Member Onboarding Guide
We’re Excited You’re Here!
We are thrilled that you have elected to serve your community with AmeriCorps! As an AmeriCorps member, you are a part of something exceptional. By devoting your days with AmeriCorps, you’re helping tackle disparities and getting things done for our country. Thank you!
As you progress through the onboarding process, you’ll receive a number of emails and complete various tasks. This guide will be your reference.
Navigating this Guide
Click on a topic to jump to the corresponding section of this guide.
Note that these tasks are listed in the order in which they most commonly take place. Depending on your specific situation, these tasks could happen in a slightly different order, and that’s okay!
Registering for your background check (fingerprinting) - new members only*
Completing your background check - new members only*
* These steps need to be completed by new members; returning members do not need to complete them unless otherwise directed by staff.
Completing Online Paperwork
After accepting an offer to serve and talking with your Program Manager/Coach, your next step is to complete your online paperwork packet. This packet contains a series of tasks that need to be completed before your service term can begin. The paperwork packet will take an average of one hour to complete. You will access your online paperwork in a system called iCIMS.
Look for an email from: paperwork@ampact.us
Subject line: Let’s get started! Your online paperwork is ready to complete!
This email will contain login credentials and instructions.
After logging into the system, you will be guided through a series of tasks. Each task includes detailed instructions, the system will track your progress toward completion. Please complete your paperwork packet as soon as you receive it. Timely completion of these online tasks is critical to prepare for the next steps of the onboarding process. Reach out to your Program Manager/Coach for support at any point while completing your online paperwork.
Click here for tips on navigating your online paperwork packet.
The Background Check (fingerprinting) task will walk through a registration process in a separate system. After completing the registration, please return to the paperwork packet in the portal and click the "I have completed this step" button at the right-hand corner of the page. This will mark the task as complete.
Registering for Background Check (fingerprinting)
This step needs to be completed by new members; returning members do not need to complete this step unless otherwise directed by staff.
Before beginning their service, all AmeriCorps members undergo fingerprinting and a background check. It's a quick and easy process. You'll find step-by-step instructions in your paperwork packet online in the "Registration: Background Check" task.
For detailed instructions for each step, click here.
Step One
Schedule an appointment to get your fingerprints taken. You will schedule this appointment through a system called Fieldprint*. After scheduling your fingerprint appointment, return to the paperwork packet in the iCIMS system and click the “I have made an appointment” button at the bottom right-hand corner of the page. This will mark the task as complete.
*Members serving in California will NOT be required to complete a Fieldprint appointment. Additional instructions can be found in your paperwork packet, proceed to Step Two.
Step Two
Complete an online invitation from a system called Truescreen. You will not be prompted to complete this step until your paperwork packet is completed and reviewed by our staff. At that time, you will receive an email notification about how to complete this second step. See below for additional details on completing your Truescreen invitation.
Completing Background Check
This step needs to be completed by new members; returning members do not need to complete this step unless otherwise directed by staff.
Every AmeriCorps member must complete a two-part background check. You will complete the first step — scheduling a fingerprint appointment through Fieldprint, as part of your online paperwork packet. After you complete your paperwork tasks, there will be two more important actions you need to take.
Attend Your Fingerprint Appointment
You will receive confirmation and reminder emails from customerservice@fieldprint.com. Your confirmation email will contain your Appointment Number. Bring this number, along with two forms of identification (one must be government-issued and contain a photo) to your appointment. After your fingerprinting is complete, you will receive an email with a link to view the results of your check.
Complete Your Truescreen Invitation
Once your online paperwork is complete and verified by our staff, you will receive an electronic invitation from Truescreen. It is important to complete the invitation right away.
This invitation email will come from: ApplicationStation@truescreen.com.
It will have the subject line: Background Investigation Forms Requested
Follow the instructions on the form, which will include uploading a photo or scan of your government-issued ID. Once you complete the online disclosures and Truescreen process, you will have an opportunity to view your results. Your results may say “Review” with a red X, do not be concerned, this simply means that our team has not reviewed your results yet.
For detailed instructions on completing the Truescreen invitation, click here.
Gathering Eligibility Documents
Because AmeriCorps has very specific eligibility criteria, all members must verify their eligibility to serve. To ensure you meet the requirements, you will need to present government-issued IDs/documents that confirm both your identity and citizenship status. A variety of IDs and documents meet the requirements.
For a checklist and photo examples visit: www.ampact.us/documents
Completing My AmeriCorps Invitation
All members serving with AmeriCorps are enrolled in an online system called My AmeriCorps. Enrollment in this system notifies AmeriCorps that you are serving as a member with our program. My AmeriCorps is also the system where you will access your Education Award after you successfully complete your service term.
After your online paperwork is complete, we will send you an Enrollment Invitation for My AmeriCorps. This invitation will come in an email from either myamericorps@americorps.gov or epayments@americorps.gov. Follow the link in the email and complete the Enrollment Invitation right away. If you have any questions about how to complete the invitation, please see this troubleshooting guide or contact your Program Manager/Coach for support!
Ordering Your Member Gear
As an AmeriCorps member, you will receive a set of program gear to wear throughout your service term. Wearing your member gear is how you will represent the program mission and your dedication to transforming lives in your community. You can order your gear by using the link provided in the Ampact Hub.
Your gear order will be shipped directly to the address you list on your order form. It should arrive within four weeks of your order date.
Optional Welcome Sessions
This step is optional but strongly encouraged to be completed by new members.
Your welcome session is the next step in preparing for your AmeriCorps experience! During this session, we will walk through onboarding steps, the Ampact Hub, and help answer questions. .
Access to Ampact Hub
You will receive access to our Ampact Hub 5-7 days after you receive your paperwork. The Ampact Hub will contain a customized list of your onboarding items, your training dates, link to order your gear and more!
Attending Optional Webinars
Members will have the opportunity to attend optional webinars:
Optional Member Benefits Webinar
Members may register to attend one or more of our optional member benefits webinars by clicking this link. The webinar covers all the benefits we have to offer, from health insurance and childcare assistance to Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you are unable to attend a live webinar, you can watch a recording here: Member Benefits Webinar 10.27.22.