Outreach Program Specialist (Public Health AmeriCorps, July - September 2026)

AMERICORPS VOLUNTEER DETAILS

Term of Service: 7/6/2026 to 09/30/2026 (12.5 weeks)

Slot Type and Minimum Service Hours: Quarter Time; 450 hours (40 hours per week)

Living Allowance: $5,820, disbursed in equal bi-weekly increments across service term

Educational Award: $1,956.35, awarded upon successful completion of hours at the end of service term.

POSITION DETAILS

Host Site: South Side Community Coalition (SSCC)

Position Title: Outreach Program Specialist

Reports To: Yolanda Williams, SSCC, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Tresa Bonds, Project Specialist, Ingham County Health Department.

ABOUT THE HOST SITE

The South Side Community Coalition provides educational programs, job training, health programs and recreational opportunities for youth, families, and seniors. We promote self-esteem and academic success, and foster the development of positive life skills through one-on-one mentoring, vocational advancement, education and recreation. At the center, Lansing residents can find information, enjoy fun, safe and interesting programs and have an opportunity to become involved in their neighborhoods.

AMERICORPS VOLUNTEER IMPACT

The Outreach Program Specialist will increase SSCC's capacity to reach youth by fostering an environment that promotes self-esteem and academic success, and foster the development of positive life skills through one-on-one mentoring, vocational advancement, education and recreation. The AmeriCorps Volunteer will also support organizational capacity to address access to health care options and provide education resources for support preventive health and management of chronic conditions.

POSITION DETAILS

The Outreach Program Specialist will perform a variety of duties including the following:

Program Development and Management

• Expand existing programs to increase organizational service capacity to reach more residents

Direct Community Support

• Increase organizational capacity to reach more residents in need of referrals to address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Outreach & Community Engagement

• Increase the organization’s visibility and community connections through outreach and building relationships with community partners like local organizations, government agencies, and businesses, while facilitating meetings and collaborative projects.

Resource Referral & Management of Chronic Diseases

• Support community members seeking assistance, specifically for their diabetes and hypertension needs, and refer them to management programs at the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD).
• Assist community members with paperwork which will allow them to obtain free diabetic testing supplies and other covered diabetic medications.
• Enroll senior citizens needing chronic diabetic medications in ICHD-hosted programs.
• Assist senior citizens and other residents with food stamp enrollments on state and county websites. Research online information about affordable heathy food and healthy lifestyle adjustments.

Food Access

• Support and facilitate exercise and nutrition classes for SSCC senior participants
• Assist with regular vegetable/food distribution to families in partnership with the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

---

Minimum Knowledge and Skills

• Two years of college

Desired Knowledge and Skills

• Some experience in social service programming and delivery

Service Conditions:

• In-person service is required: 2101 W Holmes, Lansing, MI 48911) and Neighborhood Wellness Center (517 W Jolly Rd, Lansing, MI 48910)
• Neighborhood Wellness Center will provide laptop and any other necessary equipment or software
• In-person service environment: Shared office space in a community center setting.

Service Schedule:

• Mondays and Wednesdays 8 am to 5 pm at the Wellness Center with some weekends for special events
• Thursdays 8 am to 5 pm at the SSCC for service events, Fridays 8 am to 5 pm for program planning.
• Members are required to participate and attend monthly ICHD Public Health AmeriCorps professional development, quarterly ICHD AmeriCorps professional development, participate in events including national service days, and regional and local service projects.
• Sick or personal days are allowed, but members lose possible days to earn the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.

AMERICORPS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Participate in monthly ICHD PHA AmeriCorps Training and Professional Development in topics like grant-writing and resume development
• Participate in National Days of Service (9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, Russ Mawby Regional Day of Service, Youth Volunteer Day)
• Attend AmeriCorps orientation at the Ingham County Health Department
• All AmeriCorps Volunteers will participate in an end of service performance evaluation
• All AmeriCorps Volunteers will be required to submit bi-weekly time sheets, quarterly data reports, and all other data tasks requested by the Host Site

Public Health AmeriCorps Volunteers should possess:

• a desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people;
• a willingness to learn and serve others;
• an ability to work independently and in a team environment successfully, and
• strong organizational, writing, and oral communication skills, and a high attention to detail

AmeriCorps Program Eligibility

• be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit)
• have earned a high school diploma or GED
• be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien
• Agree to and pass a national service criminal history check with eligibility verification in accordance with 45 CFR 2540.202.

AmeriCorps Commitment and Benefits

• Loan forbearance and interest repayment available for eligible loans
• End of Service Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• $25 per month allowance for mileage reimbursement during each month of service for service related travel
• Up to $150 available in professional development funds
• AmeriCorps Volunteer Assistance Program ( link to learn more )
• Hands-on experience in Public Health