Community Outreach and Education AmeriCorps Associate
This position is with the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), based in Durham, NC. TLC strives to create ahealthier and more vibrant Triangle region by safeguarding clean water,protecting natural habitats, supporting local farms and food, and connecting people with nature through land protection and stewardship, catalyzingcommunity action, and collaboration.
The 2021-2022 positions will have a start date (for new full-time 11 month members) of September 1st 2021 and an end date of July 31st 2022.
**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.
For the 2021-2022 service year, Resilience Corps NC offers a living stipend of $17,000 for 11 months, health insurance reimbursement for premiums, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (individual trainings, enrollment in NC Environmental Education Certificate Program, and conferences in conjunction with the NC Commission on Volunteerism). Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $6,345 from the National Service Trust.
CTNC is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference or familial status.
CTNC seeks to engage applicants from underrepresented communities, particularly of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, and Native American background, in conservation careers. Connecting more diverse applicants to an employment pathway has led to greater equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in conservation.
Purpose of the Position
In this role, the AmeriCorps member will help TLC expand our reach into the communities around our preserves through educational programming, outreach, and volunteer coordination. The AmeriCorps member will help TLC broaden its message and strengthen support by working with schools, staging events, and by engaging new partners and groups of people. The AmeriCorps member will be responsible for developing and implementing programs and activities designed to increase engagement with underserved communities - particularly youth and families. They will also enhance opportunities for community involvement with TLC’s conservation efforts through expanding promotion and implementation of programs such as Triangle Explorer, Hiking Challenge, Get Wild!, Citizen Science, volunteer stewardship, and internship programs. The AmeriCorps member will help to expand the capacity of TLC’s stewardship team by managing volunteer groups and training a new “volunteer corps” to lead volunteer groups. In addition to education-related outreach and program work, the AmeriCorps member will also support TLC’s stewardship outreach by helping to bring new and more diverse volunteers to these events through expanded partnerships and creative marketing.
Position Responsibilities and Duties
Partnerships:
- Actively apply Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens to all TLC programs and partnerships to help TLC become more equitable and by continuing to collaborate with and support organizations led by Black and Brown people, to work with minority-owned businesses, and to build relationships with communities of color.
- Initiates, develops, and coordinates community partnerships that provide outreach opportunities for underserved communities to engage on TLC preserved land and to raise TLC’s profile in the Triangle community.
- Acts as the community liaison to local community groups such BOOST, Boys and Girls Club of Durham/Orange County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Triangle BikeWorks, and the Raleigh Salvation Army.
- Participates in the grant process by helping to research and draft grant proposals and preparing grant reports, as needed.
Programming:
- Plans, develops, and implements innovative events, virtual activities, outings and other activities both on and off preserve sites that engage the community, TLC partners, and members.
- Furthers development and implementation of TLC’s Get Wild! family programming, Triangle Explorer, and hiking challenge.
- Helps support outreach and development of TLC’s Youth council and conservation workforce development internship program.
- Expands, promotes, and manages TLC’s Citizen Science program with a goal of increasing community involvement and engagement at TLC’s preserves.
- Schedules and handles registration for events and outings. Works with the Communications Manager to develop social media and website presence to promote events and provide updates on projects and outreach events.
- Manages TLC tabling at events, leads outings and hikes as needed, and arranges for volunteers to help fill these and other roles.
- Tracks and follows up on event participation using Raiser’s Edge NXT and Volunteer Hub.
- Tracks success and overall performance of activities; analyzes performance of programs.
Volunteers:
- Coordinates volunteer opportunities for community groups, members, and corporate partners for a variety of TLC events, programs, and projects.
- Identifies and cultivates new volunteer relationships, works with stewardship team to match volunteers with appropriate projects.
- Help implement TLC’s Service Enterprise Action plan to more efficiently and effectively use skill-based volunteers.
- Assist with select stewardship workdays or cleanups when needed, helping to advertise the opportunity and attending when necessary, as well as assisting work-day leaders in volunteer management and logistical coordination.
- Create and manage the development of a “volunteer corps” of capable and experienced volunteers who can lead stewardship projects when staff members are unavailable. Produce associated protocols and management systems to ensure program success and longevity.
- Recruits, trains and manages volunteers for outreach programming, conservation workdays, TLC tabling, and office support.
- Helps to define and implement outreach into neighborhoods, community groups, and businesses near TLC preserves. This includes coordinating small volunteer groups to attend and provide environmental education at community events.
- Recruit and manage volunteers for TLC’s nature hikes and assist hike leaders with logistics.
Qualifications
- BA or BS or equivalent experience.
- Has a strong understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and a commitment to noticing how our work can be more equitable and supporting those efforts.
- Knowledge of and experience with diverse communities.
- Experience working with children and conducting youth programs.
- Experience with environmental education.
- Proven problem solver and the ability to work independently.
- Experience building trail, clearing invasive species, or performing outdoor maintenance preferred.
- Familiarity with social media platforms and website systems (WordPress, Instagram, Facebook).
- Familiarity with land trusts and/or the Triangle is very helpful.
- Has valid driver’s license.
Essential Functions / Physical Demands
Member must be comfortable with a flexible work environment. Work will take place remotely, in an office setting, and at our nature preserves. When working outside, the member will be in strenuous circumstances and should be physically fit and able to work in the outdoors. Member should be able to travel on uneven terrain and lift objects weighing at least 30 pounds.
Preferred Schedule
9am to 5pm on weekdays, and the member will have regular weekend duties. The member will not be required to work more than 40 hours per week, unless needed to obtain hours for AmeriCorps.