AmeriCorps Stormwater Education Coordinator

This position is with Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG), located in Durham, NC. TJCOG is a regional entity whose mission is “To serve as an intergovernmental organization for local elected officials that works proactively on regional issues in order to sustain and improve the quality of life for our citizens.” We convene local governments, stakeholders and partners to tackle the many challenges that cross jurisdictional lines. TJCOG’s Clean Water Education Partnership program, with which the AmeriCorps member would serve, is a cooperative effort between local governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations to protect water quality in the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear River Basins. CWEP aims to protect North Carolina’s waterways from stormwater pollution through public education and outreach that shows how clean water is vital for healthy ecosystems and communities.

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents - Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, College Transcripts, Birth Certificate (if US Passport not uploaded).** If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment will be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

The Stormwater Education Coordinator will play a unique and critical role in promoting behavior changes through outreach and education about water quality impacts and solutions. Typically, dedicated environmental education staff only exist in larger, wealthier communities; therefore, only these communities receive education about how stormwater can pollute our lakes and rivers. The Education Coordinator will plan events for CWEP member communities spanning a range of sizes and resource levels, both urban and rural. For smaller communities who lack environmental education staff, the member will work to ensure that educational events are accessible and relevant for low-income and minority community members.

The 2021 AmeriCorps would hone their skills in stormwater education through various training opportunities that include (but are not limited to) Project WET, Project WILD and NCEE workshops. The service member will translate this information into programs suitable for children and adults of various age levels and socioeconomic statuses, and will gain valuable interactive, educational, and interpretive skills through the promotion and implementation of outreach events. The member will aid CWEP in delivering programs and resources that individually and/or collectively serve CWEP’s 40 member communities before the end of the term.

The Stormwater Education Coordinator will plan, schedule and deliver interactive watershed lessons (virtually or in person) to students and adults through schools, libraries, continuing education sessions, and other forums. With CWEP members across the eastern half of the state, there are many opportunities to educate the public!

 The AmeriCorps member would work with the CWEP local government staff to coordinate, schedule, and conduct what will likely be a combination of virtual and in-person education programs that convey the importance of clean water and the impact of public behavior on stormwater runoff and water quality and promote behavior changes in these communities. The member would lead in spearheading a Regional Creek Week effort, and help deliver lessons on water pollution, flooding and resilience to adults at continuing education sessions put on by environmental justice-focused nonprofits.

 Additional potential responsibilities may include developing/sharing topical water infographics on social media and shaping CWEP’s online presence via writing blog posts. If the AmeriCorps member spoke any languages in addition to English, the position would seek out and deliver demonstrations and/or written content to communities with that shared language.

 Target audiences for educational resources may include school classes (elementary through high school), civic groups, library groups, or attendees at fairs/festivals (all as permitted by public health guidelines and as requested by CWEP members.)

Existing lesson topics include (but are not limited to):

-What is a watershed, and what watershed do I live in? What water source does it connect to?

-What is stormwater? How do stormwater flooding and/or pollution affect my neighborhood?

-What are point and nonpoint source pollution? How can I prevent stormwater pollution?

-How are storm drains connected to our local waterways? What lives in our local waterways?

-How does stormwater affect stream biota? How can macroinvertebrates be used as indicators of water quality? 

Qualifications 

Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills are required, as the member will be responsible for communicating with CWEP members statewide and will provide outreach and education to people from various backgrounds and ages. A valid driver’s license and a vehicle are also required (the member will be reimbursed for their travel to and from educational outreach events.)

 Bachelor of Sciences or Bachelor of Education, environmental education experience or degree in environmental science, biology, or social science is preferred. Basic knowledge of watersheds/ stormwater is helpful but can be learned on the job- it is more important to have prior skills/experience conducting education. The member could choose to focus on serving a specific age group (elementary, middle, high, adult) that they have prior experience teaching. Additional language skills would be an added bonus.

 The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and creative, as they may develop new educational outreach lessons and materials if desired, as well as using existing ones. Additionally, they should be attentive to detail, enjoy working independently, and once they have been trained teaching alone at times. They will sometimes be co-teaching lessons with a member of local government, but as smaller local governments do not have education staff, this is not always possible. This is a public-facing leadership role that would let the member grow their education/engagement and project management skills by providing a much needed service to CWEP members! 

The physical demands of this position are moderate. The AmeriCorps member must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time, drive a car and be able and willing to lift 25 lbs and actively participate in outdoor environmental education events when requested by CWEP members. The member must have a reliable personal vehicle to drive to member communities for education events.

The schedule will be a 40-hour work week, generally within the regular weekday timeframe, with occasional night and/or weekend work as in-person education events dictates. During the week the member should expect to coordinate with local government staff partners to schedule and deliver in person or virtual educational events or activities. If COVID allows, there may be the possibility for frequent weekends in fall and spring working at educational tabling events at festivals and fairs. If mass gatherings are not advisable, work will focus more on working with local government and nonprofit partners to conduct virtual education/engagement efforts and social media content throughout the year, to include ongoing initiatives events such as March a Regional Creek Week.