THIS POSITION IS A SERVICE MEMBER ROLE EMPLOYED BY THE FEDERAL AMERICORPS PROGRAM.

This position is not an employee of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and is not eligible for IRC benefits. Service members who accept a role for placement at the IRC are eligible to apply for an IRC staff role once the service term is complete. This position will complete 900 hours of service within 12 months while receiving a living stipend via the federal AmeriCorps program. The total living stipend received over 12 months is $12,321 via biweekly payments of $473.88. Upon completion of the 900 hours of service, the member will be eligible to receive an Education Award of $3,697.50.

AmeriCorps Program Overview:

Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Salt Lake County's Most Vulnerable Populations AmeriCorps Program focuses on reducing systematic inequities. AmeriCorps members help bridge the gap and reduce barriers for a variety of vulnerable populations including but not limited to; youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those involved in the Criminal Justice System. AmeriCorps is a voluntary civil society program supported by the U.S. federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors by engaging adults in public service work, with a goal of helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. "The program is often seen as the domestic Peace Corps."

IRC Background:

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or throughout the U.S. IRC resettles approximately 10,000 refugees per year and provides numerous program services to assist the refugee from their arrival through citizenship. In Salt Lake City, the IRC opened its doors 1994 and has since grown to serve approximately 2,000 refugees annually through nearly 20 different programs.

Scope:  

The Housing Access & Landlord Engagement AmeriCorps will help ensure newly arriving refugee families maintain access to safe and affordable housing options while remaining housing stable. This includes engaging landlords, new and existing, to provide education on refugee resettlements in support of deepened partnerships, connect with families to ensure understanding of their lease agreements and tenant responsibilities, and support with initial housing setups. The AmeriCorps service member will directly support positive tenant/landlord relationships to promote eviction prevention and promote housing stability for refugee households new to Utah.

Key Responsibilities:

•            Support housing moves and furniture donation pickups to ensure refugee families arrive to a fully furnished home.

•            Collaborate across resettlement programming to support housing stability check-ins to improve tenant/landlord relationships, including education on tenant responsibilities and rights.

•            Develop and employ resources and partnership-building activities to improve landlord and property management partner relationships.

•            Support efforts to ensure household compliance with federal immigration law, including supporting families to complete submission of AR-11 forms

•            Meet expectations of the AmeriCorps service opportunity in compliance with all federal rules.

•            Participate in all relevant team meetings, staff meetings, and AmeriCorps trainings and calls, etc.

•            Support general office logistics, such as office support and front desk, as applicable and feasible.

•            Maintain professionalism, customer service, and IRC Way ideals when working with the community.

•            Other reasonable tasks and projects as assigned.

Learning Objectives:

•            Gain a deeper understanding the landscape of low-to-moderate incoming housing as well as tenant rights & responsibilities.

•            Gain a better understanding of refugee resettlement and the ecosystem of support for newly arriving refugees.

•            Develop skills to effectively build and sustain partnerships integral to service delivery.

•            Develop skills to effectively support and retain volunteers, including clear and frequent communications.

Key working relationships:

Position Report to: Housing & Logistics Coordinator

Position directly supervises: Community volunteers, as relevant.