Position Summary
AmeriCorps Teen Resiliency Corps Crew Lead
300 Hours Contract - Minimum of 35 hours/week
Compensation: Living Allowance Total: $3,900 ($780.00 every 2 weeks over 10 weeks) + Education Award: $1,565.08*
Closing Date: Open until filled
AmeriCorps is a national service program that takes a different approach to improve lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps Members commit their time to address critical community needs. In Dubuque, AmeriCorps Members serve at the intersection of education and mental health to help youth understand their emotions, reactions, and relationships through social-emotional learning to improve academic, career, and social success. City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Members implement key skill-building program to have the following impacts:
(1) Youth experience programs promoting healthy lifestyles resulting in decreased youth risk-related behaviors.
(2) Youth development skills to build meaningful and healthy relationships while experiencing being valued and respected.
(3) Providing every young person with the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future.
The Teen Resiliency Corps (TRC) Crew Lead supports the City of Dubuque’s sustainability and youth engagement goals by leading a small team of high school youth (ages 14–17) in hands-on natural resource projects such as tree care, trail maintenance, and environmental education. This role focuses on mentoring teens, ensuring safety, and facilitating daily work plans. Program design and strategic oversight is handled by the Youth Community Livability Specialist and oversees the TRC Crew Leads.
Benefits:
• Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service.
• Living Allowance
• Childcare coverage, if the member qualifies.
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans
Job Duties
Service Responsibilities
(1) Program Development and Implementation:
a. Lead a team of 4–5 teens in completing outdoor projects (tree care, park clean-up, trail work).
1. Implement daily work plans provided by Youth Community Livability Specialist.
2. Assist with maintaining a safe, engaging environment where both physical and emotional well- being of the youth is monitored. Follow all safety protocols and ensure proper use of equipment.
3. Report incidents and maintain accurate documentation of hours, progress, and evaluations.
b. Plan mentorship and training activities during the program.
1. Build and lead a 1-hour (single activity or several combined) team building segment per week for Summer Teen Resiliency program (8-9 week program). This included researching steps, gathering materials, and presenting.
2. Build and lead 1 safety training activity per week (based on training needs) under the direct supervision of Site Supervisor.
(2) Collaboration and Partnership:
a. Collaborate closely with co-leader (other TRC Crew Lead), Youth Community Livability Specialist, and Site Supervisor to meet project goals.
1. Meet weekly with Site Supervisor, daily with Youth Livability Specialist
2. Set up connection points to discuss youth progress with the other TRC Crew lead, at least 1 per week.
3. Share feedback and challenges to support continuous improvement with Youth Community Livability Specialist and Site Supervisor at daily and weekly meetings, respectively.
(3) Teen Coaching and Support:
a. Support and coach TRC members (each student once per week for 30 minutes) and other youth (as needed) interested in natural resource careers by linking to resources, service opportunities, and existing networks in the field.
1. Assist Youth Community Livability Specialist and Site Supervisor with implementation of any Summer walkability studies in connection with Parks and Engineering capacity building projects.
b. Assist with engaging junior high students through tailored activities at Multicultural Family Center teen nights at least 1x month, for a minimum of 30 minutes, while in session, designed to introduce them to City sustainability efforts, especially related to mobility initiatives or teen-led topics of interest.
(4) Volunteer Management:
a. Assist supervisor to recruit, manage, monitor, train, and document volunteer involvement with projects involved with teen programming.
b. Coordinate with volunteers to support the implementation of activities and ensure a safe and supportive environment for participants.
*Volunteers recruited and/or managed by AmeriCorps members will not participate in prohibited activities as outlined in the approved grant.
(5) Impact Assessment and Documentation:
a. Document and maintain records of the impact on area youth who participate in the youth programs.
b. Collect data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Support this through the administration of pre/post surveys to identify growth areas.
c. Collaborate with Youth Community Livability Specialist to conduct the DESSA assessments to measure students' social-emotional competencies.
1. DESSA will be performed at least after the 4th and 8th week of the program
(6) Disaster Response (AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Team)
a. Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure the member has knowledge and ability to respond to disasters.
b. Complete other training necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training.
Qualifications
Physical Requirements:
• Walk and carry materials outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Lift 40 pounds.
• Bend, squat, kneel and walk on uneven terrain.
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
• Exhibit experience and/or interest to become competent in working with at-risk youth, teenaged youth, and communities facing barriers.
• Knowledge of natural resource management preferred.
• Applicant must have reliable transportation.
• Applicant must be creative, energetic, dependable and a self-starter.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent OR agree to obtain one while under service to the AmeriCorps Program
• Be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit).
• Pass a national service criminal history check prior to the first day of service due to recurring access to vulnerable populations.
Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
Supplemental Information
Service Schedule
The Teen Resiliency Corps Crew Lead’s scheduled hours typical schedule: Mon - Friday: Serve flexibly between the hours of 8am - 5pm four days/week, with Friday from 9pm to 2pm; Opportunities for weekend hours or special events may become available during the year. Member will serve at least 35 hours per week.
Example schedule for illustrative purposes:
• Monday: 8am - 5pm
• Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
• Wednesday: 8am - 5pm
• Thursday: 8am - 5pm
• Friday: 9am - 2pm
• Saturday: Off
• Sunday: Off
Sick leave, personal leave, and holiday leave is allowed, but such time off does not count towards the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.
Disaster Deployments: Member who opt-in to be engaged in disaster deployment/activities will need to ensure availability for the term of the disaster deployments, generally 2-4 weeks. Make plans for pets, family members, other employment and responsibilities that need regular attention.
Evaluations and Alternative Service
AmeriCorps Members are required by the program to complete Self-Evaluations.
End-Term Evaluations: Upon the completion of their AmeriCorps Contract, all members will complete an End-Term Evaluation through America Learns. The End-Term Evaluation must be completed, signed, and submitted to the AmeriCorps Program within 30 days of the member’s final date of service. Non-submission of this document within the 30-day timeframe will lead to the member being exited for cause (see section 9 of the Member Service Agreement) and will forfeit the member’s right to the Education Award.
Members may engage in other allowable activities that are not specifically outlined in the position description, but that support the AmeriCorps program design, and which will help the Program meet its goals. Under no
circumstances will members be asked to perform prohibited activities. Volunteers recruited and/or managed by AmeriCorps members will not participate in prohibited activities as outlined in the approved grant application.
*AmeriCorps member will receive education award in the form of an electronic payment through my.americorpgs.gov upon the successful completion of their AmeriCorps Contract. Education award may be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions or qualified student loans. Members who are 55+ years of age can transfer award to child or grandchild under specific conditions.
Note: AmeriCorps Members are compensated through the national AmeriCorps program and are not considered employees of the City of Dubuque.
Not Applicable
01 Will you be 17 years of age or older on the contract start date?Required Question