Summary:

AmeriCorps READY Members are non-employee service members who help Detroit, MI residents with home resiliency while learning skills in research surveys, teamwork, public health, and home environmental monitoring and interventions.

Members report to the AmeriCorps READY Program Director at Wayne State University's Center for Urban Studies. This role centers increasing Detroit residents' home flood resilience and air quality while incorporating workforce development for members. Members meet and work in teams to complete day-to-day in-office and in-field operations. 

Member Duties & Responsibilities:

• AmeriCorps READY Members will engage Detroit, MI residents with discussions of environmental change effects specific to their community, perform demonstrations of resiliency solutions, and provide relevant interventions based on assessments done in and around the neighborhood.
• Participate in daily environmental education centered around themes including environmental change impacts and resilience, heat island effects, air quality impacts, increased wet weather risks (flooding), waste reduction, and greenhouse gas reduction.
• Engage in community outreach by attending community meetings, contacting residents, canvassing, leafletting, visiting area businesses, distributing flyers
• Participate in environmental stewardship opportunities such as tree/pollinator/native planting, park improvements, removal of litter, removal of invasive species, shoreline clean-up, or other community efforts
• Participate and be engaged in outdoor recreation and experiential hands-on learning to strengthen understanding and support engagement of community residents
• Assist with improving hazard awareness through the use of measurement instrumentation, and demonstrate green infrastructure installations
• Engage Detroit residents and study participants in research survey and follow-up surveys post intervention
• Demonstrate a high degree of respect and sensitivity, particularly in conversation with community members about difficult subjects like the costs of flood damage, and when assessing residents’ homes for environmental crisis impacts
• Members will be expected to submit one Great Story for each program quarter, showcasing how service impacts communities

 Program Time Commitments:

• Members enroll for a term of service terms at a chosen total of ¼ (450 hours), ½ (900 hours), ¾ (1200 hours), or full time (1700 hours). Upon successful completion of a term of service, members may opt to re-enroll to continue their service with AmeriCorps READY.
• Minimum 18 hours per week, up to 37.5 hours per week
• Work takes place between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
• Permits attendance at school during off hours , Permits working at another job during off hours .
• Members will participate in mandatory service days including but not limited to: AmeriCorps Week and Global Youth Service Day, Russ Mawby Signature Service Day, 9/11 Day of Service, Member Conference, MLK Jr Day of Service, and State Funded Training Seminars

Member Eligibility 

• US Citizen, national or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Members are required to be at least 17 years of age at the time of enrollment. If the member is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also sign a parent consent form.
• High School Diploma or GED; or agree to obtain prior to using education award
• Members 18 and over must authorize a fingerprint-based criminal background check of State and FBI records

Preferred Qualifications 

• Interest in community engagement, neighborhood revitalization, disaster relief, public health, green infrastructure, air quality, and/or research
• Preferred: has valid driver’s license and willing to drive, with monthly mileage reimbursement
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Desire to work outdoors and garden within reasonable accommodation

Program Benefits:

• Members receive a living stipend (non-employee taxable income) in the amount of $5,400 - $20,400 and upon successful completion of their term of service, members receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ranging from $1956.35 – $7,395, depending on the length of service.
• Members will receive professional and field training and have the opportunity to gain certificates including the Master Rain Gardener Certificate
• Members will receive a safety toe boot stipend
• Full-time Members may be eligible for health insurance and childcare benefits
• Members may be eligible for loan forbearance during the term of service and eligible to have up to 100% of interest of qualified student loans paid for by AmeriCorps Trust.