This VISTA AmeriCorps position is a 1 year National Service Opportunity in the State of Maine.

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Term Date: February and March Starts for Year-Long PositionsLocation: Trescott Twp, MEFocus Area: Community Outreach, Outdoor Education, Restorative Justice, Youth

Want to play a crucial role in designing and implementing a volunteer program for a dynamic community hub that centers human and planetary health and social justice?!

Cobscook Institute began in 1999 as a community research project focused on improving the quality of life and increasing access to meaningful education in rural and under-resourced Washington County. Cobscook’s founders researched models of education that have led to sustained social change, particularly those emerging from rural communities. They leaned into pedagogies that center human and planetary health and social justice, that are adaptable, and that offer flexible pathways to respond to the dynamic needs of changing communities and environments. Today, Cobscook Institute is home to the Cobscook Experiential Programs, a four-year experiential high school offered in partnership with a local accredited high school. Cobscook is also home to the Cobscook Center, which offers community-driven programs and a retreat and meeting center. Cobscook Institute also launched and incubated TREE – Trauma Responsive Equitable Education, conducting research and training on trauma-responsive strategies. Cobscook Institute remains constant in the focus on fulfilling the mission to create responsive educational opportunities to strengthen personal, community, and global well-being. Opportunities abound for this model of grassroots education to be replicated in other rural communities facing similar challenges. Cobscook Institute restructured and reinvested in its community education and “community homeplace” initiatives following the pandemic. A dynamic hub of activity, our capacity to do more well and be accessible to more will be served with the launch of a volunteer program. An AmeriCorps Vista member will play a crucial role in designing and implementing a volunteer program for the organization.

The Volunteer Coordinator VISTA will research best practices in volunteer programs including practices for recruitment, training supervision, acknowledgement, retention, and evaluation. They will work with the Cobscook staff and board to identify the organization’s greatest volunteer needs and a program structure that will best match our needs and culture. The member will recruit community members to serve in well-defined and appropriately supervised volunteer roles, establish a clear pathway to communicate volunteer opportunities to the community and a clear process for community members to step into positions, and coordinating amongst existing staff to establish clear and effective supervision for volunteers.

Benefits

• Bi-Weekly Living Allowance of $877/Biweekly
• Relocation Allowance of $750 plus $.40 per mile (for those moving more than 50 miles)
• Health Benefits
• Childcare Reimbursement if Eligible
• Student Loan Forbearance for eligible federal loans (interest paid by AmeriCorps)
• SNAP Eligibility (depending on financial situation)
• Training and Professional Development
• LifeNavigator (on-staff licensed counselor for members)
• Choice of Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7300) or an end-of-term bonus ($1800) upon term completion
• Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal employment for one-year post-term

*Individuals are limited to two full Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards in their lifetime

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Lubec, ME: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person