Conservation and Outreach AmeriCorps Coordinator - Resilience Corps NC

This position is with the North Carolina Zoo based in Asheboro, NC. North Carolina Zoo’s mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspire people to join in conserving the natural world. North Carolina Zoo is dedicated to local and global wildlife conservation, educating future generations, and ensuring the best possible care and wellness for the animals under its care.
 

**NOTICE** This position is subject to continued federal and state funding, as AmeriCorps is under a 30% reduction in member slots for the 2024-2025 service year. We anticipate that by mid-May 2024 we will know which positions (if not all) will be available to start on our normal service year timeline. All applicants will be notified if this position is not funded.**NOTICE**

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

North Carolina Zoo protects more than 2,300 acres of undeveloped land on its main property and off-site nature preserves for conservation, research, education, and recreation. The Zoo’s goals are to appropriately manage these natural areas and increase public access to them by expanding hiking trails and educational opportunities on them, particularly for marginalized communities. This position will assist with these goals by developing community partnerships and providing environmental education programs for these groups, such as guided nature hikes, citizen science events, and canoe trips. This position will expand recreational opportunities by working with staff and volunteer trail crews to maintain existing hiking trails and build new trails. This position will also participate in citizen science projects and facilitate staff and community engagement with them. In addition, this position will assist with local conservation and research projects with Zoo staff and other local biologists to protect flora and fauna in central North Carolina.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Many of the responsibilities for this position are flexible, and the ideal candidate will bring their own interests and skills to this position to develop partnerships and programs that align with them.

Position responsibilities include

• (1) developing community partnerships and providing environmental education programs for these groups in the Zoo’s natural areas, such as guided nature hikes, citizen science events, and canoe trips. This position will work with existing partners, including local after-school programs and schools, to provide programs on requested topics, and will also develop new partnerships and programs within the member’s topics of interest.
• (2) This position will expand recreational opportunities by working with staff and volunteer trail crews to maintain 8 miles of existing hiking trails and build new trails. This member will join twice-monthly staff trail workdays and lead occasional volunteer trail crews when interested groups are available. Trail work is performed by using hand tools to remove organic matter from the trail, shape the trail, repair damage from erosion, trim vegetation, remove fallen limbs, and install trail markers.
• (3) This position will also participate in citizen science projects and organize events for them. This includes serving as the Zoo’s representative on the Science Across NC partnership and organizing sponsored events, such as the NC Bird Count and NC Bioblitz. This position will also manage other longer-term citizen science projects and facilitate staff and community engagement with them. The Zoo currently participates in NestWatch and the NC Bird Atlas and this position is encouraged to identify other projects of interest for participation. (4) This position will also assist with local conservation and research projects with Zoo staff and other local biologists. This may include bird point counts, small mammal trapping, camera trapping, coverboard surveys, amphibian head-starting, plant surveys, and habitat management activities.

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 

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, environmental education, or related field is required.
• Prior field experience and/or experience in environmental education is preferred.
• Qualified candidates must possess excellent oral and written skills,
• Ability to work effectively with a team and independently, and an ability to follow instructions and protocols. Many aspects of this position are flexible, and the ideal candidate will be excited to bring their own interests and skills to this position in ways that are mutually beneficial.
• Must be 18 years of age or older prior to your start date.
• 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

• Applicants should be able to hike at least three miles on uneven terrain and slopes,
• Lift up to 25 lbs, use tools to conduct trail maintenance tasks, and 
• Be comfortable working outdoors year-round in all types of weather.

Preferred Schedule

Some weekend work (2-3 weekends per month) and early morning and evening hours will be required, but much of the work will be completed during normal business hours. Although the working schedule may vary weekly, working hours should not exceed 40 hours per week.