Frequently asked questions
Topics include:
- When will I get paid?
- How many hours should I expect to work each day?
- Are we required to wear City Year uniforms every day?
- How many days off do I get during the service year?
- Can I start my service year late?
- Can I end my service year early?
- Can I have another job during my service year?
When will I get paid?
You will receive your first paycheck on Friday, August 30, 2024, and then every other Friday after that. Please note that you will not receive your first paycheck until a few weeks into service; please plan and budget accordingly.
How many hours should I expect to work each day?
A typical service day runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Are we required to wear City Year uniforms every day?
Yes. Once you receive your uniform, you will need to wear it every day in service.
How many days off do I get during the service year?
Every AmeriCorps member can request up to 12 days of pre-planned time off. These can be used as needed for personal reasons such as sick days, doctor’s appointments, religious observance, school / job interviews, etc. Use of these days must be approved by the AmeriCorps member’s direct manager ahead of time.
Additional time off varies by site and is driven by the school district’s annual schedules. AmeriCorps member time off does not always mirror school breaks (example, we conduct Mid-Year Summit during mid-winter break and Spring Break Camps during Spring Break, so those are still service days).
AmeriCorps members can anticipate having an additional break of approximately two weeks around late December to early January.
Can I start my service year late?
There are two service options for your service year — Full Year AmeriCorps member, which starts in August, and Mid-Year AmeriCorps member, which starts in October or January. They each have specific start dates and hours requirements to meet and allow for full or partial receipt of a Segal Education Award at service completion. Please connect with your Service Year Advisor to explore what these options mean.
Can I end my service year early?
The service year runs for roughly 10 months and requires completion of the required service hours. If you decide to leave service early, you will forfeit all City Year benefits you are receiving and your Segal Education Award.
In rare situations, a corps member may be prevented from completing their service year due to circumstances beyond their control. An event that makes it unreasonably difficult or impossible to continue serving is commonly referred to as a compelling personal circumstance, or a CPC.
If a City Year AmeriCorps member experiences a documented compelling personal circumstance during the program year, the site / member may request one of the two options:
- Permit the corps member to temporarily suspend service and return to complete their term.
- Grant the corps member early release from the program without penalty. A corps member released in this manner who has completed 15% of their required service hours and received a satisfactory review will be eligible for a prorated Segal education award.
Can I have another job during my service year?
While we understand that having a second job may be necessary financially, please consider the time and mental commitment your service year will require when making this decision. If you attempt to work a second job, it would be best to look for a weekend job, as you will be unable to adjust your Monday-Friday service schedule.
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