Girl Scout Leadership Experience Facilitator via ServeRI|AmeriCorps

The Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) AmeriCorps team is seeking to hire two AmeriCorps members who will work to deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) to girls and gender-expansive youth in grades K-12. AmeriCorps members will design and provide a variety of engaging, experiential activities focused on STEM, Life Skills, the Outdoors, and Entrepreneurship that help youth discover who they are, connect and collaborate with others, and take action to make the world a better place. 

Members will build safe and inclusive environments where Girl Scout youth learn to strengthen positive values, build and nurture healthy relationships, seek out and face challenges that make them more resistant, and resolve conflict. The goal is to grow more leaders of courage, confidence, and character and, as a result, make the world a better place. What makes the GSLE program unique is it is girl-led, providing leadership opportunities and encouragement to youth from the very beginning.

As one of 112 Girl Scout councils across the US, GSSNE oversees nearly 6,200 members in Rhode Island, 13 communities in Southeastern, MA, and Pawcatuck, CT.  Of that number, 3,700 are youth benefitting from the program, and 2,500 are adults, many of whom provide volunteer support to their local troops.

As an active member of Girl Scouts of the USA, GSSNE shares the mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. This is done through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience which provides a framework for supporting girls as they learn to lead.

As an AmeriCorps member supporting Girl Scout Leadership Experience Facilitators, you will have the following responsibilities:

Work in the GSSNE office:

• Work as part of a staff team to grow membership and enhance programs to impact positive outcomes and increased retention
• Maintain accurate records of program activities, attendance, and outcomes to measure success and identify areas for improvement
• Maintain timely and professional communications with all stakeholders and customers to encourage collaboration and support
• Meet regularly with internal team and Directors, and bi-weekly whole staff meetings

Work in the community to:

• Recruit new youth members and adult volunteers from diverse backgrounds and communities
• Create community partnerships allowing Girl Scouts to reach new and underserved populations

Engage with youth and school professionals during and/or outside of school hours:

• Facilitate new troop formation
• Partner with school professionals to identify pathways to deliver the GSLE
• Develop and deliver high-quality, hands-on, cooperative youth-led Troop programming that aligns with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
• Create welcoming, safe, supportive, and inclusive Troop environments where youth can share, learn, grow, and learn to advocate and express themselves

Participate in professional development to:

• Develop and strengthen program development, facilitation, and curriculum building skills
• Gain skills and understanding of youth development at various stages
• Develop community engagement, leadership, and outdoor skills
• Participate in whole staff retreats twice a year that focus on a variety of professional skills including team building, communication and conflict resolution, DEIRJ, etc.

As an AmeriCorps member supporting Girl Scout membership events and related activities, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Organize and Support Membership Events: Help plan, coordinate, and execute membership events in schools and communities. This includes setting up booths, distributing information, and engaging with potential members and their families.
• Run Start-Up Troops: Assist in the formation and early development of new Girl Scout troops, provide guidance to new leaders, organize initial meetings, and help establish troop activities.
• Engage with Caregivers and PTOs: Develop and maintain relationships with local organizations, schools, and businesses to support and enhance Girl Scout programs. Provide information, answer questions, and promote the benefits of Girl Scouts to encourage enrollment.
• Build Relationships with Schools: Establish and maintain strong partnerships with school personnel is crucial. Our AmeriCorps members work closely with schools to secure space for meetings, schedule events, and to identify new pathways through which Girl Scout programs can be integrated into the school environment.
• Support Community Outreach and Recruitment: Actively support Girl Scout initiatives in underserved communities to increase Girl Scout membership, ensuring diversity and inclusivity in troop formations. This may include evening and/or weekend hours.
• Implement Programs: Assist in implementing Girl Scout programs, ensuring they align with the organization’s goals and meet the needs of the community.
• Monitor and Report: Track the progress of Member activities, collect data, and report outcomes to ensure goals are being met and to help improve programs.
• Develop and Deliver Nature Programs: Develop and implement nature-based programs for Girl Scouts and schools, focusing on environmental education, outdoor skills, leadership skills and personal development.
• Support the Girl Scout Cookie Program: Support Youth Entrepreneurship Activities: Assist youth in goal setting, decision making, people skills, and business ethics as they earn badges in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
• Effectively and Continuously Communicate: Maintain positive, productive relationships with all stakeholders including Girl Scout staff, school group leaders and staff, community partners, caregivers, and youth by engaging in regular, continuous, and timely communication.

