The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism. Through hands-on experience, Commonwealth Corps members gain professional skills and valuable knowledge while positively impacting diverse communities in our state.

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. The two Commonwealth Corps members with METCO, Inc. will serve 10 months in a half-time capacity. They will join a diverse corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in service to their communities and the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1966, METCO is the largest school desegregation program in the country. It is the commonwealth’s only program designed to address the long-standing racial segregation in our public schools. METCO creates environments where students, parents, and teachers of different backgrounds can appreciate diversity, find common ground through shared experiences, build lifelong friendships between diverse students, and strive toward the mutual goal of preparing young people to become global citizens. METCO supports 3,300 students annually in 33 participating suburban school districts and 190 public schools and is excited to welcome Commonwealth Corps members as part of our team! The Commonwealth Corps Education Fellow will spearhead and facilitate METCO’s new Youth Leadership Council as well as our alumni outreach, recruitment, training, workshops, and other supports in alignment with identified student needs.

What You’ll Do:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Complete a minimum of 750 hours of service, serving through June 24, 2023
• Attend a minimum of 6 Commonwealth Corps training and service events held by MSA post orientation
• Participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of MSA-related activities each week. This may include filling out timesheets, completing a bi-monthly reflection or check-in, or other MSA-related tasks or activities
• Plan, recruit, facilitate, and evaluate our BEAT (Boston Education Action Teams) and PLAN (Preparing Leaders
  and Achievers) programs
• Assist students in identifying racial equity concerns in their schools and communities to develop youth-led
  plans of action and presentations

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Research, discover, and implement best practices in creating safe spaces for racial reconciliation among Black, brown and white students, in collaboration with the other Commonwealth Corps member
• Maintain current and accurate records of services provided, update the database, and prepare periodic reports
• Document alumni success stories via interview write-ups and video recordings for purposes of showcasing that METCO works
• Be a part of the greater Commonwealth Corps community, including participating in cross-site learning groups, writing a short profile for the CC newsletter, connecting with other members on our online platforms, and attending optional social/service events

Who You Are:

You must be:

• A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• 18 years of age at minimum (member age range is 18 – 70+ years old)
• Excited to give back to your community and interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experiences
• Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way
• Able to commit to half-time service in local communities with diverse residents
• Able to communicate effectively and conduct community outreach and make presentations to community groups
• A team player with a strong work ethic and time management skills and multi-tasking abilities

It would also be great if you:

• Participated in METCO or are familiar with our program
• Speak a language other than English -- multi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply
• Have experience working with diverse populations
• Could occasionally work after hours or on weekends when we hold events (advance notice will always be given)

What You’ll Get:

• A stipend of $550 semi-monthly while in service, up to $11,550 minus taxes and withholdings
• Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more
• Completion award of up to $2,000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes, and withholdings
• Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA)
• An opportunity to join a mission-driven organization with an amazing team of like-minded people working to initiate change
• Extensive training from MSA with a diversity, equity, and inclusion focus and other professional development opportunities
  Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities
• Internet reimbursement up to $50/month while required to complete some service from home
• Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies
• Mental Health/Personal Day once per month counting towards 4hrs
• The opportunity for at least 5 days of planned absences (may include holidays, does not count towards hours requirement)

Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits.

Term of Service:

• Position Start Date: August 22, 2022
• Position End Date: June 24, 2023
• Service commitment is on-site, 20 hours per week during negotiable days/times in the following range: Monday – Friday; 8:30 am - 6 pm. Occasional community-building events and professional development opportunities may occur outside of set hours and will be scheduled a minimum of three weeks prior
• This is an in-person position unless state/local mandates dictate otherwise.

How to Apply:

• To apply send resume and cover letter to Kristen Fumarola, Director of Capacity Building and Fundraising, at [email protected]

Accepted members will be required to undergo a criminal history check

METCO, Inc. will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. METCO, Inc. welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.