Program & Advising Fellow (AmeriCorps) - Fall 2024

Service Description 2024-2025

Breakthrough Central Texas (BTCTX), a non-profit organization, is changing lives with our community and student-centric approach to postsecondary access and completion. AmeriCorps members provide essential support to students who are on this path at various stages: middle school, high school and beyond. Members provide mentoring, academic support, coaching, program planning and implementation, and other activities to contribute to the success of Breakthrough students. Members will receive extensive training in a variety of areas to prepare them for a rewarding and successful placement with BTCTX.

Breakthrough Central Texas is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its applicants, staff members, and families, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. People of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

AmeriCorps Program & Advising Fellows work full-time (40-50 hours), Monday through Friday, and a handful of Saturdays each semester; with an increase in hours in the summer to accommodate the summer program schedule. They are assigned a caseload of students and are charged with providing one-on-one advising, academic support, and mentorship, while also co-leading programs Breakthrough puts on for students and families.

Serving as an AmeriCorps Member at Breakthrough Central Texas

BTCTX has four distinct program teams: Middle School Program, High School Program, Postsecondary Advising Program, and College & Career Success. Each team serves a specific population of Breakthrough students on the path to realizing their postsecondary aspirations.

Essential Functions

All of the below duties and responsibilities are essential position functions, though some members may have a greater responsibility for some of the functions listed. Individuals may be asked to perform other position-related duties within the scope of their normal service activities as requested by their supervisor or other Breakthrough staff member in alignment with the grant and not unallowable or prohibited activities, all subject to reasonable accommodation.

• Work closely with assigned supervisor to provide individualized support to assigned caseload of students
• Provide academic support services to students at the Breakthrough office or at the student’s campus
• Assist in the development and implementation of programming
• Support in cultivating and managing Breakthrough volunteers assigned to your team and/or students
• Mentor students on the skills and strategies needed for success in attaining postsecondary goals
• Act as a role model to Breakthrough students
• Communicate with students and families regularly
• Approach work with cultural competence in working with vulnerable populations
• Participate actively in all training, professional development, civic reflection, and service activities

Specific Team Responsibilities

Middle School Program

• Advise a caseload of ~50, 6-8th grade students
  • Provide one-on-one academic advising and checking in on overall well-being, includes communicating with students and families after school and occasionally during evening hours
  • Visit campuses 2-3 times a week to conduct advising appointments
  • Track and communicate updates on student progress and needs to relevant stakeholders (families, teachers and team members)
• Host after-school program for students 2-3 days a week
• Participate in summer planning committees to support the development of an immersive, nine week summer program
• Aid in the planning and implementation of Breakthrough’s Middle School summer program and school year Saturday program events

High School Program

• Advise a caseload of ~50, 9-12th grade students
  • Provide one-on-one academic advising and checking in on overall well-being, includes communicating with students after school and evening hours
  • Visit campuses 2-3 times a week to conduct advising appointments
  • Track and communication updates on student progress and needs relevant stakeholders (families, teacher and team members)
  • Host after-school program for student 2-3 days a week
• Participate in summer planning committees to support the development summer program
• Aid in the planning and implementation of Breakthrough’s High School summer programming for three (10th, 11th and 12th grade) summer institute and school year Saturday program events

Postsecondary Advising Program (PSAP) - School-based role at Manor New Tech High School

• Advise a caseload of ~75 juniors and seniors at Manor New Tech HS Monday - Friday from 8am-4pm to aid in the creation of of college and careers experiences
• Support in the delivery of Breakthrough’s PSAP program including student and family workshops and seminars
• and school year Saturday program events
• Participate in campus leadership meetings and support

College & Career Success Team (CCST)

• Advise a caseload of ~70 students on post secondary pathways varying from 2 or 4 year colleges, trade or vocational schools or licensure programs, providing one-on-one academic advising and checking in on overall well-being
• Travel regionally in Texas to visit with enrolled students 2-3 times a semester to conduct in-person advising appointments and other university meetings; requires overnight stays in urban and rural areas of the state
• Aid in the planning and implementation of Breakthrough’s CCST program events

Member Requirements

• Members will have recurring access to vulnerable populations
• Wear the AmeriCorps logo daily
• Available to work nights and weekends for scheduled events and for urgent student needs
• Reliable transportation (personal vehicle)

Qualifications

Members will have the following qualifications:

• Have a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Be a U.S. citizen, or U.S. national or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Have a commitment to community service and the ability to serve for the complete program year
  • Middle School and High School Teams: September 3, 2024 - August 8, 2025
  • College & Career Success and Schoolwide/PSAP Teams: September 3, 2024 - August 22, 2025

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Effective communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to follow through
• Flexibility and openness to changing roles
• Ability to work cooperatively on a team
• Respond well to constructive criticism
• Effective academic support and mentoring skills
• Willingness to learn and attend all AmeriCorps trainings
• Commitment to working with youth and to service
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Ability to complete paperwork and meet deadlines
• Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred

Member Hours, Benefits, & Compensation

Full-time (year-round) members are required to accumulate 1700 hours and complete the full term of service period of September 3, 2024 to August 8 or August 22, 2025*. Members receive the following:

• Living Stipend:
  • 1st-Year Fellows (AmeriCorps Member) - $31,986
  • 2nd-Year Fellows (AmeriCorps Leader) - $34,637
  • 3rd-Year+ Fellows (AmeriCorps Senior Leaders) - $37,400
• Education Award - $7,395
  • Upon successful completion of the Member’s 1700 service hours and completion of the full term of service, members are eligible to receive an Education Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service of $7,395 to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. Members may receive no more than the aggregate value of two full-time education awards.
• Optional health insurance coverage at no cost
• On-going support and professional development from experienced educators and non-profit leaders
• Assistance finding housing and other resources for members

Disaster Recovery Response Clause

In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by OneStar to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of the member’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale, high needs local, state, or federal disaster, AmeriCorps members may voluntarily or be required by OneStar to deploy to an area outside of their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities.