Design Corps

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Each year, Design Corps seeks motivated, creative, self-starters who are independent problem solvers to serve communities as Design Corps Fellows. These positions are an opportunity to apply what you have learned in school for a good cause and to explore the larger role that designers can play in identifying and solving community needs. Design Corps Fellowships deploy design talent, energy, and education in communities who would otherwise not have access to a designer. They each address a critical social need with a design solution that would not be addressed otherwise. All positions are a one-year commitment.

Interested candidates should be forewarned that these positions are hard work, will require all your abilities, and are not guaranteed of success. All positions require sacrifice and dedication. A high level of independent problem-solving and decision making are involved. Not all positions are the same, but in general the Fellow is responsible for coordinating the visioning, community participation, funding, design, and construction of farmworker housing units or other community-based projects. The Fellow will gain broad experience in the general field of community-based design, including design services, while learning additional tools such as grant writing, coalition building, volunteer coordination, community organizing, and budget planning. Project delivery, from inception to completion, is generally a two-year cycle at a minimum, so a Fellow will typically not see a project from start through completion.

Fellows are intended to explore the relationship between design and community needs. As an exploration, it will be essential for each Fellow to be self-motivated, flexible, and responsible. Fellows must adapt to the mission and agenda of the community they serve.

The work of each fellow will be defined in a specific work plan. Typically project delivery, from inception to completion, is a multi-year process. Fellows’ positions are available for either one or two years.

The general expectations of each Fellow are as follows:

Understand the community being served through direct communication with residents of the area, and from documented local sources.
Understand the individuals being served. Respect clients as unique beings, and include them in the design process, recognizing their expertise in their own needs, wants, and dreams.
Achieve the highest quality and consideration in design, while respecting the economic circumstances of the client.
Achieve quality in building, detailing, and construction through planning and attention.
Initiate projects and take steps to complete projects by assembling teams of community activists to help define the community needs. Help to define and create the appropriate solutions of the built environment to resolve those needs.
Understand all the influences that impact the project.
Expand the architecture profession's ability to serve the population not being served in their housing needs.

Fellows are also responsible for administrative tasks, such as time sheets and quarterly reports. Reports will include an analysis of the experience and contributions made, documentation of the work through photographs, and copies of drawings completed during the Fellow’s tenure.

Eligibility: Any graduate of an accredited architecture program, or any student currently enrolled in an architecture program who will have graduated by their start date, is eligible to apply. Experience in architecture and/or social service delivery is desirable.

Salary & Benefits: The position will receive a living stipend commensurate with the AmeriCorps and VISTA programs (the federal domestic Peace Corps program) salary--a minimum of $800 per month, which varies per site based on cost of living. (This rate is set by the federal program.) There is also an additional $5,000 of college loan forgiveness after one year of service, plus benefits. Federal education loans are deferred during this program. The position has two weeks of vacation and ten floating personal days.

Locations: Fellowships are located with partner organizations throughout the country. Specific positions available are posted by March 15 of each year. While Fellows can request a specific state, Design Corps will make offers based on both the greatest need for migrant housing and Fellows’ personal preferences.

Training: Design Corps will provide extensive training for the responsibilities described above. At a minimum, there will be a week of training at the beginning of the year and six months into the position. For most positions, a two-month design/build program will be held during June and July, but this may be waived if the position has immediate demands and responsibilities. In addition, there will be regular contact between Design Corps staff and the Fellows, including site visits and regional meetings.

Site Sponsorship Description

Design Corps wishes to form partnerships with other like-minded organizations that will host Fellows for one year. The Fellow’s work plans must reflect mutual goals of the Site Sponsor and the personal goals of the Fellow.

Design Corps provides year-long Fellowships to recent graduates of architecture schools. These students are eager to contribute and learn about the business and construction of low-income architecture as they coordinate the funding and design of projects. The Design Corps Fellowship program brings together the needs of the community and the needs of bright young architects, matching an abundant supply of talent and energy with the social problems that need attention. Training, supervision, and frequent assessments assure that these internships are successful.

To start, the Site Sponsor and Fellow each outline their goals for the year. These are then combined into a work plan that is agreed to by both parties. Each work plan must meet the quality standards of the Design Corps Fellowship program to assure that the experience is valuable for the Site Sponsor and Fellow alike.

The following outlines how that relationship would benefit each party and provides examples of the type Fellows have accomplished:

Design Corps will recruit skilled architecture graduates who are willing to work as AmeriCorps members.
Design Corps will secure a living stipend for the Fellowship position.
In return for this, the Site Sponsor will provide office space, use of a desk, phone, and supplies. All expenses associated with the work plan activities shall be paid by Site Sponsor at no cost to Fellow or Design Corps. Site Sponsor will cover all expenses for work-related travel and expenses.
The Fellow will provide one year of volunteer service for which he or she will be compensated directly by the AmeriCorps program. Health care will also be provided by the AmeriCorps program.
The Site Sponsor will assign a single Site Supervisor, who will mentor the Fellow during the year. All assignments must be based on the original work plan for the year. Any changes may only be made by mutual consent of Design Corps, Site Sponsor, and Fellow.
It is understood that Fellow has entered into this position with the specific interest in working on the projects specified and in participating in as much design work on the project as possible. Participating in these activities is essentially the Fellow’s compensation for the year of their time, skills, and effort. In the event that there is not sufficient work on the work plan at any time, alternative projects may be proposed but must be agreed to by Fellow, Design Corps, and Site Sponsor and also be appropriate for the AmeriCorps program.
Design Corps will provide two site training sessions with each position per year and two combined training sessions per year at an off-site location--a total of four meetings.
Design Corps will arrange for the Fellowship time to meet the Intern Development Program requirements needed for architectural licensure.
Site Sponsor will be responsible for providing the required match of $10,000/year.
Site Sponsor will provide day-to-day supervision of Fellows, administer work plan, and comply with all program requirements.
Site Sponsor will provide computer with appropriate software for Fellow’s use.