Join AmeriCorps! APPLY NOW TO BECOME A PAID PRESERVE WV AMERICORPS MEMBER FOR A YEAR!
The Preserve WV AmeriCorps program is the statewide national service initiative where AmeriCorps members help main streets thrive, help capture our local history, and preserve beloved West Virginia landmarks. Preserve WV offers members a unique opportunity to provide meaningful service to communities in West Virginia while gaining professional experience and hands-on training in the fields of public history and community development. Please continue reading to learn more about the requirements needed to become a member, the benefits of completing a service term, and how to apply.
For more information about all open service opportunities, visit our Open Service Opportunities page.
For more information about all open service opportunities, visit our Open Service Opportunities page.
|
AMERICORPS REQUIREMENTS
|
SKILLS SUGGESTED FOR THIS PROGRAM
|
AMERICORPS MEMBER BENEFITS
Full-time members (1700 hours, approximately 40 hours a week) will receive a $16,00 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 $8,000 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 2020-2021 program year, the award was $6,345 for full-time members and $3,172.50 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. 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 AmeriCorps at the end of the deferred period.
Full-time members (1700 hours, approximately 40 hours a week) will receive a $16,00 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 $8,000 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 2020-2021 program year, the award was $6,345 for full-time members and $3,172.50 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. 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 AmeriCorps at the end of the deferred period.
HOW TO APPLY to Preserve wv americorps |
WHAT TO EXPECT FOLLOWING APPLICATION SUBMISSION |
|
Submitting an application to the Preserve WV AmeriCorps Program is a two step process.
Step 1: Submit an application on My AmeriCorps - To become a Preserve WV AmeriCorps Member, potential applicants must first create a profile on the official My AmeriCorps website: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do Once a profile is completed, applicants can then apply for an opportunity with Preserve WV as well as hundreds of other AmeriCorps programs throughout the United States. To view Preserve WV’s program listing, simply search “Preserve WV” in the Program Name Field of the Quick Search Box found on the AmeriCorps Advanced Search page: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do From there, applicants will be able to gather more information about the Preserve WV program and explore the different service opportunities currently available. If an applicant is interested in serving and feels like they are a good fit for the Preserve WV program, then can apply using the “Apply Now!” button found on the Preserve WV program listing. Step 2: Send in a Cover Letter - Finally, to complete an application, applicants must submit a written cover letter to dlapresta@pawv.org. The letter should directly reference the description of the position the applicant is applying to and speak to how the applicant's interests, experience, and career goals are a good match for that particular service opportunity. Position descriptions for all available service opportunities can be found on PAWV’s Open Service Opportunities webpage. If interested, applicants may use the cover letter to apply for more than one position. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to send a formal CV or resume to accompany their cover letter. |
If an applicant looks like a good fit for the Preserve WV program, program staff will reach out via email to set up a “get to know you” phone interview. After this initial phone interview, program staff will then pass along all application materials to the site supervisors of the individual service opportunities the applicant expressed interest in.
If a supervisor believes an applicant is a good candidate for their site, the supervisor will reach out to set up an additional interview (either by phone, Skype, or in person). In order to be selected to serve at a site, you will need to be approved both by the program staff and the site supervisor. Following your interviews, completion of all application paperwork, and the checking of your references (from the MyAmeriCorps application form), program staff will make offers to selected candidates on a rolling basis. The program may be able to hold your offer open for a limited time if you are considering multiple options; please let program staff know if you have time constraints. Service opportunities will be filled on an ongoing basis throughout the summer (and, if necessary, the fall) until none remain open. If you are accepted into the program, program staff will then let you know other steps required for enrollment (such as background checks and paperwork) and can (if necessary) provide helpful information for relocating. 
|
*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.