Other responsibilities of the role: 

• Connect weekly with partners/schools through emails, in person, and in meetings to ensure that the goals of the programs are being met.
• Work with the Director of Program and Director of Membership and their teams weekly to develop plans to carry out specific action plans designed to meet council objectives, including membership growth, community engagement, and program quality.
• Develop and implement nature-based programs for Girl Scouts and School, Focusing on environmental education, outdoor skills, leadership skills and personal development. 
• Continuous evaluation of program content to ensure that it is relevant and engaging.
• Complete bi-weekly timecards accurately and truthfully including the number of hours served each day.
• Attend all professional development and training opportunities offered by GSSNE, GSUSA, and other designated partners.
• Complete weekly and monthly data reports in Google Sheets on program activities for AmeriCorps
• Assist with check in and dismissal at programs.
• Assist with the facilitation of the cookie program at partner sites by delivering badge earning curriculum developed to tie in with the Girl Scout Cookie Program and assisting with the distribution of product at community partner sites. 

Participate in professional development to:

• Develop and strengthen program development, facilitation, and curriculum building skills
• Gain skills and understanding of youth development at various stages
• Develop community engagement, leadership, and outdoor skills
• Participate in whole staff retreats twice a year that focus on a variety of professional skills including team building, communication and conflict resolution, DEIRJ, etc.

AmeriCorps Eligibility Qualifications:

1. Be at least 18 years of age at the start of service.
2. Have a high school dipolma or its equivalent.
3. Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
4. Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria (45 CFR 2540.202).

Position Qualifications:

• Commitment to community service and empowering youth, particularly in underserved communities.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills to effectively engage volunteers and build collaborative relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating leadership and initiative in program implementation.
• Experience and/or interest in education, youth development, mentoring programs, or community outreach.
• U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and authorized to work in the U.S.
• Able to pass a criminal background check.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, required. 
• Ability to engage and relate to community members who have lived experience with issues in their community, such as substance use, poverty, trauma, and other social determinants of health. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, community members, and partner agencies. 
• Bilingual, written and spoken language, strongly preferred. 

Environmental Conditions and Physical Qualifications:

• Must be able to work in a variety of outdoor settings and weather conditions.
• Moderate physical activity such as standing, walking, lifting.
• The ability to lift 25 pounds.
• Participate in and lead outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, swimming, and team-building exercises a plus.
• Capacity to perform activities that require bending, kneeling, stooping, and climbing.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations, including administering first aid and CPR.
• Clear and strong vocal ability to give instructions, lead groups, and communicate effectively.

Service and Time Requirements:

• This role can be full-time or part-time AmeriCorps position requiring occasional evening and weekend hours to accommodate program activities and community events.
• The position generally runs on a Monday – Friday schedule from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, with occasional evening and weekend hours to accommodate program activities and community events. 
• Members are required to work on Martin Luther King Day as a day of service. 
• Members are not eligible for paid vacation days 
• Members are not eligible for paid time off. Time off may be taken without pay. 

Start Date: 9/1/2024
End Date: 8/31/2025
Service Hours Options: 

• 1,700 hours of service with a $7,395.00 education stipend 
• 1200 hours of service with a $5,1,67.50 education stipend
• 900 hours of service with a $3,677.00 education stipend

Benefits:

• Making a difference to the community.
• Gain valuable experience in youth development, education, and nonprofit management.
• Receive training in program facilitation, leadership skills, and community engagement.
• Earn an annual living allowance (up to $26,000) for 1700 hours of service and qualify for an education award ($7,395) upon successful completion of the AmeriCorps service term.
• Join a network of AmeriCorps members dedicated to making a difference in their communities.
• Eligible for Medical, Dental, and vision insurance (member paid)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Partial Cell phone reimbursement
• After you finish your year of service, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Any benefits and terms and conditions of this program are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service.