Perkins AmeriCorps Service Position

Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO we are committed to delivering bestinclass education to children providing immersive training and support to professionals and families advocating for inclusion and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins we think courageously act collaboratively and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

Perkins AmeriCorps Member Position Description

The Perkins AmeriCorps Program engages adults of all backgrounds and identities to serve Perkins students. Supervised by experienced Perkins staff AmeriCorps members help students use assistive technology plan careers develop independent living skills and become more confident in social interactions. While making this important contribution Perkins AmeriCorps members gain professional skills and valuable knowledge. AmeriCorps members make a profound difference in their own lives and the lives of the students they serve.

The Perkins School for the Blind (Perkins) is a private nonprofit agency that oversees the Perkins AmeriCorps program and supports AmeriCorps members throughout their term of service. The ten Perkins AmeriCorps members serve for 46 weeks in a fulltime capacity 1700 hours at approximately 4245 hours per week) in studentfacing roles.

Perkins is a national and international leader in education for children and young adults who are visually impaired including those with multiple disabilities. Our best practices in teaching and our core belief that all children can learn is reaching more children and teachers in Massachusetts New England the US and around the world. It cant happen soon enough. Perkins AmeriCorps members will facilitate educational experiences for students with visual impairments and complex disabilities. This includes interventions that are part of the expanded core curriculum which are outlined in more detail below.

What Youll Do:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Support students in expanded core curriculum activities before during and after the school day across nine key areas: Assistive Technology Career Education Compensatory Skills Independent Living Skills Orientation and Mobility Recreation and Leisure SelfDetermination Sensory Efficiency and Social Interaction Skills. This will include lesson preparation and delivery with support from teaching staff. Educational activities may support students individually one to one in small groups as well as supporting larger group activities. Our students have complex medical and behavioral needs. Thus when implementing ECC activities you will support student behavioral needs through deescalation techniques utilizing techniques you will be taught during onboarding. Some of these involve physical interventions.

• Ability to independently utilize Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite to perform daily tasks associated with the role including communication with Perkins staff and data collection multiple times throughout the day after initial training.

• Ability to successfully navigate a 38acre campus independently after onboarding and orientation that is not fully accessible.

• Ability to independently adapt to daily changes in schedules due to changing classroom needs.

• Complete a minimum of 1700 hours of service over 46 weeks serving between September 8 2025 and July 24 2026.

• Participate in extensive training and professional development opportunities throughout your service term.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with other AmeriCorps members to support campuswide events such as annual Walk/Move event Early Connections Conference and Walk and activities such as a before or after school club or adaptive sports.

• Be a part of the greater AmeriCorps community including participating in crosssite learning groups writing a short profile for the AmeriCorps newsletter connecting with other members on our online platforms and attending broader Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) service events.

• Recruit and manage at least 2 community volunteers with support from Perkins staff to support your ECC activities over the year.

• Share about your service through the collection of stories of impact.

Who You Are:

A US citizen or permanent resident (green card holder)

18 years of age at minimum (member age range is 1870 years old)

Excited to give back to your community and interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experiences

Able to balance service commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way

Fully vaccinated for Measles Mumps Rubella.

Comfortable with or willingness to learn online collaboration tools e.g. shared calendars email shared folders/files (Google Drive Google Apps) and Microsoft Office (Word Excel Powerpoint).

Selfmotivated and detail oriented highly organized and reliable able to work independently and on a team.

Able to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines.

Willing to learn new content management systems like America Learns to support data collection and reporting.

Willing to complete Safety Care training which provides members with training that allows them to support student behavioral needs through deescalation techniques. Some of these involve physical interventions.

What Youll Get

Taxable Stipend of $1500 biweekly for up to 28 pay periods while in service (up to $34500 minus taxes and withholdings);

Health Insurance (individual coverage only available upon request);

Education award of up to approximately $7395.00 upon successful completion of service minus taxes and withholdings (actual award amount has not yet been published for 202526;

Use of a Perkins laptop;

Access to Perkins campus training including certification in CPR First Aid Safety Care Corticovisual impairment (CVI) as well as other relevant educational training to prepare you to engage with students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments (MDVI) in expanded core curriculum activities;

Extensive professional development training opportunities throughout the year;

Up to $500 of individual professional development funds for personal use (with prior approval from AmeriCorps Program Manager);

Planned time off with prior approval (up to 5 days which do not count towards service time).

Term of Service:

Position Start Date: Sept 8 2025.

Position End Date: July 24 2026.

Service commitment of approximately 4245 hours per week during the following days/times (depending on your specific service assignment): MondayFriday generally 8am5pm with a half hour for lunch. Limited possibility of weekend service options if student facing opportunities can be found.

Potential for two evening commitments per month and up to two weekend days per month all with advance notice and scheduling. Members will serve in person. All hours served count toward the 1700hour requirement.

How to Apply:

To apply submit a cover letter and resume to AmeriCorps Program Manager with Perkins AmeriCorps Program Position in the subject line. Early applications are encouraged as applications will be accepted and candidates will be chosen on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Questions about this position can be directed to Kayla Serra at The application process can take at least 56 weeks to complete due to background checks. Final application priority deadline July 18 2025.

Members offered contingent positions will be required to successfully undergo National Service Criminal History Check and MA EEC background record check before final eligibility vests.

This position is contingent on continued federal AmeriCorps funding including offer letters.

Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits could impact an individuals eligibility for certain public benefits. However options exist that allow you to serve while retaining benefits.

Perkins School for the Blind will use an AmeriCorps member selection process that ensures a selection process without regard to race ethnicity religion sex sexual orientation age military service color political affiliation creed national origin marital or parental status disability genetic information pregnancy or any other status as protected by federal state and local laws. Perkins School for the Blind welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for applications interviews and for service upon request.

If hired as a regular employee at Perkins we have benefits that put you first including an employer contributing retirement plan tuition reimbursement from day one professional development personal days paid time off and paid sick leave. Our campus is quaint charming and historical a perfect mix of legacy and modern buildings. It is located in the heart of Watertown adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.

Perkins is an equal opportunity employer. View the Perkins Notice of nondiscrimination.