CivicAction Staff Position Descriptions
Lead Facilitator (LF)
Training and Compensation
Commitment and Expectations
CivicAction programs are quite intensive, and all staff positions require a significant commitment. Once hired, staff are expected to spend sufficient time prior to the program reviewing staff handbooks and program materials and preparing activities. In addition, all staff participate in an evening training session in Chicago immediately prior to the program. CivicAction staff arrive on site several hours before the program begins, and depart the site several hours after the program concludes. During the program, each day is quite full, and the program moves at a fairly strenuous pace. Because CivicAction staff live on site with students, all staff positions have 24-hour responsibilities. Following each program, staff may have additional responsibilities for student evaluation, follow-up and documentation.
In order to be successful, all staff should be committed to the goals of the program; attuned to the academic, social and emotional needs of gifted learners; and understanding of the particular challenges of working with students in an intense environment. CivicAction staff should possess passion, energy, creativity, organizational skills, flexibility, teamwork and the ability to troubleshoot, problem solve and manage stress. Our most successful staff members not only appreciate the intensity of this kind of immersive experience, but also thrive within the community it creates.
Position Descriptions | Training & Compensation | Commitment & Expectations | Application & Hiring Process
Lead Facilitator (LF)
The Lead Facilitator is the primary staff person responsible for a group of 12-18 students on a service-learning immersion program. The Lead Facilitator executes the daily itineraries; serves as the main liaison to the host sites, parents and the Civic Education Project (CEP) and Center for Talent Development (CTD); plans and facilitates educational activities for students; supervises supporting staff members; and serves as the main program administrator for financial, health and disciplinary matters. The Lead Facilitator is ultimately responsible for the safety and quality of the group’s experience. The complete Lead Facilitator job description can be found here.
Lead Facilitators are typically teachers or other education or youth development professionals with relevant experience facilitating service-learning or experiential education programs for middle or high school age students.
Stipends for Lead Facilitators begin at $225 per two-day session and $375 per four-day session, plus room, board and transportation for the duration of the program.
The Assistant Facilitator works closely with the Lead Facilitator to help manage a group of 12-18 students on a service-learning immersion program. The Assistant Facilitator helps execute the daily itineraries; assists with planning and facilitating educational activities; coordinates residential and recreational activities; ensures students are aware of and adhere to program rules and policies; builds healthy, appropriate relationships with students; helps create a sense of community; and otherwise supports students’ academic, social and emotional well-being. The complete Assistant Facilitator job description can be found here.
Most Assistant Facilitators are college graduates working in the education and nonprofit fields, graduate students, or exceptional senior-level undergraduate students, with a background in service-learning or experiential education and experience working with young people in a residential setting.
Stipends for Assistant Facilitators begin at $150 per two-day session and $250 per four-day session, plus room, board and transportation for the duration of the program.
Residential Program Assistant (RPA)
Residential Program Assistants work closely with the Site Administrator to support the execution of a service-learning immersion program. Residential Program Assistants help manage the program schedule and logistics; supervise students during residential and recreational time; provide administrative support; assist with supervision of students on site visits and community experiences, as needed; ensure students are aware of and adhere to program rules and policies; build healthy, appropriate relationships with students; help create a sense of community; and otherwise support students’ academic, social and emotional well-being. The complete Residential Program Assistant job description can be found here.
Most Residential Program Assistants are junior- or senior-level undergraduate students with an interest in service-learning and experience working with young people in a residential setting.
Stipends for Residential Program Assistants begin at $75 per two-day session, plus room, board and transportation for the duration of the program.
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Training and Compensation
All CivicAction staff participate in a training session via conference the week before the program begins, and an on-site orientation Thursday, February 16 before the program begins. All staff must be able to take part in both the training session and on-site orientation.
In addition to the stipends listed above, CivicAction staff receive room, board and transportation throughout the program and training session. CEP may be able to provide travel reimbursement for staff traveling from outside the local geographic area if needed.
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Commitment and Expectations
CivicAction programs are quite intensive, and all staff positions require a significant commitment. Once hired, staff are expected to spend sufficient time prior to the program reviewing staff handbooks and program materials and preparing activities. In addition, all staff participate in an evening training session in Chicago immediately prior to the program. CivicAction staff arrive on site several hours before the program begins, and depart the site several hours after the program concludes. During the program, each day is quite full, and the program moves at a fairly strenuous pace. Because CivicAction staff live on site with students, all staff positions have 24-hour responsibilities. Following each program, staff may have additional responsibilities for student evaluation, follow-up and documentation.
In order to be successful, all staff should be committed to the goals of the program; attuned to the academic, social and emotional needs of gifted learners; and understanding of the particular challenges of working with students in an intense environment. CivicAction staff should possess passion, energy, creativity, organizational skills, flexibility, teamwork and the ability to troubleshoot, problem solve and manage stress. Our most successful staff members not only appreciate the intensity of this kind of immersive experience, but also thrive within the community it creates.
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Application and Hiring Process
- Before you complete the application, please be sure you have thoroughly reviewed all of the information on our web site about our programs and available staff positions. Once you are ready to apply, complete the online School Year Staff Application. In the application, you will be asked to supply contact information for three professional references, and upload a current résumé reflecting your education, employment, and volunteer experience, and apersonal statement of no more than 500 words, articulating why you are interested in these positions and what skills or experiences you bring to the program. Please note: It is not an option to save and return to the application to complete at a later time. You will be notified via e-mail once we have received your completed online application, résumé, and personal statement. Due to a high volume of applicants, we are unable to review incomplete applications.
- Spring staff consideration begins January 5, 2012 with returning staff members, then new applicants, and continues until all positions have been filled. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, so candidates are encouraged to apply early to ensure full consideration. We typically consider applicants in the following order: returning staff members, new lead facilitators, new assistant facilitators.
- Candidates receiving further consideration will be invited to participate in a phone interview beginning in early October. Candidates may also be asked to submit additional materials, including lesson or activity plans, official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, copies of teaching certifications and additional references.
- Most hiring decisions will be made in early February. Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as all positions are filled.
