Introduction | Member Activities | Benefits of Serving | How to Apply | Available Positions | Faq

How to Apply

Who can become an AmeriCorps member?

Applicant to AmeriCorps members must be 18 years of age or older and U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. If less than 18 years of age, applicants must receive their parent’s or guardian’s permission. All AmeriCorps members must have a high school diploma or G.E.D., or commit to earning their G.E.D. before using the education award.  AmeriCorps must also pass FBI and criminal background checks. Most members have completed college and are heading to medical or graduate schools while some have been out of school for many years benefiting from a broad range of real life experiences and occupations. We value individuals who have already demonstrated a commitment to service through previous volunteer work and who have an interest in a career in the health profession or human services. 

How do I become a PgHC member?

If you are interested in serving as an AmeriCorps-PgHC member, the first step is completing an online application.  Click here to begin the application process.  Contact Program Manager, Dannai Harriel at (412) 578-8360 or dharriel@achd.net if you have questions.

Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will be contacted for a screening interview. We prefer to conduct our screening interviews in person; telephone interviews are acceptable if an applicant lives out of state. After the interview, the applicant will view the available service descriptions (link to position descriptions) for the organizations/host sites that are requesting a PgHC member. The applicant selects the service descriptions they are most interested in based on their skills, interests, goals, and qualifications. The applicant’s AmeriCorps application and/or resume are forwarded to the designated host site mentor. If the site mentor agrees that the candidate is a possible match for their position, the site mentor will arrange an interview with the applicant.  The PgHC does not place members to serve at partner sites. The final selection of an appropriate member to serve at the partner site is made between the mentor/partner site and the applicant with the approval of the PgHC Program Manager. 

Once an applicant and a partner site are “matched”, the applicant must submit paper copies of the following information to the PgHC Program Manager either through email, fax, or U.S. Mail:   

1. Birth Certificate, photo ID, Social Security Card or Passport
2. High school diploma
3. FBI background check
4. Criminal background checks (from state of residence and state of Pennsylvania)

Additionally, the applicant must bring the original documents for the Program Manager to view on the first day of Pre-Service Orientation.

Enrolling in the PgHC

Before an applicant can be enrolled in the PgHC, they must provide the Program Manager with the following documents: proof of citizenship or naturalization (birth certificate, passport, certificate of naturalization), high school diploma, Social Security card, and photo ID (student ID, driver’s license, public assistance ID, passport).  All members will also need to successfully complete a national and state background check.  Full-time members applying for AmeriCorps’ childcare benefits must complete the required documentation to be sent in to AmeriCorpsCARE including birth certificates for all children requesting care.

When are applications due?

The PgHC grant year runs from September 1 through August 31.  PgHC staff usually begins interviewing applicant in April.  The PgHC staff maintains high standards for recruitment of applicants and enrollment of members; all members that are enrolled into the PgHC commit to a year of service and are expected to successfully complete their year.  Applications are usually kept on file for one year.