Simpson College
AmeriCorps Service & Community Engagement Coordinator
Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, United States, 50125
AmeriCorps Service & Community Engagement Coordinator
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
MLK Day of Service
Welcome Week Service Project
Fall Break Service Day
Spring Break Service Trip
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.
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.
The position includes an on‑campus apartment, as well as an educational award that can be applied toward student loans.
Benefit Info
AmeriCorps members serving in a full‑time position receive a living stipend totaling $22,500, which is paid out bi‑weekly at approximately $900 per pay period (pre‑tax).
Health Insurance: Full‑time AmeriCorps members qualify for a health insurance plan through Corps National Health Plan.
Education Award: Upon successful completion of their service term, members are eligible to receive an education award. This goes toward paying for school, paying for qualified student loans, and many other non‑traditional uses. The education award is $7,395.
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.
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.
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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
MLK Day of Service
Welcome Week Service Project
Fall Break Service Day
Spring Break Service Trip
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.
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.
The position includes an on‑campus apartment, as well as an educational award that can be applied toward student loans.
Benefit Info
AmeriCorps members serving in a full‑time position receive a living stipend totaling $22,500, which is paid out bi‑weekly at approximately $900 per pay period (pre‑tax).
Health Insurance: Full‑time AmeriCorps members qualify for a health insurance plan through Corps National Health Plan.
Education Award: Upon successful completion of their service term, members are eligible to receive an education award. This goes toward paying for school, paying for qualified student loans, and many other non‑traditional uses. The education award is $7,395.
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.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr