AmeriCorps Service & Community Engagement Coordinator

Description

General Information

The AmeriCorps Service & Community Engagement Coordinator is a one-year service term through Iowa College Corps AmeriCorps, aiming to build sustainable systems that address student food insecurity while strengthening a culture of service and civic engagement across campus. This member will expand the reach and impact of Simpson’s food co-op, create communication structures that connect students to on- and off-campus resources, and foster partnerships with local organizations to support basic needs. In addition, the member will enhance and expand upon campus-wide service and volunteer opportunities by developing tracking systems, coordinating signature service events, and collaborating with faculty to integrate service-learning into the academic experience. Through this role, the member will increase Simpson College’s capacity to address student needs while cultivating a more engaged and supportive campus community.

Areas of Focus

Food Insecurity & Basic Needs Support

• Expand and sustain the existing food co-op to increase accessibility and usage by students.
• Research best practices for addressing campus food insecurity and implement strategies tailored to Simpson College's specific needs.
• Develop an outreach and awareness plan around food insecurity and available campus/off-campus resources.
• Track and analyze food pantry usage to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Office of Student Development, Religious Life Community, Financial Aid, Dining Services, and community organizations to connect students to resources.
• Build and strengthen community partnerships with local nonprofits, food banks, and service agencies to better support students who are food- and housing-insecure.
• Connect with other campus partners to assess other basic needs (such as clothing and personal care items) and consider programs or resources to meet identified needs.
• Develop a communication structure for regularly sharing updated resource information with the campus community.
  
  

Service & Community Engagement

• Develop a communication plan to promote service opportunities to students, faculty, and staff.
• Research best practices for tracking volunteer hours and establish a sustainable system for campus-wide reporting and tracking.
• Meet with student groups, faculty, and departments already engaged in service to map current efforts and identify gaps.
• Develop strategies to increase student participation in community engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate service initiatives in partnership with Athletics, student organizations, and campus departments.
• Develop a reflection guide and resource toolkit to support service activities, thereby enhancing learning outcomes.
  
  

Sustainability

• Serve on the Simpson sustainability committee, acting as a liaison between campus and community partners focused on sustainability efforts.
  
  

Event Planning & Implementation

Responsibilities

The member will play a key role in strengthening Simpson College’s culture of service by supporting the planning, promotion, and execution of key community engagement events. Responsibilities include coordinating logistics, recruiting student participants, and facilitating opportunities for reflection to deepen learning. Signature events include:

• MLK Day of Service
• Welcome Week Service Project
• Fall Break Service Day
• Spring Break Service Trip
  
  

Goals & Outcomes

• Develop and implement outreach strategies (flyers, social media campaigns, classroom visits) to broaden awareness of service opportunities.
• Increase student participation by recruiting at least 15 more students per event compared to the previous year.
  
  

Service-Learning Support

• Partner with faculty to assess current community-engaged learning opportunities in courses.
• Develop resources and training materials to support faculty interested in incorporating service-learning into the curriculum.
• Train and mentor Call of Service student leaders, preparing them to lead peers in service projects and facilitate reflection.
  
  

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors Degree

Required Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service,
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States, and
• Pass all required National Service Criminal History Checks
  
  

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a cover letter; please highlight interest in and qualifications for this position, a resume, and names and contact information of three professional or educational references.