Click here for application instructions or to learn more about each Americorps position.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.
Begun in 1994, the AmeriCorps programs provide opportunities for Americans to make an intensive commitment to service. The AmeriCorps network of local, state, and national service programs engages more than 70,000 Americans in vigorous service each year. AmeriCorps members serve through more than 3,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and other community organizations, helping meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.
What is AmeriCorps?
The Rural Action AmeriCorps Watersheds program began its inaugural year on August 10, 2009. In 2011, 14 AmeriCorps were sworn in for the 2011-2012 program year. Members were placed within Rural Action programs, including; The Monday Creek Restoration Project, The Sunday Creek Watershed Group, The Huff Run Watershed Partnership, the Mud Run Streamkeepers, the Zero Waste Initiative, and the Environmental Education Program. Members were also placed within Rural Action’s partner organizations, including; The Buckeye Trail Association, the Leading Creek Whatershed Group, and the Raccoon Creek Partnership.
Unlike AmeriCorps*VISTA, Rural Action’s other AmeriCorps project through the Corporation for National and Community Service, this is an AmeriCorps State program. AmeriCorps State programs are administered by commissions in each state. The Ohio Community Service Council headquartered in Columbus serves as the oversight agency for our AmeriCorps Watershed program.
Who will I serve as an AmeriCorps member?
The overall mission of the AmeriCorps program is for members to serve locally to address community-based needs. AmeriCorps members with Rural Action will serve a total of 1700 hours of service in a 12 month period. Watershed AmeriCorps members will assist in providing activities related to improving water quality and community support for the watershed organizations where assigned. Such activities as water monitoring, stream sampling, data entry and analysis of testing results, community outreach activities with a focus on environmental education experiences for local youth and adults, events such as tree plantings, stream sweeps, fundraising and grant writing for projects will all be part of their assigned tasks for the coming year.
Additionally, as a team, the AmeriCorps members are expected to complete a large service project. For the 2011-2012 program year, the AmeriCorps members have chosen to work with GoodWorks and assist in planning their annual Walk For the Homeless.
How do AmeriCorps pay the bills?
For their service the members receives a modest living allowance, health insurance and an education award of $5,550 at the completion of the term of service.
How do I apply to be an AmeriCorps member?
AmeriCorps members are selected through a review process involving an initial screening of the application, an interview, and a review of references. For people interested in becoming an AmeriCorps with MCRP through Rural Action, Rural Action and MCRP staff members screen the applicants and send the necessary paperwork to the AmeriCorps office in Columbus, Ohio.
To request an application or more information, contact:
Rural Action
AmeriCorps Supervisor
PO Box 157
Trimble, OH 45732
Phone: 740.767.4938