The Steel Yard and Local Initiatives Support Corporation are seeking a quarter-time
AmeriCorps member to serve as a Community Engagement Coordinator. The candidate will ideally begin service on June 1, 2017 and serve a minimum of 450 hours though the end of his/her term on September 30, 2017.
ORGANZIATION BACKGROUNDS
The Steel Yard maintains a large industrial site that as become one of the most unique out-door venues and gathering spaces for the community in Rhode Island. As part of our continued development we have had the chance to engage several diverse non-profit organizations and offer partnership for free and low-cost events at our facility. As we’ve grown demand for our space has grown too. With the addition of a community engagement position it is our belief we can engage the families and neighbors in these community building events and better serve the community we are part of.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is dedicated to helping community residents transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity — good places to work, do business and raise children. LISC combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources to help community-based organizations revitalize underserved neighborhoods. This strategy extends to the LISC AmeriCorps program where we support placing AmeriCorps Members with local non-profit partners. Members assist in efforts to revitalize underserved neighborhoods across America and create vibrant places for people to live, work, and play.
AMERICORPS MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Community Engagement Coordinator will focus on informing new and diverse audiences about opportunities at the Steel Yard. They will be on the ground in the neighborhood meeting and inviting communities to join in events and educational programs as well as being a face of the organization helping with the hands-on aspects of preparing for, supporting and managing community events. Key responsibilities will include working with Events Director at the Yard to ensure positive, inclusive and community driven success for and during community events.
Event production duties for the position will support the two major parts of organizational engagement, event planning and event execution. On the planning side, the role of the Community Engagement Coordinator is to
cultivate community partnerships, support a safe and professional event experience at The Steel Yard for all renters and community partners, and to help senior event staff navigate various city and state institutions for procuring necessary licenses and permits for all Steel Yard events.
On the day of the event it is the role of the Community Engagement Coordinator to facilitate deliveries of materials and human services for the event being hosted at The Steel Yard including, caterers, tent rentals, music or sound, lighting, vendors, police detail, fire detail, security, and valley services. During the event the community engagement person will support event staff and steel yard staff in the oversight and execution of community activities. This will include working collaboratively with volunteers, community members or senior staff on assigned tasks.
Overall it will be the Community Engagement Coordinator’s job to support event production at the Steel Yard
and to increase attendance from local communities to the free and low-cost events being produced at the Steel
Yard.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Members perform day to day service at the Steel Yard and are expected to attend and participate in all LISC
AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:
– Attending all locally sponsored monthly meetings;
– Participating in nationally sponsored webinars;
– Actively participating in locally identified and team coordinated service projects; and,
– Engaging in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC office
This is an AmeriCorps position. LISC and the Steel Yard will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member.
DESIRED SKILLS
– Enthusiasm to work with neighbors and community groups
– Friendly and excited to meet new people
– Interest in becoming an active Steel Yard community member
– Interest in event planning and production, party planning and community building
– Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
– Ability to work independently and in a team environment
– Computer skills
– Good written and oral communication skills
– Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate must meet all eligibility requirements
to serve as a National Service participant including but not limited to:
– Be eligible to earn 100% of a quarter-time education award
– Be eligible to perform a term of national service
– Possess a high school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED during the term of service
– Be at least 17 years of age (note there is no upper age limit)
– Have unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by CNCS
– Be able to complete at least 450 hours of service within the term of service noted above as well as serve for the full time of the term
NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH REQUIREMENT
If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. Only candidates who are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of First Degree Murder may not participate as an AmeriCorps member. Only candidates being offered and then accepting the position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, a State Level Criminal History Search and an FBI search. Consent is provided via the LISC AmeriCorps application.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $1,527.45 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. The position pays a total stipend of $4,000 from the Steel Yard. The stipend is taxable and paid in 10 equal checks of $400.
RESUMES SHOULD BE SENT TO:
Howie Sneider
Executive Director
The Steel Yard
27 Sims Ave.
Providence, RI 02909
jobs@thesteelyard.org
We promote equal opportunity in selecting AmeriCorps members.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.