Boston Cares Allies for Immigrants Commonwealth Corps Program Coordinator

The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in service to strengthen communities, address critical community needs, and increase volunteerism. By taking on a year of service, you can positively impact your community while gaining skills and experience. 

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. The two Commonwealth Corps members with Allies for Immigrants will serve 10.5 months in a full-time capacity. They will join a corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to put their talents and ideas to use in the service of their communities and the Commonwealth.

Boston Cares recruits, trains, and deploys individual and corporate volunteers who strengthen communities and improve the lives of people in need. Two Commonwealth Corps members will serve as part of Boston Cares’ Allies for Immigrants program in partnership with English for New Bostonians. The Boston Cares member will serve as a Commonwealth Corps Program Coordinator, supporting the growth and development of the Allies program by recruiting, training and supporting volunteer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutors, and developing systems and tools to facilitate stronger engagement, including a peer leadership program to build sustainable capacity. The Boston Cares member will also collaborate closely with the Commonwealth Corps member at English for New Bostonians to recruit and train 40 new volunteer tutors and provide support to retain the existing 70 active tutors serving with 9+ programs in Dorchester, East Boston, Roslindale, Allston, Chinatown, South End, and Quincy.

Responsibilities:

Essential

• Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of service, serving through June 26, 2021.
• Attend all required Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA (minimum of 6 total, post orientation) and Boston Cares, including a new member orientation on August 17 & 18, 2020.
• Participate in a minimum of 1 hour of MSA-approved professional development-related activities each week (in person or virtually).
• Recruit, train, and support volunteer tutors serving in ESOL programs around Boston
• Support new tutor recruitment efforts bringing in and training new program tutors 2 to 3 times annually
• Communicate with volunteers via phone, email, and in-person to address questions and support engagement
• Engage in community meetings to meet community leaders and ESOL program students, understand community priorities and develop relationships with Allies for Immigrants ESOL Tutor Corps program sites, including monthly site visits and neighborhood roundtables with Allies tutors
• Support data entry and management in HandsOn Connect, a Salesforce based system for volunteer management; ensure volunteer opportunities are posted to the system and volunteer tracking is completed in a timely manner
• Develop a peer-leadership program that engages volunteers in regular communication and support between students, programs, and Allies for Immigrants staff
  • Assess needs for program and define role of peer leader
  • Create a position description for the role based on volunteer, partner and student needs
  • Develop a recruitment plan and training program for leaders

 Marginal

• Serve as a full member of the Boston Cares team – attend staff and department meetings
• Represent Boston Cares and Allies for Immigrants in the community
• Lead New Volunteer Orientations for general Boston Cares members, promoting Allies as an opportunity

 Qualifications:

Required

• Massachusetts residency (must be able to provide proof of current MA address) and legal authorization to work in the United States
• 18 years of age or older
• Experience with or interest in volunteerism and community engagement
• Ability to balance service commitment with other family/work/school/community commitments in a sustainable way
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Interest and ability to serve as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment
• Interest and ability to take initiative and work independently on projects
• Passion for community-based development
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse groups
• Ability to serve in a shared office environment

 Preferred

• Experience working or volunteering in diverse community settings and comfortable learning new neighborhoods and traveling/visiting programs across the Boston area.
• Experience speaking in front of a group, serving as a mentor, teacher, or tutor
• Interest in a career in the nonprofit sector

Member Benefits:

• Stipend of $800 semi-monthly while in service, up to $16,800, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Health insurance (individual coverage only);
• Completion award of up to $3000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Member Assistance Program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more;
• Subsidized CharlieCard Monthly Pass, Valid on all MBTA ferry routes, Subway, Silver Line, Bus, and Commuter Rail Zone 1A;
• Option to opt-in to annual Bluebike membership;
• Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA);
• Additional training and other professional development opportunities;
• Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities;
• Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies;
• The opportunity for at least 10 days of planned absences (may include holidays); and
• Opportunity to join with others with a common sense of purpose as part of the Commonwealth Corps.

Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits.

Term of Service:

• Position Start Date: August 17, 2020
• Position End Date: June 26, 2021
• Service commitment will average 38-40 hours per week with hours primarily Monday-Friday with a typical day being 9am-5pm (8 hours).
  • Schedule will be arranged with supervisor with some opportunity for flexibility.
  • Potential for occasional evening and weekend commitments at minimum two weeks advanced notice will be provided.

Application Instructions:

• To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Laura Keith at laura.keith@bostoncares.org. Early applications are encouraged as applications will be accepted on rolling basis, with preference given to candidates who apply by May 29, 2020.
• This position is cross-posted with the Commonwealth Corps Service Internship at English for New Bostonians.  Applicants are invited to apply for either or both positions.

Accepted members will be required to undergo a criminal history check.

Boston Cares will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. Boston Cares welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.