AmeriCorps Customer Service & Technology Instructor

A Full Time AmeriCorps Position; the ideal candidate will have the desire and skills to work with young adults as they grow their skills through a rigorous customer service and digital literacy vocational training track that ultimately prepares them for retail (customer-facing) employment as well as post-secondary education.  This position is housed within the Business Administration Scholars (BAS) vocational track a specifically designed pre-college track, where students are prepared to handle work-school-life balance after YouthBuild. With the support of a team of individuals, this position will have teaching, service, mentoring and extracurricular responsibilities. 

This is a full-time year-long service position paid through a bi-monthly AmeriCorps stipend.  Regular hours will be approximately 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.  However, please note that some irregular hours are expected for this position as events demand.  Upon completion of the year-long service term, incumbents will be awarded an educational award as well.

The duties and responsibilities of the AmeriCorps – Customer Service & Technology Instructor are, as follows:

Create an engaging service site with our partner focused on alleviating food insecurity in the region. 

• Acting as the point person with established partner, supporting students roles within the non-profit and keeping students focused on the mission of alleviating food insecurity in the region
• Problem-solve with students the day-to-day barriers on the worksite, that arise and use this as teachable moments so they may build transferrable and professional skills  

Customer Service Training

• Teach classes to select students in the basics of customer service using an established customer service curriculum
• Grade students on their work and meet with them to discuss professional skills attainment
• Act as a support to the Customer Service Manager for the on-the-job training in an applied learning site for customer service 

Technology Training

• Teach established coursework to build foundational skills for Digital Literacy that will better prepare them for post-secondary school and employment
• Work with all students on their Digital Portfolios
• Attend weekly all-staff and department meetings, as well as any other meetings as required by the BAS Manager and Director of Vocational Training

Pre-College Support

• Guide and support young adults in the process of post-secondary educational discernment process

Vocational Leadership

• Believe deeply in the mission and values of YouthBuild Philadelphia
• Model professional behavior for students at all times
• Exhibit consistent positive rapport with students
• Develop teamwork and leadership skills of students
• Demonstrate creativity and flexibility in identifying locations and settings of professional-work opportunities, as well as in the teaching tools used in the career-readiness preparation.

Program Involvement

• Participate in the School’s Mentoring Program;
• Participate in community-service projects in keeping with the service ethic of the School;
• Support the overall climate and culture of the School, including but not limited to, the utilization of restorative-practices for disciplining students, support of leadership development, participation in events, and visits to worksites/internships, as appropriate;
• Support fundraising and related development efforts for the School.

Professional Development

• Continue to develop professional skills through trainings and professional-development activities offered both at the School and identified external trainings;
• Attend retreats, workshops, and conferences, as required.

[Physical Demands:

• Normal demands of a food inequity service site/warehouse space including but not limited to:
• Carrying boxes and supplies 
• Stooping & standing on your feet for long periods of time

Other duties as assigned by the BAS Manager or Director of Vocational Training

Qualifications

YouthBuild Philadelphia requires the following qualifications for this position:

• Experience with customer service - in a retail or customer facing position preferred
• Strong ability to use the latest versions of digital literacy tools including, MS Office, Email, Internet, Google Drive & relevant docs, blogging applications
• Basic understanding of the college application process
• Associates Degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred
• Teaching or formal training experience preferred, not required
• PA, PA Child Abuse, and Federal/FBI (Acts 24, 34, 114 and 151) criminal background clearances;
• Experience working in a team setting
• Ability to work enthusiastically with young people who have not completed high school
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present information to groups;

•  Ability to operate in a fast-paced, highly flexible work—often highly intense—work environment;
• Ability to travel to locations, organizations or events in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding counties;
• Creativity in developing strategies that lead to students’ success;
• High level of professionalism and customer-service skills;
• Respect for the intelligence and experiences of young adults;
• Strong commitment to helping young adults succeed in reorienting their lives, nurturing their leadership skills, and enabling them to make a difference in their community

To apply, send letter of interest and resume to Priscilla Tennant at careers@youthbuildphilly.org with the words “AmeriCorps Customer Service & Technology Instructor” in the subject line.  No phone calls, please.

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School

1231 North Broad Street, 5^th floor

Philadelphia, PA 19122

www.youthbuildphilly.org