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MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTION OUTLINE 

This outline is a training tool designed to help new AmeriCorps program staff create a strong member position description. It will 

be most helpful when used alongside the Grant Terms and Conditions, AmeriCorps Regulations, and other AmeriCorps-specific 

guidance. The outline is for reference only; it does not contain citations for all AmeriCorps grant or program requirements. 

Additional information on member position descriptions can be found on AmeriCorps State and National grantee pages on 

AmeriCorps.gov under Resources – “Manage Members”.

Guidance documents referenced in this outline: 

• AC = AmeriCorps State and National Grants Program Specific Terms and Conditions 

• 45 CFR = AmeriCorps Regulations 

Annual General and Program Specific Terms and Conditions can be found on AmeriCorps State and National grantee pages on 

AmeriCorps.gov under Resources – “View Terms and Conditions”.

A member position description is a required component of the member service agreement. It should accurately, completely, and 

specifically describe the activities to be performed by each AmeriCorps member. Each AmeriCorps member enrolled in the 

Member Portal must have a position description on file before they begin service. Member position descriptions must also be 

available for inspection by AmeriCorps, State Commission, Native Nation, or National Direct program staff, and as part of an audit 

or investigation of the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General. 

SECTION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS/

BEST PRACTICES

AMERICORPS 

MEMBER NAME 

• N/A • Include member’s full name as listed on formal documentation.

AMERICORPS 

MEMBER POSITION 

TITLE

• N/A • Identify a brief, specific title (1-3 words) of the service which 

accurately reflects the content, purpose, and scope of the member 

service position. 

• Do not use the title “AmeriCorps Member.” This does not provide 

sufficient detail of the member’s service.
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SECTION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS/

BEST PRACTICES

PROGRAM • N/A • Provide the AmeriCorps program name and location. 

• The program name should match the program name approved by

AmeriCorps and listed on the Notice of Grant Award.

SITE LOCATION • N/A • Identify the specific program location and/or service sites(s) where a 

member will complete their service. Include the full address of the 

program and site(s), if applicable. 

• Clearly distinguish the AmeriCorps program name and location from 

the member’s service site name and location, if appropriate for the 

program design.

PURPOSE • N/A • Define the broad purposes that the program is aiming to achieve, 

describe the community the program is designed to serve, and state 

the values and guiding principles which define its standards. 

• Provide a brief (up to 3 sentences) summary of the purpose of 

member service by outlining the duties and responsibilities of the 

member and how this role connects within the organization. 

DESCRIPTION OF 

DUTIES 

• Confirm that the member 

duties are not prohibited 

activities as outlined in 45 

CFR §2520.65. 

• Confirm that the 

AmeriCorps member 

position description 

follows the requirements 

related to 

supplementation, 

duplication or 

displacement of staff as 

outlined in 45 CFR 

§2540.100 (e) – (f). 

A member position description should provide meaningful service 

activities and performance criteria that are appropriate to the skill level 

of members. 

• Keep in mind that this section should thoroughly define the member 

service activities in specific terms including quantifiable performance 

goals and projected accomplishments. 

• Clearly delineate between “essential” functions and “non- essential” 

functions in alignment with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

• Do not include vague activity descriptions such as “other duties as 

assigned.”
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SECTION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS/

BEST PRACTICES

• Confirm that the member 

position description 

clearly describes recurring 

access to vulnerable 

populations as outlined in 

45 CFR §2510.20. 

• Confirm that duties meet 

the requirements of 

members as Team 

Leaders, if relevant for the 

program design.

QUALIFICATIONS • At a minimum, members 

must be high school 

graduates, GED 

recipients, working toward 

attaining a high school 

diploma or GED during 

their term of service. 

Members must agree to 

obtain either a diploma or 

GED before using an 

education award. 

• Include the full list of 

member eligibility 

requirements in 45 CFR 

§2522.200(a). 

• Confirm that member 

agrees to provide 

information to establish 

eligibility and to complete 

a National Service 

Criminal History Check as 

• List minimum qualifications, training, or experience requirements to 

be successful in the position.

