Diversion and Zero Waste Analyst - Fellowship

ABOUT CARMEL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Carmel Unified School District community produces lifelong learners who are prepared for the challenges of higher education, the workplace, and their role as citizens of an ever-changing global community. 

The Carmel Unified School District contains 8 schools and 2,335 students. The district’s minority enrollment is 40%. Also, 8.2% of students are economically disadvantaged. 

The Carmel Unified School District has been recognized as a Green Ribbon District and a NOAA Ocean Guardian School District, the first in the nation. Recently due to the pandemic and extenuating circumstances, the District’s environmental efforts have been derailed and halted. We are seeking support to get back on track.

POSITION OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTION

This position will work closely with students, staff, parents, custodial crew and administration to reduce waste generated by school lunches and daily operations. 

Objectives include: 

• Increase school community awareness of single-use plastic (SUP) pollution and sustainable alternatives to SUP; 
• Reduce the amount of SUP used on campus, including at the cafeteria, school events, and lunches brought from home 
• Improve disposal on school sites so that recyclable plastics are recycled, food waste is composted, and trash does not end up as litter or contaminate the recycling; 
• Align with efforts related to State laws AB 1826 and SB 1383.to help CUSD comply with these laws and feel good about being part of a larger sustainability effort. 
• Learn about and utilize the best available social science related to behavior change.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Projects may include, but not limited to: 

• Streamline food waste and plastics by analyzing current operations. Initial work will start with the High School and the Middle School, but may expand into other sites of the District; 
• Work with the head of the Nutritional Services to reduce the amount of waste (food and plastic) generated by the school lunches; 
• Work with the Environmental Responsibility Team, the student-led Environmental Clubs and Parent Organizations to assist with education and outreach efforts; 
• Create a waste plan to outline current and future goals and needs; 
• Create a best practices training to better educate custodial crew and other integral staff; 
• Create a signage plan to better educate staff, parents and students
• Implement a composting program for the High School and Middle School; 
• Improve the District recycling program; 
• Research and apply for relevant grants to support implementation plans; 
• Attend the district’s Environmentally Responsibility Team meetings (Quarterly); 
• Work closely with the custodial crew and food services and site administration 
• Work with 6th grade ecoliteracy students.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree preferred 
• Related experience in fields related to sustainability, zero waste, recycling 
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments, make independent judgments and/or decisions, and discern when action at a higher level is required. 
• Confidence and ability to independently ask questions needed to complete tasks. 
• Current and valid driver’s license. 
• Access to a car to drive to various school sites. 
• Must be able to effectively manage multiple projects and maintain an organized and well communicated workflow. 
• Ability to meet current state COVID-19 requirements. 
• Fingerprinting required after hire.

FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE AT CARMEL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The fellow will develop many beneficial skills and have experiences in many areas that can be used in many professional occupations. This position will include experiences in the following areas: 

• Education 
• Education administration 
• School/Community Waste Reduction Laws 
• School Food Services Laws 
• Community Outreach Skills that include working with the following groups 
• School Administration 
• School Custodians 
• School Food Services 
• Local businesses 
• Parent Groups 
• Leadership skills 
• Experience supporting and implementing School/Community Sustainability Plans

CLIMATE CORPS AMERICORPS QUALIFICATIONS

• AmeriCorps fellows must:
• Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
• Have a high school diploma/GED
• Be 17 years old or older
• Pass state criminal and FBI background checks, and a national check in the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Registry
• Test negatively for tuberculosis if working with minors
• Be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing
• Live in the state of California

How to apply:

HOW TO APPLY

To become a Fellow, please submit an online application and resume here: https://www.climatecorps.org/fellow.html  

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until placements are filled. We encourage submitting applications as soon as possible. Upon review, qualifying applicants will be contacted for an initial screening interview.