CASA’s centers “Mi Espacio” after school program, and standalone college and career exploration after school program sites. They will implement the Escalera college prep curriculum during weekly after school classes with students, and will also participate in-home visits and follow up meetings with students and their parents where necessary. Members will also provide workshops to high school and middle school students who fall outside of the target schools regarding the college application process, financial aid, career exploration, and enrichment lessons.

Required Training Prior to Member Placement

CASA will provide a two (2) week orientation program at the beginning of the Service Year. The Training will include financial education and naturalization content, as well as best practices on outreach, record keeping, and other relevant issues.

The training includes an overview of National Service, the role of CNCS and the Pennsylvania’s PennSERVE, as well as training on prohibited activities as described by CNCS.

CASA will provide a two (2) week orientation program at the beginning of the Service Year. Some trainings will include the Escalera curriculum, college access and financial aid workshops, racial equity, classroom management, and program facilitation. as well as best practices on outreach, record keeping, and other relevant issues.

Access to Vulnerable Populations

AmeriCorps member serving on this position has recurring access to vulnerable populations as described by CNCS.

Member Impact

Members will assist program participants in advancing to high school, graduating from high school, completing an internship, applying to college, choosing a career pathway, and seeking financial aid, where relevant. Members will also help participants to build their leadership skills, develop their self-confidence, problem solving abilities, and engage parents into the students’ academic and higher education experience.

Members will be evaluated about outcomes such as number of students who participate in the Mi Espacio, or Parents as Teachers program and in college access workshops and outputs such as how many of those participants graduate from high school, apply for financial aid, apply to multiple colleges, and are accepted into college, or successfully complete a summer internship and increase in parent engagement. Members will also be evaluated on their soft multiple-skills required in every job environment, such as public speaking, learning will, teamwork, communication, and professionalism.

Essential Functions of Position

• Recruiting students to participate in the program.
• Facilitating the Escalera curriculum in target schools.
• Conducting individual home visits and goal-setting sessions with families at the beginning of the school year.
• Delivering educational workshops and activities related to college and career readiness, leadership development and civic engagement, and health and financial literacy, as well as other life skills training and academic enrichment.
• Developing and leading community service activities and field trips for participants.
• Providing individual mentorship and support to program participants.
• Develop internship opportunities and connecting program participants to these opportunities.
• Facilitating multiracial safe-space conversations and other activities intended to improve school climate.
• Providing referral to other services as appropriate. And
• Administering pre- and post-tests and tracking all program participation.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience performing duties in multicultural environments.
• Excellent English writing and language skills (bilingual in Spanish, French, Korean, Mandarin, Thai, or Hindi preferred).
• Highly organized and efficient, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative.
• Access to personal transportation.
• Fast learner.
• Some knowledge of popular education preferred.

Required Academic and Experience Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain one during the service year.
• Associates degree or higher preferred.
• Information Gathering.

1. Strengthen and develop.
2. organizational partnerships with high schools in the service area.
3. Conduct needs assessments and provide community education within service area.
4. Update organizational databases based on activities conducted.

• Community involvement/Leadership Development/Volunteer Management

1. Develop volunteer opportunities related to after school programing
2. Train and coordinate volunteers to participate in financial aide workshops
3. Reach out other community organizations to offer program’s services to their constituents.
4. Note: The AmeriCorps member will not be allowed to perform duties that violate the AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities or fall outside of the program goals.

Other Required Qualifications

• Ability to perform all of the duties outlined above.
• U.S. Citizen or U.S. Legal Permanent Resident (recently naturalized citizens are encouraged to apply).
• At least 17 years old.
• Pass a national service criminal history check of the national sex-offender registry, state repository checks (Pennsylvania and state of residence), and FBI fingerprint check, before starting national service.
• Express commitment to complete one (1) year of National Service.