AmeriCorps Engagement & Education Specialist - Resilience Corps NC

This position is with Keep Charlotte Beautiful, based in Charlotte NC. 

Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB) inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment.

This 2024-2025 AmeriCorps position will have a start date of September 4th 2024 and an end date of July 31st 2025. Deadline to apply is June 14th 2024, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Don't delay in applying!

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents -  Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, and Birth Certificate or US Passport/US Permanent Resident Card.** If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment may be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

For the 2024-2025 service year, Resilience Corps NC operates a 11 month 1700-hour service position that offers a living stipend of $31,000, health insurance reimbursement for premiums purchased on the ACA Healthcare Exchange, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (individual trainings, enrollment in NC Environmental Education Certificate Program, and conferences in conjunction with VolunteerNC). Members are also eligible to sign up for SNAP benefits. Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $7,395 from the National Service Trust.

CTNC is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference or familial status.

CTNC seeks to engage applicants from underrepresented communities, particularly of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, and Native American background, in conservation careers. Connecting more diverse applicants to an employment pathway has led to greater equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in conservation.

Purpose of the Position

The purpose of this AmeriCorps position is to expand the scope and capacity of Keep Charlotte Beautiful to conduct effective volunteer outreach and provide environmental education and engagement within Charlotte, with an emphasis on underserved, low-income, and non-traditional communities.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

• Administer KCB’s Adopt-a-City Street (AACS) program which encourages individuals, businesses and groups to adopt 1-mile or greater street sections to supplement litter remediation efforts for 2,800+ miles of city-maintained streets. 
• Administer KCB’s Adopt-a-Bus-Stop (AABS) program which encourages individuals and community organizations to pick up litter around bus stops at least twice a month.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Processing AACS and AABS applications, contract administration and management of the online street adoption platform in collaboration with the City’s Innovation and Technology division
  • Some outreach with KCB Committee, residents, groups, businesses and organizations to promote and increase participation in the AACS and AABS programs
  • Volunteer support and inventory management to provide trash & recycle bags, gloves, safety vests, litter sticks and other supplies
  • Track and report on participant engagement, ongoing compliance with program requirements and success metrics
• With managerial oversite, work with Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Schools to expand and implement educational programming within schools.
• Work with KCB Board to plan and implement cleanups throughout the year, including route planning and day-of volunteer coordination.
• Develop and promote partnership and collaboration with local organizations.
• Create content for KCB’s social media presence (particularly Instagram and twitter) in collaboration with HNS communications staff.
• Assist with planning and implementing community outreach through America Recycles Day and Bee City events and activities.
• Provide as needed support to complementary programs and departments including Neighborhood Leadership Awards, Neighborhood Board Retreats (programs), Solid Waste Services, Sustainability (departments) and others as required and within the context of the City’s Mission and Vision to improve the Quality of Life in Charlotte’s neighborhoods.
• With support from staff, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and AmeriCorps alumni, complete 2024-2025 citywide litter study.
• Assist with other projects as they arise.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings and events as needed. 

Communication:

• Practice inclusive and thoughtful behavior in building rapport with program participants, site stakeholders and program staff.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with program staff, and site personnel.
• Report data in online systems in a timely and accurate manner.

Program Requirements:

• Demonstrate regular, timely attendance and adherence to hours as scheduled.
• Commit to service for the service term of 11 months, serving the minimum number of 1700 hours.
• Participate in all required AmeriCorps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and travel as necessary. Community Stewardship Coordinators will receive training on best practices for community engagement, group facilitation, and communicating about climate change with a focus on pursuing climate justice.
• Actively participate in service projects and commemorating days such as 9/11 Day of Service (as applicable). These may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Qualifications 

• Experience with recruiting and managing volunteers a plus
• Relationship building skills
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment
• Effective oral and written communication skills 
• Extroverted personality a plus
• Ability to work with various departments and foster teamwork
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and minimal instruction
• Skills in database management and record keeping
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to confidently present information to large, diverse groups of varying ages
• Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Gather and analyze information skillfully
• Exhibit resourcefulness and initiative in dealing with daily assumptions
• Must have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent by your start date.
• Must be either a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Must pass mandatory National Service Criminal History Checks.
• Speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Experience with professional computer skills and confidence using computers. Comfort and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), completing internet searches, and navigating resources online, completing data entry, using e-mail regularly including sending attachments, using databases and software, using videoconferencing software, and attending training online.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a driving record check. Access to a personal vehicle for transportation.
• Excellent communication & customer service skills

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

• Some working hours are primarily based in an office setting and require sitting, standing, and operating a computer and telephone. Some working hours outside, potentially in various weather conditions.
• The ideal applicant will have the ability to carry objects exceeding 25 pounds in weight, travel along sidewalks for at least 2 miles in moderate weather, and work at a computer for up to 8 hours at a time.

Preferred Schedule

The AmeriCorps member will work a normal 40-hour work week with opportunities for additional hours on evenings and weekends. Members are expected to work in the office at least three days a week and may work either remotely or in the office the remaining two days.