AmeriCorps Volunteer Position Description: Attendance & Engagement Specialist

Position Details

• Service Term Length: 1,200 hours (Three Quarter Time)
• Anticipated Start Date: September 16, 2026
• Service Schedule: Approximately 7.5 hours/day, Monday through Friday; follows the holiday/break calendar of the hosting school district
• School Site Location: To be determined prior to start of service (within Northeast Washington region)

Position Summary

AmeriCorps Attendance & Engagement Specialists build relationships with students and families and support attendance through Tier 1 engagement, caseload-based student engagement, outreach, and resource connection.

Program Description

Students and families are resilient, resourceful, and full of potential — and sometimes all they need is someone in their corner to help them overcome the obstacles that get in the way of showing up and staying connected at school. As an Attendance & Engagement Specialist through the NEWESD 101 AmeriCorps program, you'll be that person. You'll build genuine relationships with families, connect students to resources that remove real-life barriers, and celebrate the wins — big and small — as young people find their way back to the classroom and back to their goals.

This isn't a behind-the-scenes role. You will be placed at a participating school site within the Northeast Washington region (final placement determined prior to start of service). Host sites may include elementary, middle, or high school settings.  You will be working alongside school counselors, social workers, teachers, etc, gaining real-world skills in student engagement, family outreach and community resource navigation. By the end of your service term, you'll leave with a professional network, hands-on experience that stands out on any resume, and the knowledge that your work made a lasting difference for students in Northeast Washington.

All positions are contingent upon receipt of AmeriCorps grant funding and final approval of program awards. Position details, including number of available placements and host site assignments, may be adjusted based on final funding and program approval.

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities

•     Identify and reach out to students and families who are chronically absent or at risk of disengagement from school to discuss attendance barriers and connect them with available resources.

•     Manage a designated caseload of chronically absent students, providing ongoing check-ins and engagement support.

•     Support the development and implementation of individualized student reengagement plans in collaboration with school staff.

•     Collaborate on schoolwide attendance culture-building efforts alongside counselors, administrators, and PBIS/MTSS teams (if applicable).

•     Facilitate or co-facilitate small student groups (e.g., friendship, attendance support, stress management) that promote connection, engagement, and attendance.

•     Support or co-lead attendance awareness campaigns (e.g., attendance challenges, incentive programs, recognition efforts, monthly themes).

•     Make appropriate referrals to community services such as housing, mental health, transportation, or food assistance, informed by knowledge of school-based and community resources (including relevant tribal programs and partners), to connect students and families with culturally responsive supports.

•     Maintain accurate records of student contacts, attendance data, and case notes in program tracking systems.

General AmeriCorps Volunteer Responsibilities

• Participate in required Spokane Service Team trainings, days of service days, and civic engagement projects.
• Complete required program documentation, including timesheets and monthly reports, accurately and on time.
• Share stories and photos from service activities for use in reports, communication materials, and on social media (with permission).

Volunteer Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries with students and families.
• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and a commitment to service.
• Engage in ongoing learning about the school, community, and regional context (including historical and current barriers that shape student experiences) to better understand student and family needs, approach interactions without judgment, and reflect on personal bias in service delivery.
• Communicate regularly with host site supervisor and AmeriCorps program staff, and seek guidance when needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation of service activities and hours.
• Participate fully in required training, meetings, and service projects.

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements

·         Must be at least 18 years old

·         U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident

·         High school diploma/GED or working toward equivalency

·         Ability to pass required background checks

·         Commitment to required service hours and term length

Benefits

·         Living allowance of $1,034.78 issued twice a month ($2,069.56 per month, before taxes)

·         Basic health insurance (Full-Time service terms only)

·         Professional development related to: attendance reengagement strategies, school-based engagement supports, trauma-informed approaches, Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), behavioral health, case management, and more

·         Mental health services: Mental health services through the Member Assistance Program (MAP), as well as other support services

·         Food assistance: Volunteers may qualify for monthly food assistance through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

·         Workers compensation coverage

·         Assistance with childcare costs (Full-Time service terms only, if eligible)

·         Segal Education Award of up to a $7,395 that can be used for future schooling or to pay off existing qualified student loan debt (upon successful completion of the service term, subject to applicable federal tax requirements

·         Forbearance (temporarily postponing paying off a loan) of qualified student loans during the service term

·         Payment of interest on qualified student loans that accrued during the service term (paid after successful completion of service term)

·         Serving in a full-time AmeriCorps position qualifies as "employment" towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

How to Apply

Complete the application form linked on our website: https://wkf.ms/3RNQUtU