Climate Education Coordinator

CCAC Climate Action Energizers will work closely with CCAC staff, their host site supervisor, community partners, and volunteers to implement a community-driven Climate Action Plan. CCAC Climate Action Energizers will build campus and community partnerships to provide community environmental education and improve at-risk ecosystems for underserved households and communities. 

Position Responsibilities: 

Community Education and Public Awareness: 

• Plan and facilitate environmental education events in underserved communities to provide strategies for reducing energy use and carbon emissions 
• Develop and disseminate outreach materials 
• Assist in the implementation of public awareness campaigns to highlight individual energy costs and conservation strategies, home energy assistance programs, and CCAC opportunities 

Ecosystem Health: 

• Plan and execute a community-driven project that improves a local at-risk ecosystem (e.g. removal of invasive species, tree planting, installation of rain gardens) 
• Explore, address and pilot small scale solutions that are repeatable in the area of promoting and increasing the production of organic food for backyard gardening, community gardening, and urban farming. 

Home Energy Efficiency: 

• Conduct basic home energy assessments in households and/or campus dorms 
• Provide participants with energy conservation strategies and resources that reduce carbon emissions and increase cost savings; and implement low-tech interventions to reduce energy use (e.g. weatherization, LED light bulbs) 
• Serve as a home energy navigator, educating community on government home energy assistance programs 

Green Jobs Training: 

• Participate in specialized green job career development 
• May help increase green career development training resources that generate workforce pathways for the community 

Term of Service: The anticipated start date is in the month of February, and the end date is no later than July 31, 2024. As Minimum-time AmeriCorps members, CCAC Climate Action Energizers must complete 300 hours during the service term. The number of hours per week served will depend on the start date. 

Location: Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, 333 Sherman Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 562-0598 and Stephen Cremin-Endes, Supervisor (203) 444-2303 

Minimum Qualifications:   

• Must be at least 17 years old 
• Must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident 
• Must be located in or willing to relocate to the host site area 
• Must pass a national service criminal history check 
• High school diploma or equivalent is required 
• Valid driver’s license and car, and/or dependable transportation   
• Must have a personal commitment to climate action and environmental stewardship 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Current student attending college in the City of New Haven or Quinnipiac University or the University of Connecticut and an ability to allocate 4 to 6 hours per week working in one of the neighborhoods in the City of New Haven alongside NHS of New Haven staff. 
• Experience and/or interest with community outreach and/or community education 
• Experience or knowledge of environmental education, environmental stewardship, sustainability, or home energy efficiency 

Benefits: 

As Minimum-time AmeriCorps members completing 300 hours of service, Climate AAction Energizers will receive a Segal Education Award of $1,459.26 The Segal Education Award is contingent upon the successful completion of the program and can be used to pay for college or technical school or to pay back qualified student loans. 

Additional benefits include: 

• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for qualifying members 
• Professional development, including green jobs training, support in developing a personal career action plan, and an enhanced professional network  
• ​​Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven after the second week will provide a $250 stipend to help offset travel costs from home to work. ​ 

To Apply: Please submit your application here. For more information, please email CCAC Staff at ccac@compact.org. 

About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. 

About Campus Compact: Campus Compact is a coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to advancing the public purposes of higher education and an intermediary sponsor for an AmeriCorps VISTA program. We support our member institutions—helping them build the knowledge, skills, and capacity needed to enable a just, equitable, and sustainable future. 

Campus Compact does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), or any other basis prohibited by law.