain partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, corporations, and community agencies.
• Serve as liaison between affiliate/chapter sites, host organizations, and national leadership.
• Support affiliate/chapter staff in effectively supervising AmeriCorps and VISTA members.
• Promote volunteerism and national service initiatives throughout the IHDF network.
• Identify opportunities to expand AmeriCorps and VISTA placements.

Grant Performance, Evaluation & Reporting (10%)

• Track all grant performance measures and outcomes.
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Maintain accurate member records and grant documentation.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and end-of-year reports.
• Support continuous quality improvement and program evaluation efforts.

Budget & Fiscal Oversight (5%)

• Monitor AmeriCorps grant budgets and expenditures.
• Coordinate member living allowance administration.
• Support financial reporting and reimbursement requests.
• Ensure compliance with federal cost principles and grant requirements.
• Assist with annual grant budgeting and continuation applications.

Communications & National Service Outreach (5%)

• Promote AmeriCorps and VISTA opportunities through outreach campaigns, presentations, career fairs, and digital communications.
• Highlight member accomplishments and community impact.
• Collaborate with the Foundation's communications team to elevate national service stories and recruitment efforts.
• Represent the Foundation at AmeriCorps meetings, conferences, and partner events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, education, social work, human services, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit program management, grant administration, community engagement, or volunteer management.
• Experience managing federal grants, preferably AmeriCorps or other federally funded programs.
• Demonstrated success recruiting, supervising, and supporting staff, volunteers, or service members.
• Experience managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, data management systems, and virtual collaboration platforms.
• Ability to travel nationally (approximately 15–20%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA member or program leadership experience.
• Experience managing National Direct AmeriCorps and/or AmeriCorps VISTA grants.
• Knowledge of federal grant compliance, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and AmeriCorps regulations.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM/database systems.
• Experience working within youth development, education, college access, or community-based nonprofit organizations.

Performance Expectations

The successful candidate will:

• Recruit and onboard 23 National Direct AmeriCorps members annually.
• Recruit, place, and support 11 AmeriCorps VISTA members annually.
• Achieve at least 90% member retention through successful completion of service terms.
• Meet or exceed all AmeriCorps performance measures and grant objectives.
• Maintain full compliance with National Direct and VISTA regulations, resulting in successful monitoring reviews.
• Submit all federal reports accurately and on time.
• Strengthen partnerships across the Foundation's national affiliate/chapter network.
• Expand awareness and utilization of national service as a strategy for advancing educational opportunity and organizational capacity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred in Nonprofit Management, Education, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit management, program development, network support, AmeriCorps programming, education, or youth-serving organizations.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Strong training, facilitation, and presentation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with data tracking, reporting, and compliance management.

IHDF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance