AmeriCorps in Wisconsin! Recruitment Newsletter

AmeriCorps in Wisconsin

Recruitment Newsletter

April 2025

We are here to help and to answer your questions!

Are you interested in learning more about AmeriCorps? Are you ready to join and have questions about which AmeriCorps program is right for you? Contact us! We are happy to answer your questions and help you explore the different programs available.

Please email us at servewisconsin@wisconsin.gov

or call (608) 576-5373.

We look forward to speaking with you!

AmeriCorps Member Spotlight

WisCorps AmeriCorps member Beth DeFoe

"Life on The Road: A Reflection"

The following blog post was written by WisCorps AmeriCorps member Beth DeFoe, who is currently serving his third AmeriCorps term. Check out an excerpt of his post entitled Life on The Road: A Reflection, with additional posts from WisCorps members and staff available on the WisCorps blog webpage.

Life on The Road: A Reflection

There’s something special about life on the road, even if for a short time. It’s packing your belongings into a couple of bags and knowing that this is all you’ll need for a while. Packing yourself into a six-seater with strangers and understanding that you will have each other to rely on, that they just might become something akin to family. Living outside–with hardly more than a sheet of polyester separating you from the elements, watching the sun rise and set every day, nothing between yourself and the stars as you lock the trailer at night–you start to feel just a little bit different. A little bit stronger and a little more connected. There’s no better place than outdoors to notice as leaves bud in the spring, stretch to catch the sun in the summer, dazzle with vivid color in the fall, and crunch beneath your feet as winter approaches. You learn about the land and the sun, watching as they too, change with the seasons.

There’s something about walking over soft pine needles, smelling the aroma of the woods, and looking ahead to see a line of boots padding home to a circle of tents. Everyone in the same place, perhaps carrying the same kind of loppers, but thinking their unique thoughts and feeling something only they can feel…

The end of a long day made more satisfying by how hard you’ve worked to get there. I’ve awoken late at night or in the wee hours of the morning to look at lights in the sky, someone whispering, “Beth, you have to come out of there and look up right now, they’re even better than last time.” And as I would shuffle out of my tent and rub the fog from my eyes, I’d see them, my friends with necks craned and mouths open, standing in the vastness of our current wild, before I saw any dancing streaks of green. We’d stand there together, take a photo or two, and look for a moment longer to take it all in, enjoying this reward saved for those who dare to venture out...

We live as humans on the road, imperfect and ever-changing, and we understand that nothing goes just right. Until it does. Until it does, only because you possess a shared willingness to learn and grow together. It may not happen as you expect or as you hope, but it happens nonetheless and it is good. What’s at the beginning a mess of needs and opinions, everyone dropped in from their individual lives, becomes a neat stack of understanding and collaboration, a tiny community…

It’s the memory of shared experience that makes everything worthwhile. Knowing that you were lucky to have this opportunity to live outside, explore new places, and think of what’s yet to come. Creating a path for future members to follow, demonstrating how and why it works, and hoping that those who choose this path will find the same joy and satisfaction that you did. Maybe I’m sappy, but the trees out here are too and my uniform can vouch for that! I’ve spent a year of my life doing this stuff, going places and seeing things, making friends and building connections, and I’ve grown through it. Now as I hang up my WisCorps boots and prepare for new adventures, I’ll remember this time on the road. I’ll remember life as a crew watching wildflowers bloom and seasons change, as all the while the trees watched us do the same.

Openings at Programs

Many AmeriCorps programs recruit year-round. Below are a few openings that are looking for either immediate hiring, or in the near future. All positions provide a living stipend and an Education Award upon successful completion of the term of service. Please email the program affiliated with each position for more information for additional details and benefits! Click here for a more detailed PDF version about each opening.

2024-25 AmeriCorps positions

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee - ClubCorps

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee – ClubCorps AmeriCorps members provide youth with in-school or afterschool academic enrichment, early literacy instruction, arts programming, social-emotional instruction, community service programming, and afterschool sports programming at local Boys and Girls Clubs and environmental education activities at Camp Whitcomb-Mason. They are currently recruiting for people to serve at Camp Whitcomb/Mason and are looking for energetic individuals to round out our summer staff team to work with campers ages 7-17. Their Day Camp program primarily serves youth from the Hartland area (40 minutes from Milwaukee) on the shores of Lake Keesus, with 300 acres of diverse landscapes including woods, marshland, and rolling hills. Your day will consist of a variety of exciting programmed activities like high ropes course, garden, arts and crafts, pool, and more. While specialists lead these programs, counselors are always on hand to support, encourage participation, and help with the activities.

