Commonwealth Corps Program Fellow

The mission of Commonwealth Corps (CC), a state-funded service internship program administered by the Massachusetts Service Alliance, is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism. The Commonwealth Corps provides opportunities for skill-building and leadership development and encourages and enhances a lifelong civic vocation for Corps members. Corps members provide direct service, build capacity, and recruit, organize and mobilize additional volunteers, thus building a grassroots movement of volunteers dedicated to service.

 

We care passionately about service and volunteerism and our employees. For more information about our organization, visit www.mass-service.org. MSA strives to be an anti-racist State Service Commission that centers justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into the work and mission of our organization, and we invite you to read MSA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Guiding Statement. 

 

A critical aspect of the CC program is the opportunity for our service members to develop the skills and knowledge to be effective leaders in their communities. The Commonwealth Corps Program Fellow will take the lead on coordinating and strengthening the professional development aspect of our program. The fellow will also be a part of the CC program team in supporting our 29 members and 14 host site partners through administrative and personal support. 

 

·       Coordinate virtual and in-person trainings for CC members approximately twice a month, including:

o   Collaborate with external facilitators to prepare content and structure of trainings

o   Set up logistics of training and send out details to members

o   Manage technical support during trainings, including taking attendance, creating breakout rooms in Zoom, etc. (if not facilitating)

o   Option to develop and/or facilitate training(s) 

·       Support asynchronous professional development offerings by managing our online learning system, including adding new content and approving member submissions. 

·       Improve systems for evaluation of PD effectiveness and propose changes as needed. 

·       Provide individualized professional development support to members through gathering input and sharing resources, focusing on members next steps after service.

·       Conduct one-on-one check-in meetings with ~15 members over Zoom or the phone (once every two months)

·       Support Alumni Engagement, including the Alumni Mentoring Program and Alumni meet-ups.

·       Based on fellow’s own interests and skills, option to propose an additional project to enhance an aspect of the program.

·       Assist CC Program staff with additional program operations, including:

o   Host Site application and selection process

o   Program communications tasks

o   Member recruitment, selection, and onboarding

o   Community Advisory Committee logistic planning and participation

o   General support to members and host site staff

 

·       Interest in supporting the professional growth of community-based individuals

·       Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion  

·       Excited to contribute new ideas and brainstorm new initiatives  

·       Collaborative spirit and ready to work with a team

·       Strong communication and organizational skills and attention to detail

·       Highly comfortable with Microsoft Office and Google Suite and learning new technology

·       Compassionate and caring individual who can successfully support diverse individuals

·       Experience participating in a service year program (e.g. Commonwealth Corps, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, etc.) 

·       Spanish language proficiency

 

·       This is a one-term fellowship opportunity from August 2023 – July 2024, with an earlier end date possible if needed. 

·       The fellow will typically work 15-20 hours per week. Their exact schedule is flexible and will be determined in collaboration with the CC Program Staff, however it must include time for collaboration and meetings during typical work hours of Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. 

·       The fellow must be able to attend all virtual and in-person member trainings, which will be scheduled ahead of time.  

 

Hybrid Work Environment:

·       The current MSA staff policy requires 2 in-person office days a week, however flexibility for remote work options may be possible.  

 

·       Compensation: This position pays $25/hour, minus taxes and withholdings.

·       Travel: To assist with commuting costs and to encourage the use of public transportation, MSA will cover 50% of the cost of public transit to the office. Parking will not be covered. MSA will reimburse 100% for any travel beyond the daily commute required of the position. 

·       The Member Assistance Program (MAP): offered by AllOne Health, MAP offers MSA employees quality mental health services including: unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services, 30-minute financial and legal assistance consultations, medical advocacy, and more.

·       Lunch breaks, holidays, vacation and sick time: If the fellow is working a full day (9am-5pm) they should account for a 1 hour lunch break for a total of 7 hours of work. Fellows can request paid sick/personal/vacation time through their supervisor. All organizational policies will be discussed as part of onboarding.

 

To apply, please complete this application form: https://www.tfaforms.com/5021193 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with priority to be given to individuals who apply by July 28th, 2023. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

 

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