AmeriCorps Financial Literacy and Community Support Member Full Time

Service Site: Able SC

Service Site Address: 720 Gracern Road, Suite 106 Columbia SC 29210 and/or Able SC Greenville: 135 Edinburgh Ct. Suite 10

Site Supervisor/Title: Aimee Calcutt, AmeriCorps Coordinator

Service Position Type: Reduced Full Time

Term of Service: 10/03/2022-7/01/2023

Average Weekly Service Hours: 35

 

Program Overview

Able South Carolina (Able SC) is South Carolina’s premier organization promoting disability rights, independence, and equity for individuals with disabilities. To address the community’s needs for financial literacy and independent living skills, members will be working with Able SC Independent Living Specialists to execute our independent living and financial literacy programming.

 

AmeriCorps Member Position Overview

Members will work in the community with our consumers to build skills around financial literacy and employment. We know that financial literacy and employment are barriers to independence in South Carolina for people with disabilities and see breaking down those barriers through education as the core work of our AmeriCorps Members. Members will work one-on-one with consumers on financial and employment skills and build a personal relationship that will lead to greater independence. Members will create a personalized plan with our consumers and focus on topics like developing a budget, opening a bank account, developing a resume, and preparing for a job interviews. In order to gain employment or increase independence, many of our consumers will need help navigating public transportation. Members will help consumers find the appropriate transportation option for them and help teach them how to use public transportation when appropriate.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least 17 years of age or older
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540.202.
• Must be able to operate a computer

 

 

Essential Functions

• Participation in September 11th Day of Remembrance and/or Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events. The events may occur on the weekend or during holidays and include activities outside of the scope of typical day-to-day functions.
• Demonstration Independent Living Philosophy
  • Assist in providing consumer-driven and directed services to consumers at all times.
  • Disseminate independent living philosophy to staff, consumers and the community at large
• Provide Advocacy Services
  • Advocate for consumer choice and consumer-driven focuses in all situations.
  • Advocate with consumers to educate and support their interests, needs and rights
  • Participate in consumer meetings related to advancing their rights
  • Show awareness of and participate in systems advocacy related to education, employment, and youth transition
• Assist in Providing Independent Living Skills Training
  • Assess independent living needs/requests and develop goal plan with consumers
  • Protect consumer and agency information by adhering to confidentiality standards.
  • Provide coordination, follow along and support for individuals with active cases to support goal development
• Attend AmeriCorps and Able SC orientation
• Attend required professional development trainings
• Attend Able SC’s bi-weekly virtual staff meetings
• Complete reporting requirements such as biweekly time sheets
• Attend bi weekly and monthly supervisor meetings

Additional Responsibilities

Although not essential position functions, the Financial and Independent Living member may be responsible for the following as needed:

• Participate in outside service activities approved by the Program Director

 

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands

The following competencies are important in helping the AmeriCorps Member perform the essential duties of this position successfully:

• Flexibility – The ability to adjust to and thrive in a complex and changing environment; handles challenges with care and thoughtfully responds in the face of adversity or conflict.
• Ability to Work Independently – The ability to be a self-starter and accomplish tasks independently and without constant direct supervision
• Ability to Multi-Task – The ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments; prioritizes more critical functions while maintaining a good handle on others; reports promptly any barriers to task completion and allows ample opportunities for a supervisor to adjust deadlines
• Results-Oriented Thinking and Behavior – A genuine concern for effectiveness. Possesses the desire to get the service done with excellence; mentally, is focused on getting the best results for actions taken; does not settle for mediocrity.
• Awareness and Sensitivity to the External Environment – Situational awareness; is aware of the organizations that they represent, including the United Way Association of South Carolina, South Carolina Service Commission, AmeriCorps, and the host site's position in the community and the effect of their words and actions on that position; demonstrates savvy in dealing with agencies, volunteers and donors; is promoting and affirming in conversations about and on behalf of those organizations.
• Ability to receive detailed information through appropriate communication.
• Service Conditions: Member is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.

Benefits

• The living allowance for this position is $600 paid twice a month.
• This position is eligible for an Education Award up to $4,441.50. Please visit https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award for additional information on the education award.

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.