Application: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=221357fe-1b73-449e-89e9-cddefa8fd265&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&jobId=492546

Email: Joe Schmidlkofer or Sarah Carlson

Easterseals Wisconsin

Easterseals Wisconsin is seeking highly motivated individuals to join our AmeriCorps team at Easterseals Wisconsin Camps, located in beautiful Wisconsin Dells. You will be part of a diverse and inclusive team, helping children and adults with disabilities have the experience of a lifetime as they test their skills on Arts & Crafts, high ropes courses, swimming, hiking, fishing, and SO MUCH MORE. Easterseals Wisconsin AmeriCorps Partnership currently has openings for Summer 2025 Respite Apprentices, who .will provide direct personal care and lead therapeutic recreation activities for individuals with disabilities and their families at Easterseals Wisconsin Camps.

Application: https://www.eastersealswisconsin.com/programs-services/camps/americorps-partnership/ (under Current Open Positions tab)

Email: Cally Ehle

Green Bay Conservation Corps

Green Bay Conservation Corps (GBCC) AmeriCorps members complete conservation projects and engage the public in educational programming and volunteer service. GBCC is currently looking for AmeriCorps members for its summer conservation crew. Members will address areas such as habitat restoration and preservation, trail maintenance and expansion, invasive species removal and native plant establishment, community garden upkeep, and access improvements in the city’s parks and other outdoor spaces.

Application: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/greenbaywi/jobs/4738590/conservation-corps-crew-member-2025?

Email: Maria Otto

Partners for After School Success (PASS) AmeriCorps

Partners for After School Success (PASS) is an AmeriCorps program serving middle and high school youth with the goal of promoting academic achievement. Members provide academic engagement activities, engage youth in community service projects, and facilitate enrichment programming during after school hours to build social-emotional learning skills. Summer 300 hour members serve 30 hours a week at community center host sites located in Madison and surrounding communities.

Application: http://www.passamericorps.org/

Email: Bonnie Erickson

Wisconsin 4-H

Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps members serve at 34 county office locations across the state at county 4-H offices and in partnership with a community organization to 1) see what is currently being offered, 2) help identify what else is wanted/needed and 3) start new partnerships and 4-H clubs to meet needs, reaching new, more and different young people in 4-H and the organization. Along the way, you will build your skills, including recruitment and retention of youth and volunteers, curriculum review, development and teaching practice, youth development skills and even evaluation.

Application: Complete interest form at https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/wisconsin4h-americorps/ to start the process or contact Melinda Pollen at melinda.pollen@wisc.edu or 920-391-4613

Email: Melinda Pollen

Wisconsin DPI AmeriCorps Farm to School

The Wisconsin DPI AmeriCorps Farm to School Program is looking for dedicated service members! AmeriCorps Farm to School members serve their communities by teaching nutrition lessons, connecting local farmers to schools, helping build or maintain school gardens, introducing students to local foods, and promoting volunteerism. Openings are currently available in the following service locations: Shell Lake School District.

Application: https://widpi.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8d1vxtQw1MYgDye

Email: Kara Ignasiak

WisCorps

AmeriCorps members with WisCorps provide several types of conservation-based service, including completing conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin, engaging individuals in environmental education programs, and assisting nonprofit organizations in addressing environmentally-related needs. WisCorps Conservation Crew Leaders guide and motivate Crew Members while completing high-priority conservation and restoration projects all over Wisconsin, such as habitat restoration, invasive plant removal and treatment, trail building and restoration, boardwalk construction, carpentry projects, and other land and grounds management duties for project partners. Individual Placement AmeriCorps members serve with WisCorps partner organizations across the state focused on the areas of natural resource conservation and environmental education to promote community service and environmental awareness through direct training and service in the outdoors while participating in community engagement projects.

Application:

Conservation Crew Leader -- https://wiscorps.org/crew-program/application/
Individual Placement at Hunt Hill Nature Center - Environmental Educators - https://wiscorps.org/hunthill/
Individual Placement at Perrot State Park - Recreation & Habitat Specialist - https://wiscorps.org/perrot-state-park/
Individual Placement at Mississippi Valley Conservancy - Land Steward & Outreach Member - https://wiscorps.org/mvc-fbl/
Individual Placement at The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland at Camp Ehawee - Environmental Education Coordinator - https://wiscorps.org/girls-scouts/
Individual Placement at The Ridges - Summer Naturalist - https://wiscorps.org/the-ridges-naturaist/
Individual Placement at The Ridges - Summer Conservationist - https://wiscorps.org/the-ridges-conservationist/

Email: Eric Robertson

2025-26 AmeriCorps positions

College Possible Wisconsin

College Possible Wisconsin is seeking colleges graduates to serve as AmeriCorps College Access Coaches and Community Partners Team members to support underserved high school students in their college journey. During your service, you'll make a meaningful impact on our scholars as they pursue a college degree while also gaining valuable professional skills and opportunities that will help prepare you for your future post-service endeavors.

