POSITION DESCRIPTION

Confluence Americorps program

The Confluence AmeriCorps program advances environmental equity through innovative partnerships with local organizations in the Portland metropolitan area. These positions are life changing service opportunities where the Member addresses critical, environmental needs in low-income communities and communities of color.  This position is a dynamic combination between serving a community on a dedicated project (80%) and joining a cohort of Members to engage in professional and leadership development activities (20%). www.confluencecenter.org

Equity & inclusion

Confluence does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parents/guardians with children, or veteran status. Confluence is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our Members and staff with ongoing equity trainings and career development opportunities. Confluence, like many environmental programs, is engaged in predominantly white spaces, and in an effort to decolonize dominant structures of oppression, we encourage people of color to apply.

Confluence provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Applicants with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation and/or alternative formats at any point in the employment process.

Dates of Service

March 3, 2020 – August 20, 2020 (5 ½ months – 900 hours)

Position Title

Equity Education Specialist

Project PARTNER

Hoyt Arboretum Friends

https://www.hoytarboretum.org/ 

Position Summary

Hoyt Arboretum is Portland’s museum of living trees. Hoyt Arboretum relies on the support of Hoyt Arboretum Friends (HAF), a membership-based, nonprofit organization working in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. Our student field trip program hosts 4,000 youth from all over the Portland region each year.

In partnership with the Confluence Environmental Center, the AmeriCorps Member will serve in the Hoyt Arboretum Friends youth education program. The Member will lead environmental education field trips for elementary aged youth (30%). The Member will conduct outreach and form new partnerships in underserved communities to determine needs and barriers to education programs at Hoyt Arboretum (20%). They will create new education materials to better serve our youth and for the youth groups in new formed partnerships (20%). The Member will also assist and participate in general education program activities and recording data (10%).

The Member will participate in Confluence led leadership development activities which include:  Leadership Development Program, team meetings, National Service events and other self-directed development opportunities (20%).

Essential Functions (to include, but not limited to):

• Lead environmental education activities for elementary aged students from Title-1 schools.
• Develop meaningful partnerships between Hoyt Arboretum’s education program and marginalized communities.
• Develop outdoor science curriculum for multi-lingual and multi-cultural youth groups on a variety of topics.
• Collaborate with partners to strategize about how to meet the needs of diverse communities through environmental education.
• Assist with general education program activities such as educational displays and family events.
• Complete and submit all necessary paperwork and reports in a timely manner; abide by program policies; attend and complete all training and service requirements.

Position Requirements

• Experience as a youth educator
• Ability to create accessible outdoor education curriculum for diverse populations of youth.
• Experience serving with diverse populations including building relationships with culturally specific organizations.
• Comfortable communicating with populations of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and languages.
• Ability to guide and direct volunteers in leading science education field trips.
• Ability and willingness to serve outdoors.
• Willingness/openness to learn about and discuss racial equity and social justice issues.
• Ability to serve as part of a diverse team.
• Proficiency with computer programs – like Office Suite, Google Drive, etc.
• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
• AmeriCorps Members must be: 18 years of age or older; S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident; able to commit to the full term of service; able to successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to speak Spanish.
• Background in cultural competency.
• Familiarity with marginalized communities and/or communities of color.
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest flora and fauna is helpful but not required.

Member Benefits Include

• $6,996 living allowance paid over the 5 ½ -month term of service (approx. $1,272 monthly, before taxes).
• $3,097 education award (qualified student loans and/or education expenses)
• Loan Forbearance
• Health Care Insurance
• Child Care Reimbursement
• $100 Training Fund
• Professional Leadership Certificate, Trainings and Networking opportunities.
• May be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Washington Park parking pass for use at work or Trimet Pass.

Project Location & Transportation Information

• 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland, OR 97221
• Accessible by Trimet

How to apply