Pierce Conservation District and the Northwest Leadership Foundation are looking for an AmeriCorps member to serve as a Pierce Conservation District Intern from September 2015 through July 2016.

 

 

ROLE OVERVIEW

 

The Pierce Conservation District Intern will have several areas of focus and project management responsibilities.  Intern will work most closely with the Water Quality Monitoring program in the collection, distribution and upkeep of water quality kits, and conduct data review on volunteer collected water quality metrics.  As directed, Intern will provide program support and capacity to full-time professional staff.  40 hours per week, with some weekends and evenings.

 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Project Management:

  • Lead an outreach program to landowners in assigned watersheds to increase tree canopy and native plant retention/planting
  • Lead restoration events and projects as assigned
  • Lead Natural Resource Workshops with the community as assigned

 

  • Lead K-12 stormwater best management practices (BMP) presentations with follow-up artwork contests as assigned
  • Lead the design and development of the district’s electronic newsletter to communicate with stakeholders, landowners, partners and volunteers about natural resource conservation volunteer events, workshops and other opportunities
  • Develop and refine PowerPoint presentations to have on-hand for various speaking/outreach opportunities about the district’s work
  • Develop a district internship program and refine the district’s volunteer management program

 

  • Lead Neighborhood Fruit Rescue program in designated neighborhood, including recruiting and managing volunteers, scouting fruit trees, and working with and educating homeowners.

 

  • Coordinate and lead Harvest Pierce County outreach efforts in underserved neighborhoods
  • Lead outreach events and coordination as requested

 

 

Project Support/Capacity Building:           

  • Water quality kit cleaning, pick-up, and drop-off to ensure volunteers can monitor the health of our local streams as needed
  • Collect water quality samples for special projects and use scientific meters to measure specific parameters
  • Enter volunteer collected water quality data into district database for staff to use in making programmatic and management decisions
  • Outreach events – booths, displays, etc. to share what the district does with the public and recruit volunteers to upcoming events and ongoing programs
  • Develop display materials and handouts as requested
  • Assist with Healthy Homes/Healthy Neighborhoods program
  • Assist with water quality and habitat improvement events (prep, set up, day of, etc.)
  • Conduct (or assist with) re-vegetation monitoring
  • Assist with the district’s Annual Native Plant Sale management
  • Support different educational opportunities such as the Children’s Water Festival, Chum Festival, Envirothon and other educational experiences as requested
  • Support community gardens to increase their capacity through community skills and resources
  • Support efforts of the Just and Health Food Community of Interest as needed
  • Write Tahoma View newsletter articles as assigned

 

Professional Development:

  • Research and attend trainings to further personal professional development in the field of Member’s choosing
  • Assist with small grant writing
  • Attend meetings as a representative of the district and network with environmental community
  • Other tasks to be assigned based on Member’s interest

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

 

REQUIRED:

  • Must have high school diploma or GED
  • Ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities
  • Excellent organization, including event and meeting planning and facilitation, data tracking, and report writing
  • Self-starter, ability to work well independently
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Comfortable talking with strangers and groups
  • Ability to understand and communicate a variety of natural resource topics
  • Knowledge of and passion for environmental issues
  • Strong attention to detail and excellent word, excel, access and PowerPoint skills
  • Availability for evenings and weekends
  • Vehicle and valid driver’s license

 

PREFERRED:

  • College degree
  • Knowledge of Pierce County area and community
  • Experience in data collection and analysis

 

COMPENSATION:

  • Monthly stipend of $1,150 per month
  • Education award of $5,730 upon completion of service
  • Student loan deferment
  • Health coverage
  • Leadership, project management, and natural resource training

 

HOW TO APPLY

  1. Send resume and cover letter to Melissa Buckingham, MelissaB@piercecountycd.org
  2. Apply via the AmeriCorps website at http://northwestleadership.org/urban-leaders-in-training/