Stormwater Education Coordinator - Resilience Corps NC

This position is with the Sound Rivers based in Washington, North Carolina. 

Founded in 1981, Sound Rivers’ mission is to monitor, protect, and enhance the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse Rivers and watersheds while promoting environmental justice; it is the only non-profit organization focused on this goal. 

**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

Sound Rivers campus stormwater initiative is designed to work with K-12 schools, community colleges, universities and local governments to determine stormwater problems, complete site assessments, and develop a plan of recommendations for installation of green stormwater infrastructure as both a retrofit and for future development on public spaces. To date, we have completed 27 campus stormwater assessments and implemented 28 projects across the region. The program fosters relationships with each school or local government staff to problem-solve together. As projects are designed and implemented, Sound Rivers works with partners to identify educational and learning goals and actions.

The Stormwater Education Coordinator will direct education and outreach programming, within the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds, to increase public awareness of the importance of green stormwater infrastructure and how responsible stormwater management can improve resilience to climate change.  In addition, the position will increase environmental literacy and connection to the outdoors for students at participating campuses.  The member will work to ensure that educational events are accessible and relevant for low-income and minority community members, and will work with partners to translate all education and outreach materials into Spanish. 

The position will develop, customize and deliver interactive lessons/activities regarding stormwater, focusing on green stormwater infrastructure, to K-12 students, college students and adults. The Coordinator will organize and execute volunteer events that include wetland maintenance days and work with our Litter Free Rivers program to organize trash trap clean outs and other cleanup events. In addition, the member will support Sound Rivers online stormwater education content, working closely with Sound Rivers Communications Director. 

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Stormwater Education: The members will create lesson plans, educational videos and other outreach materials including blogs, newsletter articles, flyers, brochures, social media campaigns, and outreach programs to participating school partners. The member will also provide outreach and education at selected events that will include fun, hands-on environmental education activities like games, indoor and outdoor demonstrations and walking tours of wetlands, rain gardens and other stormwater control measures. 

Volunteer program development: The member will assist in recruiting, training, and leading volunteers during GSI implementation, maintenance and education activities, as well as keeping record of relevant metrics including engagement numbers and amount of work completed or litter collected. The member will also assist in reflection and adaptation of volunteer events to better engage volunteers and adapt our initiatives. 

GSI Maintenance: The service member will support ongoing maintenance of constructed SCMs partner campuses that include coordinating site visits, field inspections, planting/invasive plant removal, sign repair/installation, and debris/litter collection in both Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds, under the direction of Sound Rivers Program Director.

Qualifications 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, as the member will be responsible for communicating with partners and will provide outreach and education to people from various backgrounds and ages. 
• A valid driver’s license and a vehicle are also required (the member will be reimbursed for their travel to and from educational outreach events.) 
• Bachelor of Sciences or Bachelor of Education or equivalent experience in environmental or related fields, environmental education experience or degree in environmental science, biology, or social science is preferred. Basic knowledge of watersheds and stormwater is helpful but can be learned on the job- it is more important to have prior skills/experience conducting education and volunteer outreach. 
• Other desired experience includes a passion for and knowledge of environmental and justice issues affecting eastern North Carolina. multilingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience is desired.
• The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and creative, as they may develop new educational outreach lessons and materials if desired, as well as using existing ones.

• 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

The physical demands of this position are moderate. Participants should be walk and hike in a variety of terrains, and be able and willing to lift 25 lbs and actively participate in outdoor environmental education events in any weather. The member must have a reliable personal vehicle to drive to member communities for education events.

In addition, the member should have the 

• Ability to dig holes with a shovel and scoop mulch with a pitchfork for demonstration at volunteer wetland planting events 
• Ability to reach to the ground to demonstrate litter pick-up with volunteers 
• Ability to load or unload a truck with supplies for volunteer events 
• Ability to wade into small streams and navigate uneven ground
• Ability to work in all climate conditions
• 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

Preferred Schedule

The typical work will be 40 hours / Monday-Friday mainly during standard 9-5 business hours. Some evening and weekend work is likely to support events (tabling, cleanup days, etc). On weeks were night and weekend work occur, the work week may be adjusted accordingly. The schedule is flexible with supervisor approval.