Build sustainable solutions in the community.
Gain valuable real-world experience.
Prepare for your future.
With AmeriCorps, you can serve in a leadership role on an active build site or at a local Habitat office coordinating volunteers and serving Habitat clients. As stipend volunteers, AmeriCorps members receive a monthly living allowance to serve full-time, working to engage more volunteers and serve more families in our community – all the while gaining real-world work experience. Free housing is available for qualified candidates.
Join the Habitat family and help us create safe, stable, energy-efficient and affordable housing while gaining valuable skills and leadership experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is AmeriCorps?
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AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that take different approaches to improve lives and foster civic engagement. More than 250,000 Americans across the country participate in AmeriCorps each year, tackling various community needs in different ways.
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Why serve with AmeriCorps?
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Not only does the community benefit from your AmeriCorps service, but you gain the following:
- Provides you an opportunity to learn and develop new skills and confidence.
- Helps you gain hands-on project management experience.
- Increases your knowledge of service and engagement.
- Improves your performance at a future job.
- $7K + education award that can be used for continuing education (grad school, etc.)
An AmeriCorps service term can also serve as a stepping stone to a full-time career with Habitat. 40% of recent AmeriCorps alumni are now full-time employees of Tacoma Habitat.
Serving with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, you’ll be in the third largest city in Washington: Tacoma. A major destination for outdoor enthusiasts, Tacoma is located on Puget Sound and is a short distance from many Pacific Northwest attractions, including Mt Rainier National Park, Pike Place Market in Seattle, and the Pacific Ocean coastline. Whether you’re into hiking, skiing, mountain biking, trail running, rock climbing, kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing, the Pacific Northwest has it all!
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How long will I serve?
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A complete AmeriCorps service term is 46.5 weeks or approximately 10.5 months, totaling 1,700 service hours. Options for shorter service terms (6-8 months) are also available.
Most members work a Tuesday – Saturday schedule, to support work on the build site.
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Are there benefits?
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- Living allowance of $18,700 for approximately 10 ½ months of service.
- Segal Education Award of $7,395, upon successful completion of service.
- Forbearance for most federally-guaranteed student loans.
- Healthcare benefits and enrollment in an Employee Assistance Plan.
- Personal and medical leave — approximately 10 days total.
- Personal and professional development opportunities.
- Child care benefits, if you qualify.
- Worker’s compensation insurance.
- Free housing may be available.
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What are you looking for in members?
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Minimum requirements:
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident at least 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED.Generally, we’re looking for people who:
- Are passionate about serving the community through direct service.
- Demonstrate respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background.
- Desire to gain hands-on experience in the affordable housing and nonprofit sector.
- Have experience working on a team.
- Possess stellar interpersonal communication skills.
- Are motivated and committed to serve full time and in person.
Tacoma Habitat is now recruiting for the 2024/2025 term. Open positions:
Now, more than ever, we all need to work together to address our affordable housing crisis. Between 1991 and 2021, the average price of a single-family home in Pierce County rose 258%—from $132,540 to $546,318. Wages, however, have remained stagnant. In fact, the National Association of Homebuilders say that at current rates, over 75% of Washington residents are priced out of homeownership. And yet, no matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve a decent place to call home. You could be an integral part in helping us reach our goals to build more homes and to serve more families in Pierce County.
Questions about serving in the Pacific Northwest? Contact us.
For AmeriCorps openings nationwide, visit Habitat for Humanity International’s website. Learn more about the process and program at the AmeriCorps website.
