NPSF Now Recruiting for AmeriCorps Position Beginning January 18, 2016
Native Plant Salvage Foundation is now recruiting for an enthusiastic AmeriCorps Member to begin service as our Peer‐to‐Peer Volunteer Program Coordinator in mid‐January 2016, focusing on Green Stormwater Infrastructure/Low Impact Development.
The member will be part of three‐person team that carries out all the activities of the WSU Water Resources Program & Native Plant Salvage Project, conducting action projects and providing hands‐on environmental education for people of all ages. We are seeking an individual who:
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is an enthusiastic learner ready for new challenges that will develop a range of skills;
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enjoys learning and working in an interdisciplinary manner;
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works as part of a team, but who is independently driven and comfortable managing specific projects with minimal supervision but regular communication.
Our activities take place in a fast‐paced environment, with multiple projects often occurring simultaneously and in different locations in the South Puget Sound region (mostly in Thurston County) and occasionally in other locations in the Salish Sea/Puget Sound region.
This position will serve through Washington Service Corps for a 6‐month commitment beginning January 18 through July 15, 2016. This position will focus on supporting the Stormwater Steward Program, in which highly trained community volunteers engage community members in stormwater prevention pollution via peer education, technical assistance, and site‐based retrofit recommendations. In addition, this Member will assist in other community outreach and support of workshops aimed at teaching adult learners ways they can be part of the solution to the stormwater pollution that is the biggest single threat to the health of Puget Sound and will maintain portions of the NPSF website relevant to his/her work to better communicate his/her activities to the general public and recruit additional volunteers.
The successful candidate will be eager to learn and engage with community partners, including schools, veterans’ organizations, public agencies, non‐profit organizations, and volunteers of diverse abilities and backgrounds.
The Native Plant Salvage Foundation supports WSU Thurston County Extension’s Native Plant Salvage Project/Water Resources Program in protecting water resources and fish and wildlife habitat. NPSF builds community capacity through extensive volunteer‐based activities, as well as field‐based and classroom trainings for youth, community members, and specialized professional audiences. Over 300 volunteers participate each year in carrying out a variety of activities, including: recovering native plants from development sites; installing plants in educational demonstration landscapes, rain gardens, local trails/parks, and habitat restoration projects; providing technical assistance to homeowners through the Stormwater Stewards program; and providing classroom and field education to over 2,000 citizens of all ages about the role of native and water‐wise plants in protecting groundwater, reducing the impacts from stormwater, and providing wildlife habitat. Audiences include students of all ages; urban, suburban and rural landowners; residents of marine and freshwater shorelines; and highly motivated volunteers seeking to make a difference in their community.
Our organization has successfully mentored 12 previous AmeriCorps members who have gone on to successful careers in ecology, environmental education, sustainable horticulture, agriculture, planning, field biology, parks, and planning, working with government agencies, local and international NGOs, land trusts, and private businesses.
Duties will include:
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Coordinate communication with peer volunteers and peer community members.
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Track program impacts through various evaluation and survey tools. Develop new performance‐measurement systems and assist with analysis of evaluation and data‐collection tools. Maintain careful records of volunteer and client participation. Generate reports as required for multiple partners.
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Help develop outreach to specific neighborhoods to measure impact of concerted effort in targeted watersheds based on water‐quality needs. Manage publicity and outreach for program area, including use of traditional and social media.
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Ensure follow‐up reports are provided to peer community members in a timely fashion. Develop new systems for digitally recording field observations for faster turnaround on reports.
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Help develop advanced training opportunities for 5 cohorts of trained Stormwater Stewards.
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Collaborate with program team and community partners to develop strategies for long‐term program sustainability in terms of funding, staffing, and other structures.
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Follow up with community clients and create a database to track new Green Stormwater installations.
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Improve methods for explaining calculations of rain garden design measurements/elevations to lay audiences.
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Coordinate/assist with field events such plant salvage events, local restoration and trail maintenance/cleanup projects, and installation of rain gardens, permeable pavements, or other LID/GSI projects.
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Maintain and improve communication with and recognition of volunteers and supporters of NPSF.
