How to Apply
Who can become an AmeriCorps member?
PgHC members must be 18 years of age or older and U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. 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. 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 Director, Janet Elder at (412) 578-8360 or jelder@achd.net if you have questions.
Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews are done in person although telephone interviews are acceptable if a member is 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 candidate’s resume/AmeriCorps application is forwarded to the designated host site mentor. If the site mentor agrees that the candidate is a possible match for their position they will arrange a interview with the applicant. The final selection of an appropriate member is made between the partner site and the applicant with the approval of the Program Director.
Enrolling in the PgHC
Before an applicant can be enrolled in the PgHC they need to provide the Program Director 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 complete a national and/or 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. Interviews usually begin in March for members who will commit to full-time service (1700 hours) that begins the first week of September. High standards for recruitment and retention are required by the Corporation for National and Community Service so all members that commit to a year of service are expected to successfully complete their year. Applications are usually kept on file for one year.
