About Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT)
The mission of IYT is to increase the number of young men of color to attend and graduate from community colleges and universities. We envision a nation in which young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and are leaders in their communities.
IYT is a national organization operating across multiple states and regions, partnering with schools and communities to build Brotherhood, college-going culture, and structured pathways from 6th grade through college completion. We believe that a college degree is a pathway to opportunity — and that every brother deserves a team of committed adults in their corner.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a federal agency that engages individuals in paid community service with nonprofits, schools, and public agencies to meet pressing local needs. In return for their term of service, members receive a living allowance and may earn an education award upon completion.
Position Overview
As a Recruitment Fellow, you will support Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) in the development of tools and strategies to support the recruitment and retention of AmeriCorps members, known as College Access Mentors, for the College Academy program. In an effort to strengthen the recruitment and retention of IYT’s AmeriCorps program, the Recruitment Fellow will be dedicated to expanding and building the College Academy program’s capacity by supporting partnerships with schools, institutions of higher education, and community-based organizations to effectively recruit and retain members.
The Recruitment Fellow will work closely with the AmeriCorps Team to expand community outreach, build social media presence through active posting and coordination with partner agencies, and promote the transformational impact of the program on the students and families served. Increased community awareness will support greater interest in national service opportunities, improved member retention, and the development of new partnerships with institutions of higher education and local businesses and foundations.
Identifying and implementing effective recruitment strategies to increase the capacity of IYT is a significant component of the Recruitment Fellow role. This includes the creation and execution of retention strategies, planning and hosting recruitment events, and developing practices that strengthen, maintain, and recognize partnerships that support the College Academy program.
Title: Recruitment Fellow
Term: August 2026 through June 11, 2027
Slot Type and Hours per week: 900-hour Half -Time at 20-30 hours per week
Benefits
The Recruitment Fellow will serve as an AmeriCorps member within the Mentor Fellowship Program at IYT. This is a service position and not a traditional employment role. As an AmeriCorps member, the individual will commit to complete a term of service, receive a bi-weekly stipend, medical benefits, loan deferment (if eligible), professional development, career advising, access to Alumni Network and much more! Upon the successful completion of the service term, College Access Mentors receive a monetary educational award. Please see more details for your region below.
- Earn an Education Award upon completion of program requirements
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Earn up to $3,697.50 Segal Education Award from the AmeriCorps National Service Trust
- This educational award can be applied towards qualified student loans and college expenses.
- Term of service will count towards Public Student Loan Forgiveness
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Eligible for Student Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual Payment (for all loans that qualify)
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Eligible for Health and Child Care Benefits
- Access to IYT Alumni Network
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Participate in Wellness workshops designed to support mental health, wellness, and personal empowerment
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Professional development and training through IYT and AmeriCorps
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Pathway to future full-time employment within IYT
Living Stipend Amounts
Sacramento/Central Valley
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$756.43 (Pre-tax) Bi-weekly stipend for 20-30 hours per week
Bay Area
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$1,008.40 (Pre-tax) Bi-weekly stipend for 20-30 hours per week
Stipend and education award amounts are estimates (before taxes), contingent on service hours completed, and disbursed in bi-weekly installments. Amounts vary by region based on cost of living and funding. All amounts are finalized through the individual Member Service Agreement.
Responsibilities:
The Recruitment Fellow will provide capacity building support to the College Access program, as defined by the achievement of the following outcomes:
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An increase in capacity built
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An increase in AmeriCorps member applications received
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An increase in number of AmeriCorps member slots filled
The Recruitment Fellow activities will include:
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Be well-versed on the purpose of the program and its recruitment timelines.
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Gather and maintain updated information on the application process and timelines for the program.
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In partnership with program staff, conduct assessments and develop a region-specific action plan to diagnose and treat the recruitment capacity building needs of the program.
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Support program staff in identifying, developing and fostering partnerships to increase outreach to potential AmeriCorps Members.
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Assist with onboarding coordination and documentation
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Participate in any California Volunteers recruitment initiatives on behalf of the AmeriCorps department.
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Expand community outreach through presentations at colleges and career fairs.
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Ensure the program’s website is up to date for recruitment purposes.
