The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.
PHI was distinguished as one of the top 50 "Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work For" by the Non-Profit Times in a national search.
PROGRAM SUMMARY & POSITION OVERVIEW
CivicSpark, a program of the Public Health Institute (PHI), is an award-winning and evidence-based AmeriCorps program in which Fellows focus on planning and policy support to build local government and community capacity to address resilience challenges and create lasting impact in communities across the United States. As of October 2025, we will offer fellowships in 3 states: California, Colorado, and Washington.
CivicSpark AmeriCorps Fellows focus on projects in partnership with local governments and community organizations, such as:
Disaster planning and preparedness
Water policy and management
Affordable housing planning and implementation
Transportation and infrastructure projects
Outdoor recreation activities
Energy network projects
Public health and urban planning activities
Community engagement and planning
While projects vary, Fellows can expect to work on tasks, including research, meeting facilitation, community outreach, data collection and analysis, and report writing. Fellows also lead volunteer engagement projects and attend regular training to build professional and technical skills. Fellows will complete their service year with a strong understanding of working with local governments as well as experience in using critical tools used in the local government and/or non-profit space.
Fellows are spread regionally throughout the states and territories listed above. Each region has an assigned CivicSpark program staff person who oversees the various Fellows in their area, providing guidance, mentorship, and support for the Fellows' professional development goals. Site Supervisors are the Fellows' on-site contacts, who work with Fellows on a day-to-day basis, assist in project work, and support the Fellows' professional growth in the workplace.
This is a time-limited fellowship with an expected start date of October 6, 2025 and expected end date of September 4, 2026. The Fellows are expected to commit to the full term of service which is minimum 1,700 service hours over about 11 months.
This fellowship will be based in one of three states: This fellowship will be based in one of three states: California, Colorado, or Washington.
Fellows are required to live within their state of service by their first day of service and must live within a region no more than 50 miles from their service site's office. Essential duties and responsibilities of the individual Fellow and their service site location are dependent on the specific project the Fellow will work on.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
The allowance for full time Fellows serving 1,700 hours over about 11 months, before taxes and other deductions, is as below:
Living allowance: Up to $35,000
Additional allowance for returning Fellows who had an AmeriCorps Fellowship with CivicSpark in a past year and return to the same project site: Up to $5,000.
Benefits may include the following:
Administered by AmeriCorps:
$7,395
Segal Education Award after successful completion of the full service term
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance
Student loan deferment & interest forbearance if eligible
Qualifies for time served toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Childcare assistance
AmeriCorps alumni support
Administered by PHI / CivicSpark:
Health insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Professional development training
Professional Network development
CivicSpark alumni support
$2,605 California for All Award (California-based full-time Fellows only) upon completion of the fellowship
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Minimum Qualifications
AmeriCorps Requirements:
Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States*
Be at least 17 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Ability to pass FBI, state, and NSOPW background checks prior to service and if the need arises after hired.
*At this time, we are unfortunately unable to accept applicants with visas (such as F1 or F2 student visas, J1 or J2 exchange visitor visas, G series visas, etc.), or those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
CivicSpark Requirements:
2-year Associate degree from an accredited college or university.
Other Required Qualifications
Commitment to the full term of service (minimum 1,700
service hours over about 11
months).
Ability to serve in a professional setting.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Must maintain a professional attitude at all times and show respect toward site supervisor, co-workers, CivicSpark staff, and all other individuals the Fellow engages with during service hours.
Must be able to adapt to change in a work environment, accept constructive feedback, effectively handle multiple tasks and competing demands, work cooperatively in a group, actively resolve conflicts, and work independently.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks.
Ability to be committed to a high standard of safety and willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the program's safety policies and rules.
Be aware of safety protocols and report and issues to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
Must have access to reliable transportation to commute to the regular worksite(s), as well as for travel to meetings, events, and/or other project sites if required.
For Fellows who drive their own vehicle for traveling to sites that are not their regular worksite(s) for meetings, events, and/or other service activities, they must meet the following requirements:
Have the ability to drive to the locations required by the projects.
Maintain a current Department of Motor Vehicles driver's license, vehicle registration, and minimum statutory insurance liability coverage as required by the state law in which the vehicle is registered.
Preferred Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in environmental sciences/studies, urban planning, public policy, or other related field.
*Although a degree in a related field may be leveraged to support project completion, it is not required to participate in the program.
One year of relevant experience including volunteer, internship, or work experience supporting project-related tasks including:
Past service experience (e.g., volunteering, community service, etc.)
Experience with, or training in, outreach, facilitation, and/or education
Experience with project implementation
Experience with local government operations and structures
Comfort with quantitative work, including data collection and analysis
Being local to the community you will serve in.
