Easter Seals Jobs

Program Overview: Led by the United Way of SWCO (UWSWC), Team UP AmeriCorps places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Southwest Colorado. While these members serve as part of a regional cohort and participate in regional cohort trainings and activities, they spend the majority of their term serving directly at a specific host site organization.

The Riverhouse Children's Center's mission is to build the foundation for a lifetime of success through quality early childhood education. Riverhouse serves 3 populations: parents, children, and employees. Currently, there are 60 working families, their 72 children (ages six weeks to five years), and the 30 staff members who provide reliable, quality childcare. 30% of Riverhouse's families receive a monthly subsidy from either our program or the state subsidy program. Riverhouse's work environment is dynamic and diverse. They have staff members of all ages and would incorporate the AmeriCorps member(s) fully into the team.

Service Position Summary: Riverhouse is searching for one to two AmeriCorps members to serve as Vision Project Coordinators to implement the center's vision projects in order to boost their culture and community. The Vision Project Coordinators would be an integral part of a preschool that already strives to engage children in stimulating activities while supporting parents. The members' days would have both structure and variety. Focused on their vision projects of highest interest, members would divide time between direct classroom time engaging with children alongside two teachers, time planning and implementing vision projects with Riverhouse administrators, and time spent with parents during coordinated activities. Vision projects include, but are not limited to: implementing a food nutrition/garden program, expanding volunteer coordination, implementing an afterhours Spanish-speaking childcare program, coordinating additional enrichment activities, and coordinating family engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities: Team UP AmeriCorps members serve directly at their Host Site organization to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities through direct and indirect service. Duties include: With support from Riverhouse's Program Directors, plan, coordinate, and implement a select number of Riverhouse's Vision Projects, including but not limited to: Food nutrition & garden program Volunteer coordination Afterhours Spanish-speaking childcare program: This is a highly needed program. Riverhouse already has 4 bilingual teachers on staff to support this Enrichment activity expansion: field trips, visiting arts/music teacher coordination, etc Family engagement: family support groups, Parent's Night Out program, etc. Engage with children though direct time in the classroom as additional support Plan and collaborate with center administrators Engage with families and caregivers virtually and in person Track host site and AmeriCorps data Attend Team UP AmeriCorps regional trainings, cohort connection days, and Days of Service

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands: Willingness to learn, adapt, and grow in a position Ability to serve independently, take initiative, and be motivated by the projects they are doing Compassion and awareness: self-awareness, awareness of cultural differences, social differences and understanding of implicit bias Strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion

Desired Qualifications: Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate High School Graduate required (GED accepted,) college graduate or equivalent work experience preferred Ability to pass criminal history check Reliable transportation & proof of auto insurance U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required

Term of Service - Ti e Commitment: This is a Full-Time* national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1700 hours during the year (approximately 40 hours/week.) The position begins September 9, 2024 and ends August 31, 2025. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

*For the right candidate, this could be reduced to a Part-Time position.

Service on the following dates is required:

September 9-10: Team UP AmeriCorps Member Orientation September 11: Host Site Orientation October TDB: Fall Group Service Day Jan. 20 : MLK Jr. Day of Service Event March 31: Cesar Chavez Day of Service Event 2nd Tuesdays of Nov, Feb, April, & June: regional Team UP AmeriCorps Member Trainings

Training and Support Provided: Team UP AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable, approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Riverhouse Program Director Rebecca McKibben (programdirector@riverhousecci.org), as well as by Team UP AmeriCorps program staff. The PY 24-25 cohort of Team UP AmeriCorps members serving throughout the region will also act as additional resources