• In addition to the AmeriCorps requirements, programs may require 

specific knowledge, qualities (e.g., age), or experience that a 

member must possess in order to successfully complete the service 

assignment.

• Identify the specific areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities required 

for members to be successful and to be qualified for the position. 

o Knowledge: Describe commonly known principles required to 

perform the service position and any background information 

that is applied directly to the performance of a function. 

o Skills: Describe measurable skills needed to perform the 

service position, including technical and/or interpersonal 

skills.

o Abilities: Describe measurable competencies or other 

qualities needed to perform the service position. 
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SECTION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS/

BEST PRACTICES

outlined in 45 CFR 

§2540.200-206. 

TERM OF SERVICE • Confirm that the position 

description follows 

requirements AC.IV.

• Provide the start/end date commitments required to successfully 

complete the term of service and be eligible for the education 

award. These dates should match the service term dates in the 

Member Portal.

• Include the classification, per AmeriCorps statute, of the member’s 

term of service (e.g., full-time, half-time, etc.). This classification is 

linked to the amount of the education award that will be available 

upon successful completion of the term of service.

• Confirm that member has sufficient opportunity to fulfill the term of 

service including holidays, time off, and missed hours. 

TIME REQUIREMENTS • Confirm that member 

training hours meet the 

requirements of 45 CFR 

§2520.50. 

• Include the days and hours of the week that the member will be 

expected to serve most commonly while in the position. Be as 

specific as possible (e.g., Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). 

• Include requirements for members to participate in events such as 

national, state, or local service projects or events as part of the 

service. 

ORIENTATION AND 

TRAINING 

• N/A Member orientation, training, and development will vary by program 

and by member role.

• Briefly describe the orientation process for members including 

training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 

• Identify the professional, personal, or service-related member 

development activities and training that a member might engage in 

during and in addition to his or her service.
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SECTION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS/

BEST PRACTICES

BENEFITS • Amount of the Segal 

AmeriCorps Education 

Award being offered for 

successful completion of 

the term of service in 

which the individual is 

enrolling (AC IV.H) 

• Amount of the living 

allowance the member will 

earn if applicable (AC 

VIII.A) 

• Healthcare coverage, if 

applicable (AC VIII.D) 

• Childcare coverage if the 

member qualifies (AC 

VIII.F and 45 CFR 

§2522.250) 

• Student loan forbearance 

and interest payments if

the member qualifies. 

Provide the tangible and intangible benefits of AmeriCorps service. 

Tangible benefits include the member living allowance (if provided in 

the program), the education award, student loan forbearance, etc. 

• Include intangible benefits such as making a difference in a 

community, being part of a dedicated service team, etc. 

• Include the benefits available for AmeriCorps alumni available on 

the member and volunteer webpage of AmeriCorps.gov. 

• Include information on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 

from studentaid.gov. 

EVALUATION AND 

REPORTING

• Include the member 

performance evaluation 

requirements in the grant 

year terms and conditions 

(AC V.G). 

• Provide members with the criteria and timeline for evaluating their 

performance. 

• Performance evaluations 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. 

• Include reporting requirements (e.g., bi-weekly timesheets, monthly 

data reports, quarterly narrative reports). 

SUPERVISOR NAME 

AND CONTACT 

INFORMATION 

• N/A • Provide the name, job title, and contact information of the member’s 

immediate supervisor. In some cases, there may be two supervisors: 

the AmeriCorps program supervisor and the service site supervisor.
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SECTION REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS/

BEST PRACTICES

OTHER 

CONSIDERATIONS

• N/A • Include signature lines for both the member and supervisor(s) to 

indicate that they have read and understand the member position 

description. 

• Include the date the position description was edited/finalized by the 

AmeriCorps program staff. 

• Review guidance related to the employment status of AmeriCorps 

members from AmeriCorps.gov. 

• Review guidance on AmeriCorps branding and messaging from the 

Office of External Affairs on AmeriCorps.gov.