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Ensure the program’s service opportunities are posted on Volunteer Match/CV’s California’s For All platform
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Ensure the program’s information on CV’s website is up to date and of a high quality
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Develop other marketing materials for recruitment purposes.
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Track and maintain data regarding progress towards achieving project outcomes.
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Implement strategies to keep AmeriCorps Alumni engaged in promoting national service.
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Conduct weekly check-in meetings with program staff to set goals and touch base on progress toward target outcomes.
Provide follow up information or support to potential candidates or applicants in the pipeline
Service location(s)
Service will be based out of Improve Your Tomorrow offices. This position will require local and regional travel.
Qualifications
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Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or legal permanent resident
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Must be 17 years or older (no upper age limit) with parental or legal guardian consent if under 18
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High school diploma or GED; enrollment in or completion of a college degree program preferred
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Agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award.
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Passion and commitment to IYT’s mission, vision, and values
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Possess good organizational skills and complete paperwork promptly
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Have a valid driver license (preferred) and reliable transportation to travel to outreach and recruitment events
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Must be available weekends and evenings for events (minimum twice a month)
- Patience and strong interpersonal skills are required for working with students and parents
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Ability to manage multiple tasks and project simultaneously
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Willingness to travel regionally within California as needed
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Ability to meet AmeriCorps eligibility and service requirements
Schedule Requirements:
- Weekly commitment of 25-30 hours minimum per week
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Must be available to serve Monday through Fridays at a minimum of 20 to 30 hours between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, based on site needs
- Participate in mandatory monthly Friday professional development trainings
Available for weekend and evening activities as required, including one to two Saturdays per month that are required for college tours, teambuilders, IYT signature events
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Note: This is not an hourly job, but a 10-month AmeriCorps program.
Additional Requirements:
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Enrollment in the program is contingent on the results of a National Service Criminal History Check. Members must submit to a criminal background check that includes: FBI fingerprinting, National Sex Offender Registry, and state criminal background check. Clearance from background checks is required for service, with all expenses covered by IYT
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All incoming mentors must attend Mentor Fellow Orientation
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Mileage and hotel accommodations are provided by request.
Performance Reviews
Performance reviews are intended to be a mutual exchange of information that informs the program’s service delivery and helps the member successfully complete the term of service.
Member's performance of primary service responsibilities, in addition to bi-weekly timesheets, data tracking on progress toward project outcomes, weekly check-in reports with program staff, and recruitment pipe-line documentation will be reviewed. Reviews will also evaluate member’s skill factors including knowledge of service, quality of service, initiative, teamwork/cooperation, problem solving, planning and organizing, written and verbal communication, attention to safety, attendance/punctuality, leadership skills, and consistency and reliability.
At minimum, Members will receive a performance review at the end of their service term. The end-of-term evaluation will address, at a minimum, the following factors:
1. Whether the member has completed the required number of hours;
2. Whether the member has satisfactorily completed assignments; and;
3. Whether the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Key Collaborations and Service Conditions
The Recruitment Fellow will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to support the recruitment and retention of AmeriCorps members and ensure the success of the Mentor Fellowship program. Internally, the Recruitment Fellow will collaborate with the AmeriCorps Team, Program Managers, and other staff to coordinate and implement effective recruitment and retention strategies. Externally, the Recruitment Fellow will establish and maintain strong relationships with schools, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, and partner agencies. These collaborations are essential to expanding program capacity, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring a consistent pipeline of qualified AmeriCorps members.
Service will be based out of Improve Your Tomorrow National Headquarters, with regular travel to school sites and partner locations within the Sacramento, Central Valley, and Bay Area regions. Responsibilities will involve regular travel between locations for recruitment events, outreach activities, and meetings, encompassing both indoor and outdoor environments and requiring flexibility and adaptability to different service conditions.
Equipment used
The position will require the use of computers, phones, office supplies, and educational materials. If the member requires assistance with computer needs, IYT can provide support upon request to ensure all necessary equipment is available for effective service delivery.
Equal Opportunity Employer IYT provides equal employment and service opportunities to all employees and AmeriCorps members and applicants for employment and AmeriCorps and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment and AmeriCorps service, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact [email protected] to request assistance. We will work with you to provide reasonable accommodations.
