AmeriCorps Coordinator

The AmeriCorps Coordinator is responsible for managing the MLSA Justice for Montanans (JFM) project (an AmeriCorps State and National project). Duties include member recruitment, member training and ongoing management of AmeriCorps members, collaborating with JFM partner host sites and creating new partnerships, assisting with management of MLSA’s AmeriCorps grant, including grant writing and reporting, and assisting with coordination of community outreach for MLSA. The AmeriCorps Coordinator collaborates with MLSA administration and reports to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage JFM members statewide, using methods consistent with state and federal law, agency regulations and AmeriCorps policies.


• Recruit, hire, and onboard JFM members each year to fill MLSA’s grant funded AmeriCorps slots around Montana.


• Provide support to JFM members and coordinate regular training for JFM members, supervisors, and host sites.


• Stay current on AmeriCorps rules and regulations and develop and update operational policies for MLSA’s JFM project.


• Serve as a liaison between MLSA and the Governor’s Office of Community Service and attend Program Director meetings, Commission meetings, and grant reviews.


• Represent MLSA in multiple forums, at the local, state, and federal community service levels as well as at the department and interagency levels, as needed.


• Assess need and provide technical assistance to host sites on the interpretation of federal regulations as they relate to grant and personnel issues.


• Monitor the overall budget for MLSA’s JFM project, in cooperation with MLSA’s Finance staff.


• Coordinate and conduct performance evaluations for JFM members and host sites.


• Oversee conflict resolution and mediation between JFM members and their sites and/or site supervisors on a continuum of consequences including coaching, corrective action, progressive discipline and dismissal.


• Develop new and renewal sites for the JFM project as appropriate.


• Connect the work of JFM members and the development of host sites to the overall anti-poverty advocacy mission of MLSA.


• Coordinate MLSA community outreach initiatives using JFM members.


• Make individual site visits to each worksite as needed during the service year, either virtually or in person as conditions warrant.


• Report project progress through regular reports, federal renewal applications, mid-year, and end-of-year project reports to the Governor’s Office of Community Service in cooperation with MLSA’s Development staff.


• Other duties as assigned by Immediate supervisor or MLSA management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; equivalent professional experience will be considered.


• Experience supervising or managing staff or volunteers.


• Strong program coordination, project management, and organizational skills.


• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners including courts, tribal communities, advocacy organizations, and legal professionals.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.


• Comfort with data tracking, reporting, and documentation.


• Ability to travel, occasionally overnight.

Preferred

• Experience with grant-funded program reporting and management.


• Understanding of professional conduct rules or legal ethics (training provided).

Competencies

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice.

• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially with multiple timelines within a decentralized statewide law firm.

• Ability to use technologies to communicate with colleagues and volunteers.


• High attention to detail and consistent follow-through.


• Skilled interpersonal communicator able to work in multidisciplinary teams.


• Respect for confidentiality and strong ethical judgment.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment.


• Primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment, requiring regular computer use and the ability to alternate between sitting and standing at a workstation for most of the workday.


• Occasional travel to represent MLSA at national conferences.


• Occasional evening or weekend training sessions.


• Must possess a valid driver’s license.