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Join AmeriCorps - Requirements & benefits |
For more information about all open service opportunities, visit our Open Service Opportunities page.
For information on how to apply to become a Preserve WV AmeriCorps, visit our Apply page.
For information on how to apply to become a Preserve WV AmeriCorps, visit our Apply page.
*COVID-19 ACCOMMODATIONS - Preserve WV AmeriCorps program and sites are making accommodations to keep members and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on public health guidance, sites may be closed for a time, events canceled, and some members telework from home. Service activities may be modified to respect social distancing, limiting group size for events, and provide virtual programming instead of in-person. Some members are also providing relief service activities, in addition to their usual assignments. Preserve WV AmeriCorps intends to continue providing service. We will do all we can to continue serving our communities, while staying safe.
AMERICORPS REQUIREMENTS
- In order to qualify as an AmeriCorps member, candidates must
- Be a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident alien.
- Be at least 18 years old at the start of service.
- Have had some college education or significant life experience.
- Have not previously served more than 3 AmeriCorps State and National terms.
- All members must commit to serving for 11.5 to 12 months (unless otherwise).
- Members will serve either full-time (1700 hours) or half-time (900 hours).
SKILLS SUGGESTED FOR THIS PROGRAM
- Demonstrable historical research abilities;
- Good written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking;
- Good organizational skills, required to work on multiple tasks for event coordination and volunteer management purposes;
- Comfortable working with different types of people;
- Responsible and able to be self-directed and take the initiative;
- Experience with historical resources, public history, or historic preservation (or ability to prove capability to learn);
- Familiarity with heritage tourism (or ability to prove capability to learn);
- Some leadership experience or group/staff/volunteer management experience (or ability to demonstrate effective leadership skills);
- Computer experience: online research, email, Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Drive, and social media;
- Graphic design skills (Canva, Publisher, etc.) not necessary but appreciated.
- Must be willing and able to travel statewide for various trainings and for service at some sites.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
- Attend a start of service orientation. The program start date is August 28, 2020. More information will be provided about this orientation as plans are determined based on social distancing guidelines. Late-start members beginning after August must have a separate Orientation.
- All members in all AmeriCorps programs across the state must attend Volunteer WV’s Start of Service event on October 28 to 30, 2020. More details will be provided about this event as soon as possible.
- All members in all AmeriCorps programs across the state are required to organize and participate in two Civic Service Projects at specified dates such as the Governor’s Day of Service on 9/11, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2021, or during AmeriCorps week in the spring of 2021. More information will be provided during orientation.
- Members will be expected to provide their own transportation for mandatory, AmeriCorps-related travel, which will be reimbursed.
AMERICORPS MEMBER BENEFITS
Full-time members (1700 hours, approximately 40 hours a week) will receive a $14,279 living allowance, paid in 23 equal installments on the 15th and 30th of each month. Workers compensation insurance will be provided. Group health insurance is available for full-time members who do not have health insurance or do not qualify for Medicaid. A childcare subsidy is available for qualified full-time members. Unemployment coverage is not included.
Half-time members (900 hours, approximately 20 hours a week) will receive a $7,139 living allowance, paid in 23 equal installments on the 15th and 30th of each month. Workers compensation insurance will be provided.
AmeriCorps members will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon the successful completion of their term of service. The educational award for full-time members is equivalent to the federal Pell Grant amount for that year. The award amounts are subject to change annually. In the 2019-2020 program year, the award was $6195 for full-time members and $3095.50 for half-time members. Members with uncompleted service terms or uncompleted hours, or who have not submitted all required program materials, will not receive an educational award. The educational award can be used for tuition at most colleges, technical, and vocational schools, or for the repayment of qualified, federal student loans. Under new rules, members 55 or older may choose to transfer their award to a child or grandchild. AmeriCorps members are only allowed to receive educational awards for the equivalent of 2 full-time service terms (or 4 half-time terms).
Members’ qualified student loans can be deferred during AmeriCorps service, with the accumulated loan interest paid by CNCS at the end of the deferred period.
Full-time members (1700 hours, approximately 40 hours a week) will receive a $14,279 living allowance, paid in 23 equal installments on the 15th and 30th of each month. Workers compensation insurance will be provided. Group health insurance is available for full-time members who do not have health insurance or do not qualify for Medicaid. A childcare subsidy is available for qualified full-time members. Unemployment coverage is not included.
Half-time members (900 hours, approximately 20 hours a week) will receive a $7,139 living allowance, paid in 23 equal installments on the 15th and 30th of each month. Workers compensation insurance will be provided.
AmeriCorps members will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon the successful completion of their term of service. The educational award for full-time members is equivalent to the federal Pell Grant amount for that year. The award amounts are subject to change annually. In the 2019-2020 program year, the award was $6195 for full-time members and $3095.50 for half-time members. Members with uncompleted service terms or uncompleted hours, or who have not submitted all required program materials, will not receive an educational award. The educational award can be used for tuition at most colleges, technical, and vocational schools, or for the repayment of qualified, federal student loans. Under new rules, members 55 or older may choose to transfer their award to a child or grandchild. AmeriCorps members are only allowed to receive educational awards for the equivalent of 2 full-time service terms (or 4 half-time terms).
Members’ qualified student loans can be deferred during AmeriCorps service, with the accumulated loan interest paid by CNCS at the end of the deferred period.
