SUNY CORTLAND AMERICORPS
Opportunities for 2012-2013
Each year, AmeriCorps offers opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities through a network of partnerships with local and national non-profit groups. SUNY Cortland and its community partners are now offering opportunities in Cortland County to serve as AmeriCorps members. As an AmeriCorps member, you will gain new skills and experiences and you will also feel a tremendous satisfaction that comes from helping others. In addition, full time members who complete their service earn a Segal Education Award of $5,550 to pay for college, graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans. Members who serve part-time receive a partial award. AmeriCorps members also receive a living allowance ($12,100 for a full time member) during their term of service, and full time members are eligible for benefits such as health care.
Positions for AmeriCorps members will be available at the following agencies in Cortland County:
Catholic Charities of Cortland County - (1 full-time position filled) - This position will assist the Program Coordinator with various activities in the Emergency Assistance Program. Duties will include organizing and implementing food drives, assisting with writing requests for funding, and maintaining a database tracking the community’s needs. Members will also interview consumers to assess their needs and assist in accessing appropriate services. Member needs to be able to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with other staff, as well as have knowledge and skill in Microsoft Office applications.
City of Cortland Youth Bureau – (1 quarter-time position available) – this position will involve the responsibility for planning, organizing and implementing a variety of programs with the City of Cortland Youth Bureau. Members will reinforce the objectives of the Youth Bureau through encouraging socially acceptable behavior among young people. An individual who is self-driven and creative is needed for this position.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County - (2 full-time and 1 quarter-time position available) – Members will assist the Family Fun & Resource Center (FFRC) Coordinator with planning and delivery of a strength based parenting education and family support program. Duties will include facilitating parent education programs, maintaining fundraising records, and recruiting volunteers to provide assistance to FFRC staff. Members will interact with parents and children to provide parent modeling and social support. Members need to be able to work flexible hours, have effective communication skills, maintain sensitivity to confidential information and have good computer skills. An associate’s degree and 1 year related volunteer or paid work experience; or High School Diploma and 2 years related volunteer or paid work experience is needed for this position. Education or experience in teaching, parenting and/or early childhood development is preferred.
Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO)- (2 half-time position avalaible)- Members will help to plan, develop and implement innovative approaches within the community including programs geared toward youth and families. Assist with the operation and supervision of volunteers of the Family Essentials program. Assist with Community Action Angels planning and implementation including fund raising, activities and record-keeping. Members will help with childcare and other duties necessary to facilitate Parents with Hope. Outreach to other community agencies and programs.
Cortland Downtown Partnership (CDP)- (1 half-time position available)- The Cortland Downtown Partnership (CDP) AmeriCorps member will focus his/her energy and time collaborating with Historic Downtown Cortland’s stakeholders on efforts to revitalize the Central Business District. The AmeriCorps member will organize, coordinate, promote activities and events, and assist the Executive Director and Office Manager of the Cortland Downtown Partnership at Main Street SUNY Cortland and the Cortland Business Innovation Center.
Cortland Soil and Water – (1 full-time position filled) – Members will learn principles and practices of natural resources conservation on private and public lands by assisting Conservation District Staff in conducting education programs and technical assistance.
Family Counseling Services, Inc. – (1 full-time and one half time positions available, 1 full-time position filled) – Members will be working as support staff members in helping to perform a variety of duties and be able to handle many tasks at once. An important responsibility for support staff members is supervising children in the children’s waiting room to allow parents to attend counseling sessions. Members may be responsible for forwarding calls or important messages, scheduling appointments, and making sure shelves are stocked. Members need to be quick learners, maintain a high level of confidentiality and posses strong communication skills. High school diploma and ability to learn on the job is needed; as well as possessing aptitude and interest in clerical, administrative support work and enjoy working with children. New York State Office Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment application must be completed.
Greek Peak Adapted Snowsports – (1 half-time position filled) – This position includes coordinating Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports programs and activities. Members will be responsible for recruiting volunteers and students to work as participants in Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports programs. Member will develop strategies for improving program services, manage a budget and programs, provide presentations and assist with fundraising.
Homer Center for the Arts – (1 half-time position available) – This position will help The Center build capacity to deliver more and better services to the community. Responsible for developing and promoting programs that will bring knowledge of The Center and its programs and activities to an increased audience in the county and surrounding area. Member will create, and disseminate to the the public, a number of program planning and implementation modules for particular activities that will extend The Center's reach into the community. Further, member will develop and implement a plan to increase the public's knowledge of The Center.
