Nature Rock's Diversity and Inclusion Assistant

Nature Rock's Diversity and Inclusion Assistant

ASHEBORO, NC

$25,500 ‒ $30,000

Apply online at https://americorps.hiringthing.com/job/590847/nature-rock-s-nature-rocks-diversity-and-inclusion-assistant

The North Carolina Zoo’s mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world. The AmeriCorps member will be helping us achieve our mission through our conservation and education initiatives. 

The North Carolina Zoo is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. As a state agency it is our job to serve all the citizens of NC both those that are able to visit the Zoo but also, those who are not for a variety of reasons. The AmeriCorps members will help us reach new audiences (both in-person and virtually) by building bridges between our environmental education programs and the communities that are under-resourced in order to build a more resilient, accessible and diverse connection for these communities to the outdoors (Nature Rocks mission).

This 2023-2024 AmeriCorps position will have a start date (for new full-time 11 month members) of September 5th, 2023 (or soon thereafter), and an end date of July 31st 2024 (or 11 months after start date). 

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents - Resume & Cover Letter. 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 the2023-2024 service year, Resilience Corps NC offers a living stipend that will range from $25,500 to $30,000 for 11 months (this is taxable and the final amount is dependent on federal funding granted by AmeriCorps in July, and candidates/applicants will be notified of that amount), health insurance reimbursement for premiums, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (some examples are three AmeriCorps cohort trainings that cover project management to strengths assessments, individual self-directed trainings, enrollment in NC Environmental Education Certificate Program, and conferences in conjunction with Volunteer NC). Members are also eligible to signup for SNAP benefits. Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $6,895 (taxable in the year used, not the year awarded) from the National Service Trust. 

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

ResilienceCorps NC 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 these positions is to help the North Carolina Zoo expand our climate education and community outreach into local underserved communities both in-person and virtually. The AmeriCorps member will find out what these communities need, their environmental concerns, and wants in the way of climate-focused education (including in-person and virtual opportunities to connect) and create a new outreach program that focuses on what we learn from the community needs assessment. This position will create at least three educational opportunities for each partner group that aligns with what was found in the focus groups/ surveys. Some of these opportunities will be designed to align with the Zoo conservation efforts when possible. This position will also create at least three opportunities designed for the target population to experience recreational opportunities in natural areas (e.g., hiking, birding, camping, paddling). 

In addition, they will help to reach new (DEAI audiences) and existing audiences through virtual programming. CES section of the Zoo maintains our own Facebook Group Adventures in EdZOOcation. This member will make more inclusive content (e.g., videos, activities, graphics) for these weekly virtual offerings as well as host quarterly live programming targeting our underserved communities. This member will also use these platforms to help further strengthen the connection with our Nature Rock’s communities.

In return the AmeriCorps members will learn more about programming needs in relation to DEAI, gaining valuable evaluation/assessment skills, learning to work with local partners, and becoming strong interpreter/educators.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

• Community Outreach – These positions will reach out to targeted underserved communities to learn more about their needs, concerns, and wants in relation to climate education and spending time in nature. This will be done through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. As part of this they will better understand the Nature Rock’s model and how it might need to be modified for these new communities the AmeriCorps member would assist with all Nature Rock’s programs throughout the year of their service.
• They will also learn which organizations are already working in these areas and develop partnerships with them, so we can work together to accomplish our goals. 
• Environmental Education – The AmeriCorps members will then design programs and outreach materials for these communities. They will create and host at minimum 6 environmental education/outreach programs for each of the identified communities each year and work with both the community and partner organizations to build a foundation for the future of the program including the afterschool clubs that will grow to additional communities. 
• Nature Rock’s program management – To better understand the Nature Rock’s model and how it might need to be modified for these new communities the AmeriCorps members would assist with all Nature Rock’s programs throughout the year of their service.
• Virtual Programming – The AmeriCorps members will reach new (DEAI audiences) and existing audiences through virtual programming. CES section of the Zoo maintains our own Facebook Group Adventures in EdZOOcation. These members will make more inclusive content (e.g., videos, activities, graphics) for these weekly virtual offerings as well as host quarterly live programming targeting our underserved communities. These members will also use these platforms to help further strengthen the connection with our Nature Rock’s communities.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor degree in education, environmental studies, communications, natural sciences, or early childhood education is preferred Or high school diploma/GED and at least three years of education experience working with a variety of audiences in a role such as: camp counselor, schoolteacher, or non-formal educator (e.g. Zoo, Aquarium, Museum, Park, or Nature Center).
• Effective oral and written communication skills are required. Spanish language is preferred but not required for the position.

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

Participants should be able to move around in a variety of different terrains, be able and willing to move 25 lbs., and be able and willing to actively participate in outdoor environmental education activities and programs in all weather conditions. 

Participants should have experience with a combination of digital still cameras, digital video cameras, iPhones, iPads, microphones, and/or video editing software, and virtual programming techniques

 Preferred Schedule

 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday including holidays. Weekends will be scheduled periodically with appropriate weekdays off to maintain 38 hours a week. Some after hours and evenings will be scheduled with plenty of advance notice and appropriate time off to compensate for the hours worked.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a bridge builder, a force multiplier, a way to connect individuals and organizations to support their communities in tackling challenges. AmeriCorps programs across the country address a variety of community needs like education, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, disaster response, and veteran & military family services.

What does Resilience Corps NC do?

CTNC’s AmeriCorps program, Resilience Corps NC, seeks to address our state’s changing climate by expanding access to environmental education, increasing eco-literacy, promoting disaster resiliency, and utilizing communities to identify and address climate-related issues.

Who should apply for a position with Resilience Corps NC?

Our program is a great opportunity for:

-Recent graduates looking to build experience and a strong professional network

-Established professionals seeking a career change

-Passionate conservationists wanting to give back to their community

What benefits do Resilience Corps members receive?

-Living stipend, paid twice monthly

-Education award (upon completion of service)

-Healthcare premium reimbursement

-Childcare assistance

-SNAP eligibility