UNITED COMMUNITIES AMERICORPS

SERVICE TERM: August 28, 2019 – July 31, 2020
(full-time; 11 months – 1700 hours)

ALTERNATE SERVICE TERM (special approval required)
September 26, 2019 – August 31, 2020   (full-time; 11 months – 1700 hours)

POSITION TITLE: Service Learning Program Leader

PROJECT HOST SITE: North Mountain Park Nature Center.  620 North Mountain Avenue, Ashland Oregon.

PROJECT LOCATION

Situated between the Siskiyou Mountains and the Cascade foothills, North Mountain Park is a beautiful 14-acre nature park, encompassing a riparian area, floodplain, several ponds, mature oaks, ponderosa pines and habitats supporting a diversity of local wildlife. The park features a Nature Center, interpretive trails, demonstration gardens and volunteers who provide education to visitors of all ages, creating an atmosphere of community connection. www.NorthMoutainPark.org(link is external)

POSITION SUMMARY

Lead outdoor education programs and support volunteer stewardship in a nature park, rich with plant diversity and wildlife. Assist with the coordination and presentation of Service Learning programs and Outdoor Education field trips for grades K-12. Teach outdoor education curriculum, often connected to on-site, community service projects including, trail maintenance, weed removal, habitat restoration and other projects as needed.

Assist in the training and support of a large volunteer community, creating resources, guides, and program materials to help support volunteers in projects ranging from teaching environmental education lessons to garden and site maintenance. Assist with habitat maintenance and restoration projects in both natural habitats and demonstration flower gardens.  Contribute your WONDER, WISDOM and WORK for an interconnected human and natural community.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (to include, but not limited to)

• Coordinate field trips and communicate with teachers about visits to the park, answering questions, sending reminders and accommodating special circumstances.
• Coordinate and train volunteers to help teach environmental education curriculum and lead hands-on community service projects.
• Lead students in service activities; instruct project tasks, provide guidance for safely using tools, keep students on task and provide connection between the work they are doing and the lesson they are learning that day.
• Lead students in Outdoor Education learning activities; engaging students with a variety of established program topics focusing on local natural and cultural history.
• Assist with the development of a volunteer handbook, orientation material and educational resources for new volunteers.
• Develop volunteer position descriptions.
• Assist with volunteer gardener orientation and direction of work party volunteers.
• Work independently and with volunteer groups in maintaining and improving gardens, wildlife habitat, native plant habitat and restoration projects within the park.
• Locate and eradicate invasive weeds with both mechanical and non-mechanical methods, without the use of herbicides.
• Assist with the maintenance of the park’s Demonstration Gardens; caring for annual and perennial flowers, weeding garden beds, pruning plants, maintaining tools and other garden and greenhouse related tasks
• Complete and submit all necessary UCAmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
• Attend and complete all UCAmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, training’s, team meetings and national service days.
• Wear AmeriCorps apparel and/or appropriate identifiers while performing service or attending official events.

MARGINAL RESPONSIBILITIES (to include, but not limited to)

• Assist with site preparation, equipment inventory and maintenance
• Help assess the effectiveness of educational programs
• Prepare confirmation letters, pre-visit materials, and educational resources for all attending teachers
• Assist with the recruitment and on-boarding of volunteer instructors
• Supporting volunteer staff by listening, fostering relationships, creating community connection and helping to develop a culture of respect and compassion.
• Take photos to document educational programs, work-parties and other service activities
• Suggest improvements to educational and interpretive materials.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Must be self-motivated, outgoing and enjoy working with and teaching adults and youth.
Willingness and physical ability to do manual outdoor work in various capacities.
Have strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills (both writing and speaking in front of groups.)
Requires a somewhat flexible schedule including working some weekend hours.
18 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.
U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree or combination of relevant experience and college-level course work.
Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.
Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through UCAN and/or Project Host Site.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Have not previously served four terms in an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members are only eligible for the equivalent of two full-time education awards in their lifetime. Applicants must disclose if they have ever been removed for cause from any national service program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education or experience in natural resources, natural science or related fields.
Interest and knowledge of watershed health and restoration.
Experience in leading educational programs for youth.
Some computer proficiency with Word and Excel.
Strong communication skills, and ability to communicate enthusiastically with students and members of the public.

SERVICE CONDITIONS

Work may occur in an outdoor environment with exposure to changeable weather conditions.
Some work may also be performed in a typical office environment and may be subject to moderate noise.

PHYSICAL & INTELLECTUAL DEMANDS

Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Must be able to consistently bend, squat, twist, kneel, push, pull, grasp, and lift and carry on both left and right sides
Hand-weeding may require good eyesight and fine-motor skills.
Must be able to stand and walk for up to 8 hours per day

EQUIPMENT USED

Garden tasks require use of pruning shears, loppers, shovels, rakes and trowels.
Maintenance tasks may require the use power tools such as string trimmers, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers
For ease in transporting materials and vegetation, member may drive an electric vehicle on trails and in parking lots.
Standard office equipment will be provided including a desk-top computer (with Windows operating system), multiple-line desk phone, copy machine and printer.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

A personal vehicle or bike can be helpful getting to and from work at the North Mountain Park Nature Center, but is not required.  Rogue Valley Transportation District buses bring commuters between Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland on a regular schedule.

MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE

$13,992 living allowance paid over the 11-month service term (approx. $1,272 monthly, before taxes).
$6,095 education award upon successful completion of the term of service which can be used to repay qualified student loans or for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used. Members that are 55 and older may transfer the award to one child or grandchild.
May be eligible for Loan Forbearance & Interest Accrual Repayment on qualified loans (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).
Child care allowance for those who qualify.
Professional development including unlimited Lynda.com (now LinkedIn) trainings, and free participation in select North Mountain Park community programs.
Networking opportunities with natural resource managers and educators throughout Southern Oregon.

EQUITY & INCLUSION
UCA values diversity and seeks to provide an inclusive space that rejects intolerance. Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. UCA is an AA/EEO employer. UCA provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals and conducts all activities in fully accessible settings.