AmeriCorps Community Organizer for the Performing Arts

PURPOSE

Sitka AmeriCorps Program’s mission is to mitigate the effects of high adverse childhood experience (ACEs) scores prevalent in rural Alaskan communities. We aim to do this through the formation of developmental relationships. These relationships are built through offering enrichment activities, academic support, mentoring, mental health and life skills support, and capacity building.

AmeriCorps volunteers serve an average of 40 hours per week in direct service roles, including as tutors, mentors, outreach workers and community organizers.

Members live in intentional communities with other members, sharing the responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, and finances. Members are encouraged to perform ten percent of their total service hours engaged in service activities outside their primary placement. 

Through service, members often become active in local clubs, faith community, support groups and our tribal community. and earning more about the joys and challenges of the community in which they serve.

ABOUT SERVE ALASKA AND AMERICORPS:

Serve Alaska promotes and supports volunteerism across the state and brings AmeriCorps programs to Alaska. It is overseen by no fewer than 15 and no more than 25 voting Commission members appointed by the Governor. The Serve Alaska sub-grantees operate in almost every region of the state, bringing much needed support and training to rural and urban Alaska. Serve Alaska is housed within the Division for Community and Regional Affairs and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development at the State of Alaska. 

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

ABOUT SITKA FINE ARTS CAMP

Sitka Fine Arts Camp is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1973 whose mission is to build community in Alaska by providing opportunities in the arts. Our programs include a nationally recognized summer arts program, performing arts series, artist in the schools’ programs, and artist residencies. In 2011, an

abandoned college campus was given to SFAC and since then, SFAC has launched Alaska’s largest grassroots volunteer effort. Over 1,000 volunteers have contributed over 45,000 volunteer hours.

repairing and restoring the campus as a dynamic center for the arts. Our flagship program is the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, a leader in arts education, provides interdisciplinary summer programs for kids from around the US and world. Our programs include visual art, music, theater, dance, writing, and Alaska

Native Arts and have been recognized by both the White House and the National Endowment for the Arts for excellence and innovation in arts education and community building. We have expanded to provide year-round programming in the arts, the Hames Center (Sitka’s non-profit

fitness center), and major building restoration projects using both professional and volunteer work. SFAC also rents portions of the campus to long-term tenants and hosts event rentals.

POSITION SUMMARY

● Coordinate volunteers at the Sitka Performing Arts Center

● Foster relationships with and support artists who visit Sitka for performances

● Coordinate the comp ticket program for community organizations and local schools

● Support staff to train and coordinate ushers for the Sitka Performing Arts Center

● Support coordination of Sitka Fine Arts Camp Performing Arts Series

● Develop and coordinate youth outreach programs surrounding Performing Arts Series

● Assist with increasing community engagement for SFAC’s programs

● Support SFAC’s Young Performers Theater program

● Assist backstage during production

POSITION SUPERVISION

Sarah Lawrie, Program Director, Sitka AmeriCorps Program

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS 

● Dedication to embodying the mission of Alaska Arts Southeast and developing programs that carry out the mission

● Ability to supervise, train, and lead volunteers in a positive and effective way

● Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the arts community, business community, City departments, and other government agencies, and the public

● Personal leadership through example, coupled with the desire to work with staff to create a results-driven, team-oriented environment

● Treat children and adolescents in our program with respect, even if they are having a difficult moment

● Ability to handle multiple interruptions and adjustments to priorities throughout the day

Qualities:

● Ability to multi-task calmly and to handle emergencies effectively

● Effective public speaking skills and presence

● Strong people skills and the ability to maintain tact, diplomacy, and the strictest confidence as needed

● Ability to prioritize workflow

● Detail oriented self-starter who shows independent judgment, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to meet deadlines

● Real interest in people and volunteerism

● Willingness and flexibility to “do it all” and at all levels 

● Professional manner with excellent verbal and written communication skills

● Enjoys interacting with the public

● Honesty with colleagues and willingness to address problems when they arise

● Positive attitude and an earnest interest in providing a good arts experience

● A commitment to advancing the arts and arts education

● Excellent phone communication skills

● Personal confidence and interpersonal skills to handle difficult customer service situations

Required Skills:

● Experience with: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Mail, Google Drive

● Willingness to learn new online systems quickly

● Familiarity with database management

● Prior event management/coordination experience

● Driver’s License & willingness to drive 14 passenger vans

Preferred Skills:

● Knowledge of Arts Administration

● Previous non-profit work experience

● Technical capacity

● Familiarity working within the Google Suite

AmeriCorps member position description follows the requirements related to supplementation, duplication or displacement of staff as outlined in 45 CFR §2540.100 (e) – (f).

