Background Information

South Sound GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network) is a watershed education and action program for grades 4-12 located in Thurston County, Washington.  South Sound GREEN (SSG) provides opportunities for students to explore, investigate, and take action to improve their local stream, river, lake or wetland and the shorelines of South Puget Sound.  The vision of SSG is a community with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to act as stewards of our local watersheds.  Our mission is Connecting community and schools for watershed protection.

In support of this mission the AmeriCorps service member will provide support to our community by involving community volunteers, local agencies and partners in the monitoring and restoration of Puget Sound and the upper watersheds.  Equally, the AmeriCorps member will support schools by serving directly with the more than 40 participating teachers and 1,000 students to make their experience more meaningful and permanent.

Project Description

The South Sound GREEN AmeriCorps member will deliver high quality environmental educational learning experiences to Thurston County youth and adults.  This will occur not only in the classroom but also at local beaches, marinas, wetlands, creeks, lakes and other outdoor learning environments.  The AmeriCorps member will engage students through water quality monitoring, nearshore experiences, restoration projects, and the 23rd Annual Student GREEN Congress where students will present and analyze data on more than 50 monitoring sites. He/she will assist teachers by increasing their skills and confidence with watershed education.

The AmeriCorps member will lead a workshop for Summer Teacher Institute, an annual training opportunity where teachers hear current science, receive curriculum in-service, and visit field sites. Additionally, the AmeriCorps member will coordinate volunteers, assist with water quality monitoring events twice per Program Year, plan and implement habitat enhancement projects, provide program outreach such as articles for SSG’s Water Watchers newsletter, coordinate with program partners and facilitate service learning projects with classes to benefit their watershed.

Essential Functions Within the Position

·     Delivering high quality environmental education to program participants

·     Volunteer Coordination

·     Water Quality Monitoring

·     23rd Annual Student GREEN Congress

·     Nearshore/Marine Field Trips

·     Restoration or Riparian Enhancement Projects

·     Summer Teacher Institute

Minimum Qualifications

·     Must be between the ages of 21 and 25 (by October 1, 2014)

·     Must be willing to submit to a background check to work with children and volunteers

·     Must have a valid Driver’s License and safe driving record

·     Must be eligible to apply for Americorps service (www.americorps.gov)

Service Conditions

·     The AmeriCorps member serves alongside staff and interns at the TCD.A fully equipped office is provided at Thurston Conservation District (TCD) in Tumwater, WA.

·     The member has multiple opportunities for meeting and planning with community partners.

·     A substantial portion of the position involves preparing and providing classroom presentations and training sessions.

·     Service varies between field and office. A significant amount of time is spent outdoors at stream monitoring and restoration sites and Puget Sound shorelines and may include some hauling, shoveling and digging.  The position may involve substantial walking in rough terrain.

·     The AmeriCorps member should be able to lift up to 30 pounds.

·     Shovels, loppers and a weed wrench are available for use with students.

·     Outdoor activities will be held in all types of weather

Additional Qualifications Desired

·     BA/BS preferred, some college OK

·     Experience delivering environmental education to students in grades 4-12 in both classroom and field environments

·     Strong organizational and communication skills

·     Works well as a team and with a diverse group of community partners

·     Experience working in a non-profit setting

·     Background in water quality monitoring or other related field

·     Personal connection and commitment to outdoor space

Compensation

·     Living stipend of $1,155/month, plus eligible to apply for food stamps through DSHS;

·     health insurance

·     Post-service Education Award of $5,645;

·     multiple training opportunities

·     forbearance for student loans

To apply visit:  https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=55095&fromSearch=true