Want to play a crucial role in designing and implementing a volunteer program for a dynamic community hub that centers human and planetary health and social justice?!
Benefits to being an AmeriCorps member:
AmeriCorps member benefits vary by program, and may include:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($6,895*)
Bi-Weekly Living Allowance (approximately $675 bi-weekly; varies depending on location)
Housing assistance available if needed
Student Loan Forbearance for eligible federal loans (interest paid by AmeriCorps)
Childcare reimbursement if eligible
Health Benefits
Training and Professional Development
Food Stamp Eligibility (depending on financial situation)
Relocation Assistance (VISTA only)
Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal employment (for 1 year after program completion; VISTA only)
Life Navigator (on-staff licensed counselor for members)
*Individuals are limited to two full Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards in their lifetime
Cobscook Institute began in 1999 as a community research project focused on improving the quality of life and increasing access to meaningful education in rural and under-resourced Washington County. Cobscook’s founders researched models of education that have led to sustained social change, particularly those emerging from rural communities. They leaned into pedagogies that center human and planetary health and social justice, that are adaptable, and that offer flexible pathways to respond to the dynamic needs of changing communities and environments.
Today, Cobscook Institute is home to the Cobscook Experiential Programs, a four-year experiential high school offered in partnership with a local accredited high school. Cobscook is also home to the Cobscook Center, which offers community-driven programs and a retreat and meeting center. Cobscook Institute also launched and incubated TREE - Trauma Responsive Equitable Education, conducting research and training on trauma-responsive strategies.
Cobscook Institute remains constant in the focus on fulfilling the mission to create responsive educational opportunities to strengthen personal, community, and global well-being. Opportunities abound for this model of grassroots education to be replicated in other rural communities facing similar challenges. Cobscook Institute restructured and reinvested in its community education and “community homeplace” initiatives following the pandemic.
A dynamic hub of activity, our capacity to do more well and be accessible to more will be served with the launch of a volunteer program. An AmeriCorps Vista member will play a crucial role in designing and implementing a volunteer program for the organization.
The Volunteer Coordinator VISTA will research best practices in volunteer programs including practices for recruitment, training supervision, acknowledgement, retention, and evaluation. They will work with the Cobscook staff and board to identify the organization’s greatest volunteer needs and a program structure that will best match our needs and culture. The member will recruit community members to serve in well-defined and appropriately supervised volunteer roles, establish a clear pathway to communicate volunteer opportunities to the community and a clear process for community members to step into positions, and coordinating amongst existing staff to establish clear and effective supervision for volunteers.
We look forward to hearing from you!