AmeriCorps Social Emotional Learning Intervention Specialist

Job Overview

Position Summary

 

AmeriCorps Social Emotional Learning Intervention Specialist

Example Contract dates:

• September 2nd, 2025 – May 9th, 2026 (36 Week Contract)
• September 15th, 2025 – May 23rd, 2026 (36 Week Contract)

*Contract start and end dates are flexible and rotate on a bi-weekly schedule 

450 Hour Contract - Minimum of 15 hours/week

Compensation: Living Allowance Total: $5,850  ($325.00 -taxes every 2 weeks over 36 weeks) + Education Award: $1,956.35   

Closing Date:  September 9th, 2025

Description: 

AmeriCorps is a national service program that takes a different approach to improve lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps Members commit their time to address critical community needs.  In Dubuque, AmeriCorps Members serve at the intersection of education and mental health to help youth understand their emotions, reactions, and relationships through social-emotional learning to improve academic, career, and social success. City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Members implement key skill-building program to have the following impacts:

1. Youth experience programs promoting healthy lifestyles resulting in decreased youth risk-related behaviors. 

2. Youth development skills to build meaningful and healthy relationships while experiencing being valued and respected.

3. Providing every young person with the opportunity to grow up safely and access their best possible future.

The Social-Emotional Learning Intervention Specialist plays a vital role in providing targeted support to at-risk youth in the Dubuque community. As an AmeriCorps member, you will be responsible for implementing evidence-based interventions, building positive connections with youth, and collaborating with community partners to address youth crises and promote social-emotional well-being. This position requires a compassionate and dedicated individual who is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth.

Benefits:

• Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service.

• Living Allowance

• Childcare coverage, if the member qualifies.

• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans

 

Job Duties

 

Service Responsibilities

1. Conduct Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) interventions:

1. Provide one-on-one and small-group SEL interventions using Changemakers Curriculum within the Check In, Check Out (CICO) Model.

2. Work closely with identifiedat-risk students to set goals, monitor behavior, and provide feedback and support.

3. Conduct SEL Interventions at least two times per week, focusing on improving social-emotional health and developing positive behavioral skills.

2. Build positive connections with youth:

1. Develop and maintain positive relationships with at-risk youth, serving as a trusted mentor and role model.

2. Foster a sense of trust, confidence, and belonging among the youth through regular interactions and mentorship.

3. Help students develop skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, personal responsibility, goal directed behavior, decision-making and optimistic thinking.

3. Collect and analyze program data:

1. Collect and analyze data related to student progress, intervention effectiveness, and student outcomes.

2. Document student achievements, behavior changes, and other relevant information.

3. Conduct the DESSA assessments to measure students' social-emotional competencies.

4. Collect data and feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

4. Support crisis intervention and student well-being:

1. Receive training and guidance to effectively handle de-escalation and crisis situations.

2. Respond calmly and provide appropriate support during challenging moments.

3. Ensure the safety and well-being of students during crisis situations.

5. Collaborate with AmeriCorps team members:

1. Work closely with AmeriCorps SEL Intervention Coordinator to share observations, student data, best practices and will collaborate on all AmeriCorps SEL Program Interventions and activities.

2. Participate in team meetings and maintain regular communication to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to addressing youth crises.

6. Volunteer Management:

1. Recruit, manage, monitor, train, and document volunteer involvement with SEL programming.

2. Coordinate with volunteers to support the implementation of activities and ensure a safe and supportive environment for participants.

2. Disaster Response (AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Team)

1. Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure the member has knowledge and ability to respond to disasters.

2. Complete other training necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training.

 

Qualifications

 

Physical Requirements: 

• Walk and carry materials up and down steps.

• Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.

• Lift 30 pounds.

• Bend, squat and kneel.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• Must be competent in working with at-risk youth, teenaged youth, and communities facing barriers.

• Applicant must have reliable transportation. 

• Applicant must be creative, energetic, dependable and a self-starter.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent OR agree to obtain one while under service to the AmeriCorps Program

• Be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit).

• Pass a national service criminal history check prior to first day of service due to reoccurring access to vulnerable populations.

• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident.

 

Supplemental Information

 

Service Schedule

The Social-Emotional Learning Intervention Specialist’s scheduled hours may fluctuate based on student schedules throughout the school year. Typical schedule: Mon - Fri: Serve flexibly between the hours of 9am - 3pm for a minimum of 15 hours per week. Opportunities for weekend hours or special events may become available during the year.

Example schedule for illustrative purposes:

• Monday: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

• Tuesday: Off

• Wednesday: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

• Thursday: Off

• Friday: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

• Saturday: Off

• Sunday: Off

Leave: Sick leave, personal leave, and holiday leave is allowed, but such time off does not count towards the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance. 

Disaster Deployment: Member who opt-in to be engaged in disaster deployment/activities will need to ensure availability for the term of the disaster deployments, generally 2-4 weeks.  Make plans for pets, family members, other employment and responsibilities that need regular attention.

Evaluations and Alternative Service

AmeriCorps Members are required by the program to complete Self-Evaluations. 

Mid-Term Evaluations: At the member’s halfway point during their term of service, the member will complete a self-evaluation and their Site Supervisor will complete an evaluation on the member through AmericaLearns. The member and site supervisor will meet, with or without Program Staff, to discuss the evaluations in-depth. These evaluations must be submitted to the AmeriCorps Program. 

End-Term Evaluations: Upon the completion of their AmeriCorps Contract, all members will complete an End-Term Evaluation through AmericaLearns. The End-Term Evaluation must be completed, signed, and submitted to the AmeriCorps Program within 30 days of the member’s final date of service. Non-submission of this document within the 30-day timeframe will lead to the member being exited for cause (see section 9 of the Member Service Agreement) and will forfeit the member’s right to the Education Award.

Members may engage in other allowable activities that are not specifically outlined in the position description, but that support the AmeriCorps program design, and which will help the Program meet its goals. Under no circumstances will members be asked to perform prohibited activities. Volunteers recruited and/or managed by AmeriCorps members will not participate in prohibited activities as outlined in the approved grant application.

APPLICATION: all applications are submitted electronically via this website.

Questions? CONTACT: City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program

Phone: 563.690.6171 Email: americorps@cityofdubuque.org

*AmeriCorps member will receive education award in the form of an electronic payment through myamericorpgs.gov. Education award may be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions or qualified student loans. Members who are 55+ years of age can transfer award to child or grandchild under specific conditions.

Note: AmeriCorps Members are compensated through the national AmeriCorps program and are not considered employees of the City of Dubuque.