Environmental Education Environmental Educator AmeriCorps Positions (2)

Please note that there are two service members half-term positions available.

Purpose: AmeriCorps members in this program will be responsible for healthier streams, a more robust circular economy for community resources, a more engaged public acting as conservationists for ecosystems, increased direct service through volunteerism, and progress in their own workforce pathway. Through restoring and conserving the environment, building the next generation of leaders, helping small communities do big things, and building capacity, this member will contribute to a better quality of life for Ohioans.

Eligibility: 

• An AmeriCorps participant must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Be a citizen, national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. (45 CFR 2522.200)
• AmeriCorps members must not be listed on the National Sex Offender Registry or have a conviction of murder on their criminal records. Some host sites may have additional criminal history requirements.
• Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps does not test for substance use as part of the application or enrollment process. However, some host sites may have additional drug testing requirements as part of their onboarding, after a member is selected.
• AmeriCorps Members are NOT employees.

Essential Functions of this AmeriCorps Position:

Promote environmental stewardship through youth programming:

• With staff, host site supervisors and other AmeriCorps members, plan and implement environmental education day camps, day-long activities and/or after-school activities.
• Create and teach lessons for local teachers in the classroom, schoolyards, and field trips.
• Support aligned school enrichment activities in partnership with schools and other organizations, including Live Healthy Kids programming, science fairs, and joint Solid Waste Districts.
• Communicate with teachers and develop new educator contacts.
• Mentor high school teams in our YCAT Team, who lead environmental action projects of their choice, or high school interns.
• Document program activities and create media outreach materials.

Promote environmental stewardship through adult and community programming:

• With staff, host site supervisors and other AmeriCorps members, plan and implement community environmental education, including library programs, day-long activities and/or citizen-science events.
• Provide nature and outdoor programs to behavioral healthcare partners.
• Assist with our fall Appalachian Green Teachers Conference and other educator trainings.
• Organize citizen science engagement, such as organizing public BioBlitz events with expert guests and coordinating Project Nestwatch volunteers.
• Support and promote ecotourism events, namely our Birds in the Hills festival and other events put on by the Rural Action social enterprise, Appalachian Understories.
• Document program activities and create media outreach materials
• Reliably attend in-person service that supports education, conservation and restoration, food and resource access and distribution, heritage and resource-based tourism, and public lands access, in accordance with ADA requirements.
• Support other Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps members and their programs.
• Participate in training and conferences as necessary to increase knowledge and gain career networking opportunities. This position requires a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 20% of service in training hours to be eligible for the Segal Education at the end of successfully-completed terms. All training hours must be logged between the official start and end date. Examples of training members can participate in include: Red Cross CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, Project Wet & Wild, LeaderCorps, & Public Speaking.
• Complete monthly activity reports, narrative reports (OnCorps Great Stories), required timesheets and periodic reports through the OnCorps online system and Google Drive.
• Complete Midterm and End of Term Evaluations and paperwork.
• Attend required AORC and Rural Action meetings and events.

Other Duties & Responsibilities of AmeriCorps Member:

• Assist in planning, delivering, and continually improving a set of educational resources for classrooms and at special events. Help plan and run day camps over the summer. Provide production assistance for special events, including the Birds in the Hills festival.
• The Environmental Education members will serve in varying capacities with Rural Action’s Environmental Education Program Director and Manager to plan and implement environmental education activities in schools, summer camps, libraries and at community events. Members collaborate closely as a team to plan, staff and evaluate lessons, but also take individual leadership on specific lessons and projects. School-based EE programs are closely tied to state academic standards.
• Promote watershed rehabilitation and water quality improvement through education and outreach activities including summer camps, library programs, watershed tours, community presentations, displays at area events and documentation of activities.
• Recruit and organize volunteers for involvement in local conservation, education, and citizen science projects.
• Organize research and process inventory data.
• Assist with fundraising designed to raise funds for activities such as day camps, library programs, and other project specific activities related to member tasks. These efforts will not contribute to general operating costs for the organization or host sites.
• Be committed to reflecting on your educational practices, designing inquiry-based and experiential programs, teaching in a culturally responsive way, and growing your own ecological understandings.
• Produce media outreach materials for community awareness and sense of place.
• Complete in person orientation. Members will learn about AmeriCorps benefits, prohibited & unallowable activities, AORC member expectations, training opportunities, regional history & culture, and various personal & professional development opportunities available to them throughout their term.

Skills & Qualifications: This position requires the ability to serve both independently and in a team setting. Excellent organizational and communication skills, the ability to operate under deadline pressure and the ability to handle multiple tasks are vital to success in this position. Knowledge of MS Office software packages and general computer skills are required with experience in database management preferred. AmeriCorps members must possess the ability to perform outdoors in adverse weather conditions (heat, cold, insects, etc.), be able to carry 40 pounds, and to hike over rough terrain. Preferred, but not required, to have own transportation and valid driver’s license. Members must be able to get to their various service sites. The ability to engage with minors and students is essential. Experience with or a strong interest in the natural world, place based education, and/or environmental education is preferred. Prior experience working with minors and teaching are helpful.

Schedule: Usual hours of service will be M-F during regular office hours of 8:00-5:00pm. The ability to periodically serve flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, is needed. Hours may fluctuate, increase or decrease, in consideration of seasonal changes such as inclement weather or other extended activities.

Location(s): 19627 Walnut St., Trimble, OH, 45782, with program delivery typically occurring within a 20 mile radius

AORC Address: 9030 Hocking Hills Dr. The Plains, OH 45780

Additional Information: Personal transportation is required. The Environmental Education office is accessible to members of the community with disabilities.  

Rural Action and Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps and Rural Action will adhere to all regulations concerning non-discrimination and equal opportunity regulations as outlined in federal and state law. Rural Action, Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps makes this program available to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, orientation, disability, or political affiliation.