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“This position was my way of stepping into the field of conservation, so I think that, generally, having completed this position will allow me to firmly set my feet in the field. Additionally, I have ambitions to attend graduate school and I am confident that this experience will help me clarify my research interests and be better positioned to seek out and successfully apply to graduate positions.” - Alex Stephanson, The Nature Conservancy -
“I have really found something that I loved to do at the CTA and it's totally taken my career in a slightly unexpected but great direction. Being given the responsibly to manage programs and make decisions has really helped me grow professionally.” -Courtney Dickerson, Catamount Trail Association -
“This service term with the AmeriCorps has definitely given me a lot more perspective on what makes a community work, and how non-profits and government organizations can make a real difference when they are there with intentions on improving a community. I was really struggling out of college to find a job in my degree, the big thing I lacked was the experience that everyone seemed to require. This service term has provided me with a wealth of experience to make myself a serious candidate.” - John Plummer, Green Mountain Club -
“The experience I gained, connections I made with AmeriCorps members and staff, NBNC members and staff, community members and folks from other organizations was immensely important for my securing of future employment. I had not previously served with a non-profit but was certainly looking to do so and feel so lucky for the opportunity that AmeriCorps presented me. I feel that my interest in service, volunteering etc led me to pursue a position with AmeriCorps and my experience here has further enhanced that.” - Braden DeForge, North Branch Nature Center
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- The Mission: Getting things done
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AmeriCorps mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. This is an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to put their values into action to make a difference where the need is greatest.
At VHCB AmeriCorps, members are placed at nonprofits that support housing and conservation. Members serve at homeless shelters, senior centers, and conservation sites. They clean up streams, work with people to navigate rental assistance programs, teach New Americans how to connect to Vermont’s environment, manage volunteers at food banks, and so much more. No matter who you are or what skills you have, there is a place for you to make the world a better place. If you want to get on-the-ground experience directly supporting communities and/or doing the work needed for our environment, give your time and your talent with VHCB AmeriCorps.
- The Perks
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Doing good doesn’t have to mean volunteering for free; while you are contributing to meaningful programs that strengthen communities, VHCB AmeriCorps takes care of you!
Living Allowance
You’ll receive a modest living allowance that helps you while you contribute to solving issues in Vermont. The amount fluctuates each year, but you can expect a stipend of around $886 (pre-tax) paid on a biweekly basis. For 11-month positions, this adds up to $25,500 and for 6-month positions, around $18,000.
Education Award
After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. You can use your education award to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. The award value fluctuates each year but is around $6,495 (pre-tax) for a year of full-time service, and is for $4,546.50 for 6 month positions. You can use your award all at once, or use it over time and you can take up to seven years after your term of service has ended to use your award.
Some colleges and universities will also offer additional benefits such as matching your AmeriCorps Education Award, providing scholarships or fellowships for AmeriCorps alumni, giving you in-state tuition prices, awarding academic credit for your experience, or providing other incentives! Browse institutions and see what they offer here: https://americorps.gov/partner/partnerships/schools-national-service
Other perks
On top of that, AmeriCorps Members can opt in for healthcare, put a “pause” on repaying any federal student loan debt, and receive tons of training on a wide variety of topics such as CPR, non-profit management, diversity-equity-inclusion, professional development, and other position-specific topic
- The Community
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VHCB AmeriCorps itself is a network of 28 organizations. Members serving in this network are able to connect with each other through member gatherings, training, and other channels of connection. Whether you are moving from out of state or have spent your whole life in Vermont, you are sure to make some great new friends. We are also actively growing our VHCB AmeriCorps alumni network, which includes dozens of past members working in government positions, non-profits around the nation, and more!
Beyond our immediate network, when you serve with AmeriCorps, you join a network of more than 1 million strong. AmeriCorps alumni continue to give back to the country through civic-minded activity. The community you build while serving with AmeriCorps is unlike any other.
- The Skills
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AmeriCorps can be a great position for anybody, and especially those who are just launching their career or making a career switch. AmeriCorps supervisors are prepared to give you in-depth training and one on one support to help you build skills and contribute meaningfully to your host site. Through your service, you will get important experience in your field.
Plus, up to 20% of your service hours can be approved training hours. VHCB AmeriCorps coordinates several trainings including topics such as first aid and CPR, Diversity-Equity-Inclusion, conflict management, fundraising 101, volunteer management, and more! You may also attend relevant trainings on your own with approval from your supervisor, or sometimes your host site will organize trainings for you. For example, one member at the Green Mountain Club traveled to Arizona for a 5-day “Leave No Trace” Training.
Future employers know the value of AmeriCorps too! A 2017 report found that 24% of resumes listing AmeriCorps service received a call back for an interview, compared to 17% of resumes without a service record.
What Do Past AmeriCorps Members Have to say?
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What do AmeriCorps members do after their program?
Check out all the different positions held by VHCB AmeriCorps Alumni:
- Community and Policy Manager at Vermont Council on Rural Development
- Community Development Specialist at the State of Vermont
- Youth Leadership Coordinator at Audubon Vermont
- Associate Director of Compliance at Champlain Housing Trust
- Activity Director at Guardian Elder Care
- Director of Stewardship at The Nature Conservancy
- Senior Analyst at Energy Futures Group
- Director of Development and Communications at Central Vermont Council on Aging
- Graduate Research Assistant in Community Sustainability at Michigan State University
- J.D. Candidate at Vermont Law School
- Arborologist at Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements
Click here To see what VHCB AmeriCorps Alumni say About Their Service, How It Impacted Them, And how it led them to Where They Are Now.
Ready to join? Explore our open positions and apply here.
