AmeriCorps Community Engagement Specialist

The AmeriCorps Community Engagement Specialist will work with the Madison High School’s Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program, run by IRCO, to improve the lives of children, their families and the community through partnering with local school communities to extend the school day and develop schools as "community centers" in their neighborhoods. This positions aim is to increase involvement of families, students and the greater community in SUN. The AmeriCorps Member will also be responsible for recruiting volunteers and soliciting donations, both cash and in-kind, that will allow the SUN program to grow and more holistically serve our community. Most duties are applicable to the summer AmeriCorps position, but some will only be performed by a year-round Member, which is pending approval. Typical duties include:

-Serve as instructor for Summer Programs and chaperone for fieldtrips and events, -Responsible in sharing success with general community and finding ways to integrate local businesses and partners into summer programming in ways that will last into the school year. -Outreach and recruit to traditionally underserved children/youth students and coordinate efforts to communicate with parents and inform them of the program and application process, -Assist in creating and or facilitating further relationships between feeder schools and finding ways to connect students with extended day classes and clubs during the school year. -Outreach to families to volunteer/get involved in SUN, to local businesses to donate/get involved in SUN, -Create adult programming and work with Site Manager to staff classes; Teach adult and/or youth classes, -Create partnerships with local businesses, community organizations and local service providers, -Organize events & gatherings (e.g. family nights, registration events, cultural celebrations, showcase events), -Conduct a family/community needs assessment survey, -Refer families to other community resources, SUN Service System resources/programs -Work with Site Manager to design, implement volunteer recruitment strategy and recruitment timeline, -Track volunteer information and activities in volunteer database, -Attend AmeriCorps-sponsored orientation, trainings and meetings and complete and submit all AmeriCorps timesheets, paperwork and reports and -Data collection and database maintenance. SCHEDULE:

Various – mostly afternoons, evenings

LOCATION:

Madison High School: 2735 NE 82nd Ave Portland, OR 97220-5397

DURATION:

Beginning June 7, 2010 through the summer, the continuation of this position after summer is dependant upon funding approval.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications may be accessed at the IRCO website, www.irco.org, or at the IRCO main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220, 503-234-1541. Applications must be received at the main office by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date, if applicable. Resumes are optional and do not replace the IRCO application form. Only complete, signed applications will be considered. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact each applicant. If you are selected for an interview we will contact you by telephone.

ELIGIBILITY:

The successful applicant must be eligible for employment in the United States in accordance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986, and must present the proper identification within three days of hire.

ABOUT IRCO:

IRCO is a community-based, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a 34-year history of assisting refugees and immigrants through the various stages of integration into U.S. society. Reflecting great diversity, IRCO’s clients represent many countries and regions throughout the world. IRCO is the leading refugee organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington, investing in refugees and immigrants enabling them to become self-sufficient, long-term contributors to the economic vitality of the community.

The mission of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants, and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy, and inclusive multiethnic society.