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Maintain and improve parts of the NPSF website to provide broader access to NPSF’s resources, better communicate activities to the general public, and recruitment of additional volunteers. Convert relevant educational content from traditional delivery methods to more interactive and/or web‐based methods. Assist with development of short videos as necessary.
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Assist with organizing, carrying out, and cleaning up from workshops and events, including an annual meeting/volunteer recognition, and small‐scale educational fundraisers.
Term of Service: The term of service will be from January 18 to July 15, 2016.
Benefits:
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Living stipend of $1,195/month, plus eligible to apply for food stamps through DSHS
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Health insurance
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Post‐service Education Award of $2,865 provided by National Service Trust (upon successful completion of service term commitment and 900 hours of service) for prior qualifying student loans or future education
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Covered by Labor & Industries insurance
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Childcare costs covered, if eligible
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Bus pass if necessary
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Members with student loans can apply to have qualifying loans put into forbearance during service period
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Training in Green Stormwater Infrastructure, volunteer management, four‐season native plant identification, habitat requirements of numerous plant species, and strategies for protecting water resources, among other topics
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Training opportunities in relevant areas of interest to successful applicant
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Availability of work truck or van for projects
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Additional leadership and skill‐building trainings as available
Preferred Background/Interests/Abilities:
We are seeking someone who is committed to working with community members of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to improve the environment locally. Candidates are not required to have experience in environmental education or volunteer management, although that experience will be beneficial.
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Interest in environmental education, water resources, ecological restoration, botany, natural landscaping
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Experience as a community volunteer or working with volunteers; strong interest in recruiting, recognizing and retaining volunteers
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Excellent written and oral communication skills
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Strong attention to detail, especially in writing, creating educational materials, maintaining databases, and following through on assignments
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Computer skills with basic applications in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
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Experience in preparing attractive, effective public‐education materials for print and Web
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Excellent organizational skills and past experience successfully managing and tracking multiple projects simultaneously
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Knowledge of/interest in using electronic media for communication with organizational members, volunteers, members of the public
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Ability to work independently while providing supervisor with regular updates on project status
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Able to do physically demanding work (lifting, using tools, hauling potted plants) in all types of weather
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Evidence of strong work ethic
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B.A./B.S. preferred; some college OK with appropriate work or volunteer experience
Requirements: Successful applicants will serve as a member of AmeriCorps, administered by the Washington Service Corps, and must meet the following requirements:
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Must be between the ages of 18 to 25 at start of service.
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Must be willing to serve a 40‐hour week (flexible hours).
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Must be willing to work many nights and weekends, especially during winter and spring months.
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Must be a U.S. Citizen or National, or Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.
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Must be willing to submit to a background check to work with children and volunteers.
Working Conditions: Our AmeriCorps member will be working in a combination of indoor and outdoor settings throughout the year, including during inclement weather. She or he will be responsible for ensuring that all participants and/or volunteers entrusted to him or her are being well cared for and are entirely safe at all times. She or he will be responsible for ensuring that tools and vehicles entrusted to him or her are well maintained and any problems or potential problems must be reported immediately. Rain gear is provided if necessary. Members must be able to work with office equipment as well as work tools such as shovels, pick‐axes, hand pruners, loppers, and wheelbarrows. Must have a valid Driver’s License and a safe driving record.
To apply, email a letter outlining your interest in this position, including how your background has prepared you for this position and how you hope this experience will enhance your future work or educational plans. Attach a current resume and any other materials (writing samples, narrative evaluations, letters of support, educational or artistic materials, etc.) that might support your
application. Letters of support are welcomed—they should provide evidence of successful past projects or work that required cooperation, clear communication skills, and strong organizational skills. Email your letter to: Erica Guttman, WSU Extension Water Resources/Native Plant Salvage Project, at erica@nativeplantsalvage.org.
Feel free to contact Erica by email with questions prior to your application. All qualified applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We do not discriminate based on sex, race, sexual orientation or other protected classes.
This position must be filled by December 31. We will begin interviewing promising candidates immediately upon receipt of applications.