Lime Hollow Center for Environment and Culture – (1 half-time position, 2 quarter-time positions, and 1 full-time position available) – Members will serve as Environmental Educators/Naturalists and work cooperatively with members of the educational team to provide quality environmental education programming for area youth and adults.
Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) – (1 full-time position filled) – This position will assist the Project Coordinator to implement programs to increase ease of access and consumption of healthy foods and improve opportunities for physical activity. Responsibilities will include organizing educational workshops, development of neighborhood trails, and participating in committees to increase physical activity and developing a sustainable community. Members must have strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with people. Proficiency with computers is necessary including PowerPoint, creation of spreadsheets and Microsoft Office. Members must have their own transportation, the ability to lift 25 pounds and an understanding of working with not-for-profit agencies. Bachelors Degree in a related field is preferred.
Inclusive Recreation Resource Center at SUNY Cortland – (1 half-time, 1 quarter time position filled) – The Inclusive Recreation Resource center has a mission to promote and sustain participation by people with disabilities in inclusive recreation activities and resources. This position will be a key staff member in delivering the activities and services of the resource center. Responsibilities include assisting with a comprehensive database for the recreation center, working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to gain access to their desired recreational activity, and assisting in evaluation and research activities of the project. A degree in therapeutic recreation or related field is preferred. Experience in therapeutic recreation, working with people with disabilities and working with a variety of political systems is preferred as well.
SUNY Parks Rec and Leisure Studies - (1 minimum-time position available) - The AmeriCorps member will assist in all aspects of planning and supervising the delivery of the after-school programs at Barry, Randall, and Parker Elementary Schools in Cortland, NY. Although supervision of the after-school program is the primary job responsibility, the member may also contribute service to Lime Hollow Center for Environment and Culture as consistent with the AmeriCorps mission, assisting in all aspects of the program at Lime Hollow, including day camps, community gardening, and trail development and maintenance.
SUNY Cortland Community Bike Project – (1 minimum-time position filled) – This position will help to oversee the management of rental operations, equipment and other aspects of the SUNY Cortland Community Bike Program. Members will assist with leadership and coordination of on campus experiences related to bicycling and campus sustainability. Qualifications for this position include the ability to coordinate and manage a large, campus-wide program with many volunteers. A clean driving record, experience maintaining bikes, and experience leading group bike trips are required. First Aid/ CPR certification and bicycle mechanic certification is preferred.
SUNY Cortland Institue for Civic Engagement – (1 full-time position available) – Assist the Institute for Civic Engagement team in the administration and development of the college’s community outreach programs, including service-learning (the integration of service with coursework), leadership development, research on the impact of high impact practices on student development and our social media outreach program. May also assist with community-based research projects and collection and analysis of data for assessment and evaluation purposes. Does other work in the areas of program development, assessment and reporting as assigned. Works on the Institute for Civic Engagement team with the Institute for Civic Engagement Director, Associate Director, Program Coordinator, and Service-Learning Coordinator.
Sustainable Cortland – (1 full-time position filled) – Sustainable Cortland represents a wide-scale community effort that improves overall sustainability of the community and SUNY Cortland. Responsibilities of this position include coordinating sustainability activities including Web site maintenance, a movie and speaker series, and SUNY Cortland Sustainability week.
YMCA of Cortland, NY – (1 full-time position available) – This position will work under the guidance of the YMCA Executive Director to assist in the development and implementation of programs, such as daily child care, after school, health and wellness, tween, teen, and senior. The member will also be involved in planning and implementing special programs and events. These include family fun nights, tween nights, birthday parties, 5K race series, and 2012 Summer Camp. Additional expectations include working and interacting with other volunteers. The AmeriCorps member should be a self starter and capable of working independently.
YWCA of Cortland, NY – (1 half-time position available, 1 half-time position filled) – This position will work with children to maintain a warm and stimulating environment within the structure developed by the Child Care Director and maintain the mission of the YWCA. Member will plan and implement activities for children and supervise children. Responsibilities will also include maintaining open lines of communication with parents and other staff, and acting as a positive role model for children. At least two years of college are required, as well as three years experience working with children. Must be 18 years old or older.
For information about volunteering as an AmeriCorps Member at any of the above mentioned agencies, please contact Dr. Richard Kendrick at (607) 753-2481 or Richard.Kendrick@cortland.edu.
