Associate's Degree or College

Opportunities to serve with JVC Northwest exist in the five beautiful states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska in remote, rural, and urban settings.

Jesuit Volunteers also have the opportunity to serve in other US regions through our sibling organization, Jesuit Volunteer Corps .

University of Alaska, Fairbanks - Kuskokwim Campus

Program Name

Position Title

Agency Website

uaf.edu/bethellibrary

Ameri Corps Status

Ameri Corps

Service Impact Area

Capacity Building

Primary Role

Activities or Day Space Coordination (Ameri Corps)

Length of Service Term

12 months

Primary Service Area

Education (Community)

Populations Served

Children and Families, Indigenous Communities, Individual with physical or intellectual disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, Seniors/Elders, Survivors of DVSA, Teens/At-Risk/Opportunity Youth, Individuals experiencing housing instability and/or houselessness, Individuals with mental illness

Other Issues and Roles

Homelessness/Housing Services, Social Services, Teen/At-Risk/Opportunity Youth Services

Brief Position

Description:

The Adult Services Coordinator at the national award-winning Kuskokwim Consortium Library is an innovative position that provides library services to the diverse demographics within the community. This includes overseeing outreach and services to marginalized adult populations, including members of the community experiencing homelessness, low computer literacy skills, and unemployment. The Jesuit Volunteer/Ameri Corps member with the library serves closely with the Library Director and members of the Bethel Housing Coalition to improve services for adults in the community by connecting people to programs, information, and resources that will improve and enrich their lives.

A portion of the position is dedicated to outreach services with a separate service agency to help build capacity based on needs identified by the Housing Coalition. In addition, the position supports, plans, and implements fun and healthy programs for adults in the community. The library has a small team of three full-time employees and a Jesuit Volunteer, and all team members collaborate utilizing the specialized skills and interests of each person to provide diverse programming for all demographics in the community.

Day in Life of JV

Depending on the day, the library opens at 11 or 12, and library staff come in between 8:30-10 depending on their shift for the day. This gives library staff and the JV time to check email, tidy the library, and organize our priorities and tasks for the day. Once the library opens, all library staff are available as needed to help members of the community with their library needs.

We rotate staff and the JV through shifts on the desk. The JV will serve approximately 3-4 hours on the desk per day and depending on the schedule for the day help people access computers, find books and other materials, and answering questions. When it is quiet in the library the JV can manage other duties while on the desk.

The library JV is generally on call for helping people on the computers with tasks ranging from applying for jobs to online shopping. The days will vary depending on the projects and programs we have going on from month to month and also depending on the needs of that day from community members, but in addition to serving on the desk the JV will spend a lot of time planning and implementing programs in collaboration with the library director including books clubs, outdoor programs like kayaking and ethno-botany hikes, movie nights, game nights, community programs such as a winter carnival, and 3-4 Project Homeless Connect events throughout the year.

The JV will spend a lot of time communicating and meeting with other organizations to partner on programs and events. Collaboration and communication are important components of the library JV position.

Education Requirements

Associate's Degree or Some College

Driver's License Requirement

Yes

Vehicle Requirement

A vehicle owned by your organization or program

Nature of Driving

We have a Ford truck that is used for outreach activities, so the JV will drive approximately 1-2 times per week. Bethel is a small town, and most of the town can be accessed in a ten minute drive.

Spanish Language Requirement

No requirement other than English

Preferred Spanish Language Level

No requirement other than English

Additional Languages and Level Preferred

Required experience, qualities, or specialized training

Strong technology and troubleshooting skills are required, and the ability to use those skills to help patrons fill out forms and applications online. Patience is necessary, as sometimes people need extensive help accomplishing tasks online. Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to adapt based on the shifting needs of our patrons. A positive attitude is required.

Preferred experience, qualities or specialized training