QUALIFICATIONS

Member must have a college degree (prefer a focus in the Arts or Performing Arts or Arts Management)

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain student confidentiality, meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service

Have a high school diploma or its equivalent

Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

Member will undergo National Criminal History Check as outlined in 45 CFR §2522.202.

TERM OF SERVICE

This is a full-time twelve-month position.  1700 hour minimum. Member will serve between 36 and 40 hours per week.

Member has sufficient opportunity to fulfill the term of service including holidays, time off, and missed hours.

Member will dedicate 5 to 10 hours of service to recruitment efforts for the Sitka AmeriCorps Program. 

Members are encouraged to consider a second year of AmeriCorps service and will receive a second Education Award. 

Members will also receive a monetary bonus for committing to a second term.

PROGRAM TIME REQUIREMENTS

Members will be released from their primary service site for three mandatory national days of service.  The days are 9-11Day of Remembrance, MLK Jr Day, and a third day TBA in the Spring.

Member will attend mandatory individual and group meetings monthly.  Member will be hosted at a mandatory all member meeting in Anchorage hosted by Serve Alaska.

Member training hours meet the requirements of 45 CFR§2520.50.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

Member orientation to the Sitka AmeriCorps program is provided by program staff upon arrival. Orientation introduces AmeriCorps, the Sitka AmeriCorps Program and Sitka, Alaska.

Monthly team building and training sessions are provided.  These include all AmeriCorps members.

Monthly individual support meetings are provided and can be expected weekly with the host site mentor.

Orientation, training, and professional development will be provided by the host site mentor and be specific to host site placement.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

Arts management

Customer service

Event planning

Organization

Time Management

Communication

Advocacy

Behavior regulation

BENEFITS

The Sitka AmeriCorps Program gives young leaders the tools and resources they need to take on some of the world’s most difficult challenges. Our volunteers bring a dedication to the cause of justice and the courage to transform themselves and the communities they serve. We help them discover how to put this passion to work for life.

Through our program design, members will be part of a tight knit cohort that creates a positive and lasting ripple effect in a rural community. 

Members will gain job skills, networking opportunities, and engage in professional development in their field of interest. 

Over one third of members gain employment at their service site.

Other benefits of the AmeriCorps Program include:

-Monthly living allowance

-The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

-Student loan forbearance

-Healthcare

Benefits available for AmeriCorps alumni: http://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni.

https://www.americorpsalums.org/default.aspx

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/641/what-public-service-loan-forgiveness.html.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of $__________________ upon successful completion of the term of service. (AC V.B.3)

Amount of the living allowance will be $______________________ per month before tax. (AC VIII.A)

Member will be provided the option of healthcare coverage. (AC VIII.D)

Member will be provided the option of childcare coverage, if the member qualifies (AC VIII.E and 45 §CFR 2522.250)

Student loan forbearance and interest payments if the member qualifies (FAQ G.7)

EVALUATION AND REPORTING 

Member performance evaluation requirements (AC V.E)

Member will receive professional development guidance from host site mentor

Member will be formally evaluated twice annually by host site mentor

Member will submit monthly qualitative and quantitative reporting to Program Director

Member will submit monthly time sheets

SERVING CONDITIONS

Ability to life 20 lbs. occasionally

Ability to traverse daily in adverse weather conditions

Ability to maintain an appropriate service pace

Ability to perform assigned tasks

Ability to comprehend and follow instructions

Ability to perform complex or varied tasks                                                                

Ability to relate to other staff and youth                                                     

Ability to influence and direct youth