Application: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/collegepossibleamericorps/jobs/3509179-466440

Email: Lauren McDuffie

Public Allies Wisconsin

AmeriCorps members with Public Allies Wisconsin work on service projects that enhance and expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations to deliver critical direct services to Wisconsin residents. In our AmeriCorps apprenticeship program, our allies each serve full-time in a local community organization based out of the Milwaukee area. Over the course of the ten months, our allies work to build capacity to support the advancement of the organization's mission in which they serve. Our allies participate in over 200+ hours of leadership development training, receive personalized coaching, and have the opportunity to connect with a talented group of emerging leaders.

Application: https://publicallies.org/ally-application/

Email: apply-mke@publicallies.org

Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Program

AmeriCorps members with the Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Program provide environmental education programming to elementary, middle school, and high school students to reinforce grade-level science curriculum through inquiry and research activities, environmental presentations, and programming for participating classes at the zoo. You will assist in creation and delivery of educational interpretive programming as well as animal handling and assist in maintenance of trained behaviors and zookeeping. You will facilitate volunteer recruitment and training and write reflections on service for Zoo and AmeriCorps publications. You'll also need to act as a positive role model to students in the Racine Zoo AmeriCorps program.

Application: Application information at https://racinezoo.org/careers

Email: Contact Brooke Richardson at brichardson@racinezoo.org for more information

Schools of Hope – United Way of Dane County

The mission of the Schools of Hope AmeriCorps Project is to work with school staff to provide literacy tutoring support aimed at improving the academic achievement of kindergarten through fifth grade students in high-needs schools. Each AmeriCorps member is based at a local elementary school to both tutor students and coordinate community volunteers as reading tutors. As part of the Schools of Hope Project you would be part of a team of AmeriCorps members and participate in a widespread community collaboration coordinated by the United Way of Dane County, in partnership with Madison Metropolitan School District, Sun Prairie Area School District, AmeriCorps, and other partners.

Application: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=83465

Email: Emily Greene

Wisconsin Math Corps and Wisconsin Reading Corps

AmeriCorps members with Wisconsin Math Corps provide math tutoring to kindergarten through 8th grade students to help them build their math skills to become algebra-ready by the end of 8th grade. Tutors use proven scripted interventions to improve students’ math fluency. Tutors support the same caseload of students daily in pairs and assess their growth through weekly progress monitoring. Wisconsin Reading Corps AmeriCorps members provide K-3 students with supplemental reading practice so they can become successful readers as part of an evidence-based, 1-1 tutoring program to intervene with students at-risk of not reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade. Positions are embedded in local elementary schools and tutors are supervised internally by school staff.

Application: https://talent.ampact.us/event-21723/talentcommunity/form

Email: Eric Hoffman

WisCorps

AmeriCorps members with WisCorps provide several types of conservation-based service, including completing conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin, engaging individuals in environmental education programs, and assisting nonprofit organizations in addressing environmentally-related needs. WisCorps Conservation Crew Members complete high-priority conservation and restoration projects all over Wisconsin, such as habitat restoration, invasive plant removal and treatment, trail building and restoration, boardwalk construction, carpentry projects, and other land and grounds management duties for project partners. Environmental Educators serving at The Nature Place assist with planning, scheduling, teaching, and general supervision of existing programs and events for K-12 students and adult community members, and design and implement new programs for different age groups.

Application:

Conservation Crew -- https://wiscorps.org/crew-program/application/
The Nature Place - Community Program Educator - https://natureplacelacrosse.org/jobs/community-program-educator/
The Nature Place - Environmental Educator - https://natureplacelacrosse.org/jobs/environmental-educator/
The Nature Place - Visitor Services – Gardens & Grounds - https://natureplacelacrosse.org/jobs/visitor-services-gardens-grounds/
The Nature Place - Visitor Services Assistant - https://natureplacelacrosse.org/jobs/visitor-services-assistant/

Email:

Conservation Crew -- Eric Robertson
The Nature Place - Rebecca Schwarz and/or staff@natureplacelacrosse.org

Nondiscrimination

Serve Wisconsin and all people and entities associated with Serve Wisconsin will prevent discrimination and harassment against any class of citizens because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital or familial status, genetic information, or political affiliation; and are encouraged to provide equal opportunity to all individuals free of discrimination and comply with the spirit, as well as the letter, of applicable state and federal law.

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