Make an impact in your community while growing your career!
WACAP’s AmeriCorps Program is a unique way to gain professional development experience in child welfare while making a difference in your community. If you’re passionate about reunifying families, ensuring the safety of kids in need, and creating a lasting impact on the lives of children in the dependency system then join our program today!
Program Overview
The Volunteer Recruitment Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the 8,000 children in the dependency system have a volunteer advocate to represent them in court. In this position, you will work within your local, county dependency program to recruit and support new volunteers who are interested in advocating for children in need as Child Advocate Volunteers or Volunteer Guardian ad Litems.
Members collaborate with their host site, the AmeriCorps Project Coordinator, and other AmeriCorps Members throughout Washington State to complete volunteer recruitment projects. High-level customer service and communication skills are essential to effectively communicate the mission, values, and goals of our organization to the public.
Key Responsibilities
- Community Outreach: Lead outreach efforts by researching and attending various community events to promote volunteerism such as county fairs, community days, farmer’s markets, speaking engagements, etc.
- Marketing: Collaborate with Host Site and fellow AmeriCorps members to develop a marketing strategy aimed at engaging a diverse pool of volunteers.
- Data Tracking: Maintain accurate records of recruitment activities and outcomes. Track and report on volunteer engagement efforts. Develop and collect follow-up surveys to improve the program and volunteer experience.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local universities, corporations, and community organizations to foster volunteer recruitment.
- Volunteer support: Additional volunteer engagement and retention responsibilities may be assigned by the Host Site and may include:
- Assist volunteers with registration, orientation and on-going training activities.
- Conduct check-ins and help volunteers prepare for core training requirements (i.e.fingerprinting, reference checks, and gathering and distributing training materials).
Benefits
*All benefits shown below pertain to the 2024-25 service year and may change for the next term.
Living Allowance:
Full-time (~40 hours/week): $23,560
Part-time (~20 hours/week): $12,474
Segal Educaation Award:
Full-time: $7,395.00
Part-time: $3,697.50
Student Loan Forbearance:
For qualified student loans during the service term.
Child Care Assistance:
For full-time members only.
Student Loan Interest Payment:
Payment of interest on qualified student loans accrued during the service term, paid upon successful completion.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness:
Serving full-time qualifies as “employment” towards the program. Learn more.
Counseling and Support Services:
24/7 acess.
Professional Development Training:
Opportunities for skill enhancement.
Career Introduction:
Exposure to the child welfare field and professional networking opportunities.
Locations
Members are placed throughout Washington State at their local county Child Advocate/CASA programs (Host Site). Members collaborate with their Host Site Supervisor on their schedule and tasks for their term. Members will also update and communicate with WACAP’s AmeriCorps Project Coordinator throughout their term, who will help to guide them on their professional development journey.
Program Eligibility & Requirements
- Possess a high school diploma, and GED certificate, or agrees to achieve GED during the term of service.
- Be at least 20 years of age at the commencement of service.
- Have unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess permanent resident status and provide documentation as determined by AmeriCorps.
- Commitment to serve for the entire term, October 2024 – August 2025.
- Pass a National Service Criminal History Search Requirement.
- Note: A criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate unless they are on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of First Degree Murder. Consent for background checks is required upon accepting the position
Preferred Qualifications
- Some college preferred or equivalent experience/ training.
- Strong written and oral communication skills (bilingual ability is a plus).
- Strong organizational skills, including multi-tasking, time management, and program coordination.
- Familiarity with or experience in the foster care/ dependency system.
- Outgoing with a desire and ability to work with diverse groups of people.
- Motivated, adaptable, and capable of working independently.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace Applications is a plus.
How to Apply
Applications for our 2024-25 term are currently closed. If you are interested in applying to our 2025-26 term, follow our socials or send an email to americorps@wachildadvocates.org to be added to our recruitment list. We generally begin recruitment for the new term between June – September. Please reference our 2024-25 service description for more info.
