PPD Seeking AmeriCorps Member

 

AmeriCorps Member
Service Opportunity
Full-Time Position
1700 hours in 10 Months

 

 

 

The Providence Police Department’s Community Relations Bureau and Local Initiatives Support Corporation are seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a Community Relations Support Specialist.  The candidate will ideally begin service on November 16, 2018, and serve a minimum of 1700 hours through the end of his/her term on July 31, 2019. The exact start and end date are confirmed by the Member Agreement of Participation.  The individual selected to serve is not considered to be an employee of The City of Providence/The Providence Police Department or LISC.

 ORGANZIATION BACKGROUNDS

The Providence Police Department (PPD) is the largest and most diverse police force in Rhode Island with over 425 sworn police officers who work closely with the city’s neighborhoods to reduce crime, fear, and disorder.  Through its partnerships with community groups, businesses, clergy, social service, law enforcement and public safety agencies, the Department is a reflection of the community and the citizens it serves. The Department is a highly-specialized organization prepared to respond to any situation that it may face, even as it remains true to its roots of reducing crime and building strong and effective community partnerships.

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.  Over the last 38 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $20 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities.  These investments have leveraged more than $50 billion in development activity and helped families and communities raise their standards of living. LISC investments impact the lives of nearly 7 million Americans.  Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 31 markets with offices extending from Buffalo to San Francisco. Our rural programs make an impact in 44 states and are supported by LISC’s talented and dedicated workforce. Visit us at www.lisc.org

AMERICORPS MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In 2017, in efforts to expand and enhance community policing efforts, The Providence Police Department created the Community Relations Bureau (CRB). The mission of the CRB is to develop, recommend, and strengthen policies and programs that enhance police and community relationships. The Community Relations Support Specialist will assist in advancing the goals of the CRB, specifically with the creation of a comprehensive Community Policing Action Plan for the Department.

  • Supports all of the Police Departments community policing and partnership initiatives
  • Assist in the development, dissemination, collection, and data analysis of resident surveys that measure the perception of public safety
  • Assist in the creation of a Community Policing Action Plan
  • Assist in identifying and engaging new community partners to support community policing initiatives
  • Attends community-based meetings, including but not limited to neighborhood meetings, advocacy group meetings, and citizens advisory group meetings
  • Attend community events as needed
  • Assist in working with community groups, stakeholders and department officials to create, design and implement programs that are community-based, problem-oriented, and data-driven
  • Assist with researching latest trends on addressing crimes utilizing community policing/problem-oriented policing solutions
  • Assist in community outreach efforts that highlight and promote the Department, including the creation and dissemination of an internal and external newsletter

 

PERFORMANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

This is an AmeriCorps position.  LISC and the Providence Police Department will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member.

Members will be provided with the goal(s) at the onset of the service assignment based on the activities and responsibilities noted above.  Members will track goal attainment monthly through an on-line system (training provided). Members will also discuss professional performance in the form of a mid-term and final appraisal. Members are required to track time and submit on-line (training provided) timesheets twice per month.

Members will perform day to day service at the Providence Police Department and serve a minimum of 40-42 hours per week.  Normal service hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm with 30 minutes for lunch per day. There will be opportunities to serve the evenings and weekends

Members will have an immediate supervisor and a local LISC supervisor throughout the term of service as identified by LISC and the Providence Police Department.

Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:

  • Attending a local onboarding session coordinated by LISC and an onsite orientation to our organization;
  • Attending a national leadership conference tentatively scheduled for March 2019;
  • Attending all locally sponsored monthly meetings;
  • Participating in nationally sponsored webinars;
  • Actively participating in at least two team coordinated service projects (one for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and one for National AmeriCorps Week);
  • Engaging in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC office; and
  • Advancing communication efforts around his/her member activities by liaising with the Providence Police Department and LISC Staff to develop blog posts, social medial outreach, etc.

 

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
  • Organized and detail oriented
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment
  • Computer and analytical skills
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Experience managing volunteers
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
  • Interest in public safety and/or some education on the Criminal Justice field
  • Basic understanding of the Community Policing model
  • Knowledge of Providence neighborhoods

 

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate must meet all eligibility requirements to serve as a National Service participant including but not limited to:

  • Be eligible to earn 100% of the education award associated with this description
  • Be eligible to perform the term of national service associated with this description
  • Have unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by CNCS during the pre-enrollment period
  • Possess a high school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED during the term of service
  • Be at least 17 years of age (note there is no upper age limit)
  • Be able to complete at the hours within the timeframe of the service term and serve the full term

 

NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY SEARCH REQUIREMENT

If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make a candidate ineligible for service. Only candidates who are subject to the registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website or have been convicted of murder may not participate as an AmeriCorps member.  Only candidates being offered and then accepting the position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, a State Level Criminal History Search and an FBI search. Consent is provided via the LISC AmeriCorps application. Candidates must be cleared by CNCS prior to the first day of service.

 

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member will be eligible for a $5,920 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place existing student loans (loans must qualify and not in a state of default) into AmeriCorps forbearance.  The position pays a total stipend of $17,000.  The stipend is taxable and paid in 20 equal checks twice a month from LISC.  Direct deposit is required.  A health care benefit is available for the participant only (dependents are not eligible).  For members with children under the age of 13, there is a child care subsidy benefit available which is dependent on the participant meeting all eligibility requirements (This benefit is administered by a contracted provider via the Corporation for National and Community Service).

 

Additional benefits for alums can be found here:  https://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Tina Shepard at tshepard@providenceri.gov.   Please insert Community Relations Support Specialist in the subject line.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.

 

 

This program is available to all, and we treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.