300 Hour Benefits Hub Student Ambassador

START/END DATE: 11/18/2024 - 6/27/2024

Organization Overview

Community and technical colleges are an affordable way for people to get a higher education, yet fewer than half of community college students earn a credential. Benefits Hub helps students stay in school and complete their education by offering financial tools and resources through coaching, workshops, and grants. In the 2024-2025 school year, Benefits Hub will provide 15,000 interventions to 4,500 students and target our efforts toward students of color, parenting students, and first-generation college students to take steps towards undoing systemic inequities.

Position Description

The Benefits Hub Student Ambassador is a leadership project that offers students an opportunity to represent and promote the Benefits Hub to all students, staff, and faculty members. Through peer-to-peer outreach Benefits Hub Student Ambassadors will be able to help educate the campus community regarding food access and basic needs resources that are available to students. Student Ambassadors will conduct campus outreach to engage more students with the Benefits Hub and enhance personal and professional skills. The Benefits Hub Student Ambassador will serve in a variety of capacities and participate in training opportunities unique to their college setting.

Duties and Responsibilities

Upon hire, Student Ambassadors will work an average of 10-11 hours per week in order to reach a total of 300hrs of service by the end of term. The Student Ambassadors will be supervised by the campus Benefits Hub Lead. The Student Ambassadors will work to increase outreach for Benefits Hub services, support campus food security, and other student needs projects as assigned. This position will predominantly work in-person based on campus needs and projects.

The Benefits Hub Student Ambassadors will participate in the following service areas:

  1. Help reduce campus food and basic needs insecurities through increasing awareness of the Benefits Hub services by conducting various outreach activities. Examples such as the following:
  1. Create social media content
  2. Create and hand out flyers for students
  3. Attend campus tabling events
  4. Deliver presentations about the Benefits Hub and food access resources in classes to increase student engagement in the program.
  5. Increase student access to immediate food assistance:
  1. Support the campus food pantry through outreach and engagement activities
  2. Prepare and package food from the campus food pantry to be given to students or for DoorDash delivery if available at your campus.
  3. Support fellow students with scheduling appointments with a Benefits Hub Coach.
  4. Other duties as assigned

Position Length: About 32 Weeks, must serve a total of 300 Service Hours

Start Date: November 18th  

End Date: June 27th

Eligibility

Benefits Hub Student Ambassadors must maintain a caring, service-oriented attitude with respect to the college and project objectives. This attitude is represented in a willingness to attend all project training sessions and serve in capacities deemed appropriate by the project supervisor. 

Continued academic progress toward each student’s goal is central to the philosophy of the Student Ambassador program. Students are encouraged to apply only if they believe the program and service commitment will enhance their educational and professional goals without hindering academic progress.

To be eligible for the Student Ambassador program, students must:

  1. Be currently enrolled as a student for the 2024-2025 academic year at one of the following colleges:
    • South Seattle College
    • Green River College
    • Highline College
  1. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  2. Have excellent communication and listening skills.
  3. Be able to work average of 10-11 hours per week in order to meet a total of 300 Services by end of service date.
  4. Be able to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of confidential student information.

Additionally, this is an AmeriCorps position and therefore students MUST meet the required federal AmeriCorps guidelines:

  • Must be over 18 years old on the first day of service
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Unfortunately, F1 visas are not sufficient.
  • MUST be able to provide the appropriate documentation for citizenship status, a full list of viable documents can be found here: https://bit.ly/3TcSssM
  • Must be available 10-11 hours per week and meet a total of 300 hours served through service end date, June 27th.
  • Must be comfortable working in-person.
  • Must undergo a Washington State Patrol background check, FBI background check and National Sex Offender Registry Check.
  • Have a high school diploma/equivalent or be working toward completing one during the service year.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Bi-weekly stipend of $490.87 (pre-tax)
  • $1,565.08 Education Award upon successful completion of service
  • $100 Professional Development Stipend – Can only be used once during service term
  • Unlimited free transportation with a pre-paid ORCA Card
  • Campus Parking Pass provided by campus
  • Food Handler’s Permit
  • Enrollment in an assistance program with 24-hour access to phone counseling
  • Lifelong friends and colleagues who are passionate about service!

Professional Development Benefits

  1. Build trust. Ambassadors add a layer of authenticity to the Benefits Hub. While staff and AmeriCorps members are seen as authority figures, students can see Ambassadors as peers and equals. Students may feel more comfortable asking Ambassadors questions about basic needs resources. 
  2. Gain leadership experience. Being a Student Ambassador offers students a chance to grow their leadership and communication skills and inspire other students to take advantage of the resources that are available to them.
  3. Job diversity. Benefits Hub Student Ambassadors will hold a diverse range of diverse jobs and responsibilities. Ambassadors will be able to build a professional network as they have the opportunity to work with campus staff/faculty as well as external professionals from a variety of industries (i.e. United Way).
  4. In addition to these benefits, Student Ambassadors can expect:
    • Leadership and professional development opportunity
    • Flexible work schedule
    • Pathway for future employment on and off campus
    • Priority selection for future year-long Benefits Hub AmeriCorps positions 
    • Part of a network of hundreds of AmeriCorps alum
    • Opportunity to support fellow students 
    • Builds networking skills and connections on campus

Qualifications

  • We believe that the communities we serve must be centered in the work we do therefore students of color and first generation college students are highly encouraged to apply.
  • Second language skill is highly desirable so that we can offer connections to students in their preferred or native languages
  • Understanding of systemic racism and commitment to anti-racist work to ensure outputs are relevant and accessible to students
  • Flexibility and quick problem-solving skills to balance the variety of service activities and any potential shift in student/program priorities
  • Ability to communicate clearly with staff members, partners, and community members
  • Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with team, partners, and the campus community

Preferred Knowledge and Experience

  • Familiarity with Washington State, especially communities most greatly impacted by food and housing insecurity
  • Strong computer skills and experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and social media sites
  • Experience as a tutor, mentor, or resource navigator

If you do not have the preferred knowledge, experience, or qualifications, please do not be discouraged from applying. We offer professional development, support, and on-the-job learning.

To Apply: Create an application on My AmeriCorps Portal or click here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=108821

  • No resume or cover letter is required.
  • The application process moves quickly, please expect a response within 1-2 days.
  • Please contact unitedwayamericorps@uwkc.org with any questions.
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