AmeriCorps Research Support Member - SPICE Program, UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies

UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies in partnership with AmeriCorps Missouri

Seniors Positive Impact in Community Emergencies (SPICE) - UMKC Disaster Preparedness AmeriCorps

Doctors Amanda Grimes, Joseph Lightner, Julia Crowley, Kathleen Spears and Sharon White-Lewis are conducting a project to improve disaster preparedness for community dwelling older adults in Missouri. Supported by eight Kansas City organizations and with the support and funding of AmeriCorps, we are seeking individuals interested in impacting their communities' emergency preparedness. It is very important to focus on the older adult population who may have access and functional needs which are increased during disasters. Also, and equally important, the older adults are a source of resilience for our communities due to past lived experiences and utilization of these unique individuals during a disaster will strengthen our response during a difficult disaster.

This position seeks individuals to serve as an AmeriCorps member for SPICE in one of four phases: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.

As an AmeriCorps Member, you will:

• Provide an average of 16 hours per week of service
• Coordinate with community partners
• Assist in physical activity programming, disaster evaluation home visits, public health emergency management plans for older adults, recovery plans for post-disaster to allow these individuals to return to their communities
• Collect and manage data for research measurement purposes
• Create and manage seminars on disaster preparedness
• Respond to urgent situations in a safe and appropriate manner
• Assist with data analysis and manuscript development
• Create new ways to assist the older adult population

• Must be 18 years or older
• By law, to serve in AmeriCorps, an individual must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent alien of the United States
• Members are permitted to have a part-time job to compensate their living wages
• Members are permitted to be enrolled in classes while serving

Open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately.

Members are expected to begin their term of service on September 1, 2024 and complete their term of service on July 31, 2025. Members will average 16 to 18 hours per week for a total of 900 hours over the duration of their service. Schedule will determined by members and their community partners.

Members will receive a living stipend of $968.18 per month.

Members who successfully complete their serve may be eligible for the Segals AmeriCorps Education Award Stipend of $3,697.59. This stipend can cover a range of education expenses and is transferrable to children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, or foster children if you are over 55 years of age at the time of service.

Other benefits of the position include:

• Virtual Professional Training on:
  • CPR Certification
  • First aid training/certification
  • Sexual harassment, non-discrimination, and anti-bullying training
  • Citizenship training:
    • Fostering positive attitudes towards lifelong citizenship and service
    • Enhancing the ability of members to discuss and explore their community and people, processes, and institutions with the goal of improving conditions
    • Planning and implementing effective service projects
    • Developing social, cultural, and analytical skills necessary to effectively participate in American democracy
    • Become a member of a world renowned national, state, and local network of AmeriCorps
    • Giving back to your community and working with community leaders
    • Networking with public health, emergency management, and medical professionals
    • Members will be distinguished from colleges due to service and connections with their communities

For more information or questions related to this assignment, please contact Dr. Sharon White-Lewis, Assistant Professor and AmeriCorps SPICE Project Director, at 816-235-2617 or whitelewiss@umkc.edu

This position is not eligible for University benefits. Individuals in non benefit eligible positions may choose to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (403b). For information about this plan, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.