Digital Inclusion Specialist (LISC AmeriCorps)

Description

Digital Inclusion Specialist

Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services (RIS) Department works to build welcoming communities for refugees and immigrants and accompanies newcomers on a path from surviving to thriving. The Digital Inclusion Specialist (LISC AmeriCorps), under the supervision of the Economic Empowerment Coordinator, will play a vital role in developing and implementing strategies to promote digital inclusion among Inspiritus clients. They will be developing an employment digital inclusion curriculum tailored to the organizations served populations. This curriculum will be delivered by the Digital Inclusion Specialist to all newly arrived refugees during required Cultural Orientation as well as to a small cohort of clients on a monthly basis. In addition to group instruction, the Digital Inclusion Specialist will also serve as a 1:1 coach providing individual, needs-based digital literacy coaching centered around employment. As a complement to both individual and group coaching, the Digital Inclusion Specialist will be responsible for walk-in computer lab hours and the IT lending library.

Position Details:

• Part Time- 20 hours/week
• Refugee & Immigrant Services
• Program: Economic Empowerment
• Reports to Economic Empowerment Coordinator
• Located in: Atlanta
• Work Environment: This is a hybrid position requiring days in-office on a weekly basis. 
• Travel is estimated up to 50%
• Standard operating hours for Refugee Services are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Exact starting and end hours can be discussed and adjusted with direct supervisor.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate employment barriers resulting from lack of access to or existing knowledge of technology
• Research and collect resources to promote digital literacy
• Develop and deliver an employment digital inclusion curriculum
• Serve as a 1:1 coach providing individual, needs based digital literacy coaching
• Manage walk-in computer lab hours on a weekly basis and manage the digital lending library
• Update and track goal outputs/outcomes with accuracy and timeliness
• Coordinate program activities with related activities within the department and in other departments to ensure efficiency and economy
• Comply with all placement site COVID-19 safety policies
• Attend placement site, community, and LISC meetings 
• It is up to the placement site supervisor to ensure that the Member does not perform general office support; it is the Member’s responsibility to report any perceived Prohibited Activities, including general office support, to their local LISC contact.
• In performing these activities, the placement site and LISC AmeriCorps anticipate that the Member will achieve the following goal(s):

Provide 35 clients with employment services where 20 clients will secure employment – or secure better employment – as a result of the aforementioned activities

In order to meet the goal(s), the Member should work closely with their supervisor to develop a work-plan at the onset of service and training needed to achieve the goal(s). LISC can support workplan development if requested. Progress toward goal attainment will be measured monthly through an online system.

The Member will have an immediate supervisor at the placement site and a LISC point of contact throughout the term of service for coaching, mentoring, and training support in order to undertake activities to achieve a community goal.

Other Program Requirements:

• The Member will perform his/her/their day-to-day service at the placement site.
• The Member is required to track time and submit timesheets twice per month and submit a monthly report through the same online system (training is provided).
• Normal service hours are dictated by the placement site. Occasional evening and weekend service may be required. Members are eligible for all Federal Holidays off (except Dr. Martin King Jr. Day).
• It is expected that the Member will be flexible as oftentimes service requires some evenings and weekends.
• The Member understands that he/she/they shall be generally providing service directly to the people and in the communities where he/she/they serve. Teleservice is defined as service not performed at the placement site or in the community. In instances where teleservice may be required (e.g. COVID-19, other public health emergency, natural disaster, allowed by placement site policy), the Member’s direct supervisor at the placement site will provide the appropriate documentation, supervision and oversight.
• The Member will document all instances of teleservice via the LISC AmeriCorps online timekeeping system. Remote service is NOT permitted under the AmeriCorps State and National program. Remote service is defined as an arrangement in which a member is not located within the commuting area of the geographic community where the service is to occur as is not expected to be physically present at the service site and/or community events.
• Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:  
  • Attend an onboarding session coordinated by LISC both virtually or in person;
  • Attend all locally sponsored monthly meetings both virtually and in person;
  • Participate in nationally sponsored webinars;
  • Actively participate in at least two team coordinated service projects (one for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and one for National AmeriCorps Week), and; Engage in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC office 

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English 
• Experience and/or interest in working in a culturally diverse environment
• Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
• Ability to set limits and maintain the helping role of the practitioner
• Excellent computer skills, accurate typing, and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Must have the ability to communicate with all persons in a culturally competent manner
• Must be sensitive to the service populations cultural and socioeconomic characteristics
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience in IT, business, social science, or social work field. 
• Experience working with a diverse staff and/or volunteers
• Familiarity with major Atlanta employers, public transportation, and neighborhoods
• Experience with human services programs
• Reads, writes, and speaks a relevant foreign language

Additional Program Qualifications:

• To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps Member, LISC’s policy is that a candidate: (1) must be eligible to serve, (2) must not have previously resigned from a LISC AmeriCorps position; and (3) if having previously served, been exited with satisfactory service from a prior term.
• The candidate will also need to meet all AmeriCorps eligibility requirements including but not limited to:
  • Be at least 17 years of age (there is no upper age limit).
  • Possess unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by AmeriCorps during the pre-enrollment period.
  • Meet the National Service Criminal History Check Requirement noted below:
    • A criminal record does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. LISC does not disclose any results with the placement site and will discuss any eligibility concerns that may arise directly with the candidate as per LISC’s policy.
    • Candidates being offered and accepting this AmeriCorps position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, State Level Criminal History Search, and an FBI search. The person must be cleared for service by LISC prior to the first day of service.
    • A candidate may not be considered eligible for service in instances where he/she/they: (1) are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW); and/or (2) has been convicted of murder; and/or (3) has a non-resolved/non-adjudicated criminal offense. The candidate selected for this position will be invited to complete an account set up and online Enrollment Form via the My AmeriCorps Portal located here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do as well as intake forms via a secure system.

Program Benefits:

• The position pays a total stipend of $14,400; the stipend is taxable and paid in 22 equal checks twice a month from LISC. Direct deposit is required.
•  Upon successful completion of the full term of service, the Member will be eligible for a $3,697.50 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or utilize the funds to return to school at institutions that accept the education award.
• Members are eligible to place qualifying, existing student loans (not in default) into AmeriCorps forbearance or apply for income-based repayment. Certified time in AmeriCorps service may be counted toward public service loan forgiveness. Information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.gov/ .
• Additional benefits for alums can be found here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/special initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to talk and hear. Required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools and controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Preferred if able to operate personal vehicle.
• Employees frequently lift and or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Inspiritus Supports a Diverse and Inclusive Culture:

Inspiritus is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran's status. Inspiritus does not discriminate in employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Inspiritus complies with Executive Order 11246, as amended, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Inspiritus Department of Human Resources, 731 Peachtree St NE, Suite B Atlanta, GA 30308.

Salary : $3,698 - $14,400