Commonwealth Corps Career and Education Specialist

The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct 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. Commonwealth Corps members with One Family, Inc. 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.

One Family aims to prevent homelessness and break the cycle of family poverty in MA by promoting pathways to economic independence through advocacy, education, and innovation. One Family will host two full-time members, who will serve as Commonwealth Corps members in our Boston office, supporting families across Massachusetts. Through their service, members will support the expansion of our Credential to Career Coaching program (C2C) to more communities in need. This will involve providing education and career coaching to low-income parents, and conducting a landscape analysis for each new region, leading to improved partnerships and client recruitment. In addition, members will leverage 25+ volunteers, who will provide career support to our clients through activities such as editing their resumes.

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 One Family, 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).
• Co-facilitate weekly C2C workshops.
• Provide bi-weekly one-on-one coaching to help C2C participants make plans to reach their education and career goals.
• Conduct a landscape analysis of existing service providers in each new region of C2C’s expansion, leading to improved partnerships and client recruitment (including researching the community to identify referral partners, educational opportunities, and other potential supports for clients).
• Reach out to potential partner organizations to form and cultivate working relationships.
• Recruit and manage volunteers to support clients.

Marginal

• Aid recruitment and enrollment of new C2C participants.
• Record and report program outcomes.

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
• Commitment to One Family’s mission and a belief that families experiencing homelessness can build a better future for themselves
• Interest in building a proficiency in education and career coaching
• Cultural competency, including openness and respect for others’ cultures, identities, and lived experiences
• A valid driver’s license and ability to travel statewide; possible travel locations include Worcester, Brockton, Framingham, and/or other MA towns

Preferred

• An associate or bachelor’s degree
• Bilingual (Spanish or Portuguese preferred)
• Experience using Salesforce or similar customer relationship management (CRM) systems

Member Benefits:

• Stipend of $800 semi-monthly while in service, up to $16,800, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Health insurance (no required monthly contribution; individual coverage only);
• Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more;
• Completion award of up to $3,000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
• 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 during the following days/times: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Potential for weekend or evening commitments once per week, with advanced notice.

Application Instructions:
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to c2c@onefamilyinc.org with “One Family Career and Education Specialist” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on rolling basis, with preference given to candidates who apply by June 19, 2020.

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

One Family, Inc. 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. One Family, Inc. welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.