United Communities AmeriCorps Position Description
Position Title: Healthy Communities Leader
Project Host Site: Phoenix Charter High School roseburgphoenix.com
UCAN Mission: This position is in partnership with the United Community Action Network (UCAN). UCAN's
mission is: Creating solutions to Poverty, Improving Lives in Our Community. www.ucancap.org
Project Location: 3131 N.E. Diamond Lake Boulevard, Roseburg, Oregon 97470. Activities will take place at Phoenix
Charter School on an eight-acre campus and four-acre adjacent plot located on the urban growth boundary of Roseburg, a city
(population 21,000) located along Interstate 5, ninety minutes equidistance to the Oregon Coast to the west and the Oregon’s
high Cascades to the east. Field work locations may vary upon partnering agency needs.
Position Summary: The Phoenix School mission is to teach Douglas County at-risk youth the skills, knowledge,
and understandings needed to become caring, committed, productive citizens. We have been the primary
educational option for Douglas County’s high-need at-risk youth since 1981 and were selected 2010 Charter High
School of the Year in Oregon. This AmeriCorps Member will work directly with Phoenix staff, project partners,
students, and volunteers continuing development of our Health Communities initiatives by supporting and creating
lessons for subjects such as Culinary Arts, Physical Education, Health Tech, Green Tech and Business Arts. This
position would also work to help instill higher levels of collaboration between the school’s sustainable agriculture
program and the culinary arts through helping to develop food preservation activities, garden produce harvest
systems, overall help to ensure fresh veggies to be used in the our school lunch program and sold at our Umpqua
Local Goods store. Member will also recruit and foster youth to participate in PE classes with Roseburg Crossfit.
Also the position would have an outreach component for recruiting community volunteers by assisting in the
creation of content for a monthly school newsletter or ‘zine.’ Secondary goals include assisting students with
activities that establish their Pathways to college and careers.
Essential Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
Health Communities Project planning and organizational leadership as a team member with green leadership,
culinary arts, business arts, health tech and Community 101 leadership staff.
• Create and implement Healthy Communities learning activities (lesson plans).
• Co-teach Healthy Communities learning activities and events, teaching and mentoring students with staff.
• Recruit, coordinate, and celebrate student and community volunteers.
• Data collection and reporting project activities and outcomes.
• Log, support, and coordinate with the school to recognize/celebrate volunteers’ contributions
• Complete and submit all necessary UCAN/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
• Attend and complete all UCAN/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation,
training's, team meetings and national service days.
• Wear AmeriCorps apparel and/or appropriate identifiers while performing service or attending official
events.
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Marginal Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
• Assisting with college t ours, career-planning activities , and other t asks which help youth tr ansition
to college and careers post high s chool.
• Enhancing the school's workforce developm ent program wit h vocat ional skills tr aining for
students.
• Expanding student wor kforce opportunities through job shadowing and int ernship programs .
• Program monitoring and evaluation of student engagement and contributions.
Position Requirements:
• Ability to work independently at times, show initiative, and communicate.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test (random or otherwise) conducted by project host site.
• Ability to work within a school, with youth, and as a team member.
• Perform in a professional manner while working with partnering organizations.
• A valid driver's license, clean driving record and ability to provide documentation.
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Minimum of 21 years of age to meet driving insurance requirements
17 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.
U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving an education
award.
Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.
Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through UCAN and/or
Project Host Site.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Have not previously served four terms in an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members may serve up
to three terms in another National Service Program, but only four terms may be within an AmeriCorps*State
or National program. Members are only eligible for the equivalent of two full-time education awards in their
lifetime. Applicants must disclose if they have ever been removed for cause from any national service
program.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Possessing a four-year degree from an accredited college or university or five years working experience in
education and/or a related field.
• A team-oriented, organized, self-motivated, creative, and personable individual who enjoys working with
diverse groups.
• Experience recruiting and supporting volunteers.
Service Conditions:
• Working in an educational setting for at-risk youth where flexibility and attention to scheduling is needed
Physical/Intellectual Demands
May require bending, color identification, crawling, gripping with hands and fingers, hearing alarms and voice
conversation, keyboarding, kneeling, occasionally lifting up to 60 pounds, operating passenger vehicles, pulling, pushing,
reaching, running, shoveling/digging, sitting, standing, standing long periods, walking, walking on rough terrain; exposure
to dampness, bee stings, chemicals, dust or pollen, epoxy chemicals, fumes, intense light, noxious odors, outside
temperature extremes, poison oak, smoke, sun, noisy areas; wearing ear plugs/muffs, hard hats, plastic gloves, rubber
boots, and safety glasses; working at heights, confined or crowded or remote areas, ladders, electricity; working shifts;
working with rotating machinery and solvents, grease, oils, inks. A reasonable amount of driving is required.
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Equipment Used:
Computer
Vehicle
Copy Machine
Kitchen Equipment
Cash Register
Energy Consumption Measurement Unit (Kill a Watt Meter)
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Transportation Information:
• Organizational vehicle is available for service activities. Member is covered by organization’s vehicle insurance policy.
• Project site is accessible by public transportation.
• Personal vehicle is recommended to get to service site.
Member Benefits Include:
• A taxable, monthly living allowance (before taxes, approximately $1100).
• Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members/leaders receive an education award of
$5,645. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans or for further education in an
accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year
that it is used. Members that are 55 and older may transfer the award to one child or grandchild.
• Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest
on qualified loans, which is taxable).
• Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).
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Child care allowance for those who qualify.
Professional development, trainings and networking opportunities
Child care available on –site
Free breakfast and lunch provided daily while school is in-session
Application Deadline: August 1, 2014
Interviews: On-going until filled
Service Dates: August 27, 2014 – July 31, 2015
Type of position: Full time
Length of Term: 1700 hours
How to apply:
Step 1 - Complete Your Application Online:
1. Apply through www.AmeriCorps.gov by clicking on “Advanced Opportunity Search” then search by
Program Name: “UCA”
Step 2 - Email your résumé and cover letter to the Project Host Site for this position – Thomas McGregor,
Career Technical Education Lead at tmcgregor@roseburgphoenix.com. Please include the names & contact
information for three references.
Step 3 - The Project Host Site will conduct all initial interviews and recommend a candidate for this position.
Step 4 - UCA will interview top applicants recommended by the Project Host Site and approve final selection.
Questions about the position? Contact: Kelly Rush, Phoenix Charter School Dean of Academic Support, at
krush@roseburgphoenix.com or Thomas McGregor, Career Technical Education Lead at
tmcgregor@roseburgphoenix.com; (541) 673 -3036.
Questions about the AmeriCorps program? Contact Seth Kirby at United Communities AmeriCorps,
seth.kirby@ucancap.org or at 541-672-5392 x4502.
Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We
provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals and conduct all activities in fully accessible settings.