Apply By:
18 June 2019

The Position

The Confluence AmeriCorps program advances environmental justice through innovative partnerships with local organizations in the Portland metropolitan area.  These positions are life changing service opportunities where the Member engages in addressing critical, environmental needs in low-income communities and communities of color.  This position is a dynamic combination of serving with a Project Partner on a dedicated project (80%) and joining a tem of other Confluence AmeriCorps Members for professional and leadership development opportunities (20%).

The Water Resources Technician position is a partnership between Confluence Environmental Center, AmeriCorps Program and Clean Water Services to engage low-income and/or diverse populations in ecological enhancement and education activities. This position will coordinate Tree for All activities within identified Community Engagement Corridors. Tree for All is designed to educate community members, especially youth, about ecological enhancement, and engage them in multiple phases of stream function projects, including plant propagation, site evaluation and preparation, planting, and stewardship activities. Technician responsibilities will include:  identifying and evaluating potential work areas (10%); building partnerships with schools and community groups (20%); conducting outreach to target communities (20%); and leading educational and volunteer activities such as native tree planting (30%).

The Member will participate in Confluence led professional development activities which include: Professional Development Series, completing a Change Agent Project, team meetings, National Service events and other self-directed development opportunities (20%).

TERM OF SERVICE: September 11, 2019 – July 31, 2020 (11 months – 1700 hours)

PROJECT PARTNER: Clean Water Services

Essential Functions

(The essential functions listed below are not intended to reflect all duties that may be assigned to this classification.  The District may augment duties and/or essential functions at its discretion.  Additionally, some incumbents may not perform all Essential Functions.)

  1. Develop and coordinate hands-on education activities with youth.
  2. Provide training and technical support to community groups interested in learning about or implementing ecological enhancement projects.
  3. Identify new community groups with which the District can partner, and expand the number of volunteer events sponsored by the District.
  4. Understand ecological enhancement activities on project sites and communicate them to neighbors and community groups doing field or stewardship activities.
  5. Attend non-profit partners’ community planting events.
  6. Attend trainings supplied by the District and its partners at the suggestion of support team.
  7. Complete and submit all necessary Confluence/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner, abide by program policies and attend and complete all training and service requirements.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to serve outside in all weather conditions and for extended periods of time, and to navigate uneven terrain.
  • Ability to serve proactively, independently, and in an organized manner.
  • Ability to communicate and interact in a professional manner with District staff, project partners, volunteers, contractors, and the general public.
  • Ability to foster long-term partnerships through problem-solving and logistical work.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.  Final candidate will be required to authorize the District to obtain their driver’s license record.
  • Ability to serve as part of a diverse team.
  • Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
  • AmeriCorps Members must be 18 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.
  • U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
  • 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 the Individuals State of Residence, State of Service, and FBI criminal identification systems.

Qualifications

  • Degree in natural resources, botany, or biology.
  • Experience communicating natural resources concepts to students or the public.
  • Experience with ArcGIS and associated GPS data gathering devices.
  • Education and experience in, or willingness to learn about, vegetation management, botany, crop science, horticulture, and Pacific Northwest plant identification.
  • Familiarity with low-income communities and/or communities of color.
  • Experience working with the public, contractors, public works staff, and others.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY:

STEP 1: Apply to Clean Water Services:

STEP 2: Apply to Confluence:

  • Complete AmeriCorps Application
  • Confluence conducts final interviews and offer positions.

Questions about confluence or AmeriCorps?

Sherrie Jackson  | Operations Coordinator  |  503-719-6779 |    sjackson@confluencecenter.org
Confluence Environmental Center, AmeriCorps Program

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any phase of the application process should contact Human Resources at 503.681.3600 or TDD 503.681.3601.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Clean Water Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, age, uniformed service, sexual orientation or disability in the admission or access to the recruitment process or any aspect of employment.