Montana Garden for Wildlife Coordinator

2022 AmeriCorps Member Description

Member Title: Montana Garden for Wildlife Coordinator
Host Site Supervisor: Naomi Alhadeff, Montana Education Manager, National Wildlife Federation
Program Dates: January 9, through November 17, 2022

Anticipated service schedule: 1700 hours over service term. Roughly 40 hours per week. Evening/weekend hours may be necessary.

Diversity at the National Wildlife Federation:
At the National Wildlife Federation, diversity means understanding and valuing each other’s perspectives. We aspire to be an inclusive multicultural organization bringing together and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity. Read more here.

Position Summary: The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Northern Rockies, Prairies & Pacific Regional Office in Missoula seeks an AmeriCorps Member to assist the Montana Education Manager with promoting environmental stewardship and engaging communities and partners in opportunities that help develop and connect community stewards, support sustainable environmental education, and restore/protect wildlife habitat. The NWF education programs supported by this work include the Garden for Wildlife suite of programs such as Community Wildlife Habitats and Habitat Steward volunteers and many community outreach opportunities.

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation’s mission is to unite Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Since its inception, NWF has united Americans who believe that our air, water, and wildlife habitats are valuable resources to be protected for future generations. We believe a community and region’s sustainable future depends on community members’ direct engagement in stewardship activities.
 

Missoula Certified Wildlife Habitat and Garden for Wildlife:

Support and assist with workshops throughout Montana, both in-person and virtually
Recruit volunteers for a Missoula Habitat Team to expand participation in Missoula and host a Habitat Stewards training
Organize or attend community events to promote NWF (charity nights, farmers markets and festivals, volunteer events, neighborhood council meetings, county fair, Home & Garden Show, downtown parklet)
Provide presentations to and seek input from, potential partners and new participants/volunteers at large community venues, workshops, informal events, virtual events, and individual meetings
Organize community workshops to encourage wildlife-friendly gardening such as; rain barrel workshops, raised bed building, etc.
Facilitate Habitat Stewards volunteer training and support those volunteers
Search and apply for grants to further enhance Missoula’s Community Wildlife Habitat
Promote NWF’s Gardening for Wildlife and certified wildlife habitat opportunities throughout Montana, in cooperation with regional and national staff, and Montana Wildlife Federation
Monitor progress toward articulated goals through certification and other metrics
Promote sustainable gardening and habitat enhancement at schools through NWF’s Schoolyard Habitat certification program
Update and revise service plan at checkpoints to reflect lessons learned and new opportunities, seeking in particular to reach diverse and underserved constituents

Educational Outreach Efforts:

Provide targeted outreach at community events: tabling, sharing resources, recruiting volunteers
Promote NWF programs through social media (blogs, LIVE events, create/post flyers, etc.) especially on Facebook and Instagram
Conceptualize and prepare funding proposals and seek in-kind support to broaden opportunities for participation by low-income and underserved community members (e.g., sponsored certifications and community projects)

Professional Development Opportunities:

Diversity and Equity training and tools
Ability to take courses through NWF University
Engage in self-assessment and performance evaluation with supervisors
Attend and participate in conferences - funding dependent
Certifications in Project WET, WILD, or PLT
Become a part of the huge network of the National Wildlife Federation team

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

Collaborate and support other BSWC members for project events
Participate in field trips, i.e. Clark Fork Coalition, International Wildlife Film Festival, River Honoring Ceremony
Lead and assist with activities at the Montana Natural History Museum, or other planting or cleanup events throughout the community

Minimum Qualifications:

College Degree (B.A./B.S.), Environment, Agriculture, Education, Communications, or Natural Resources preferred
Relevant work or volunteer experience in outreach, providing training, volunteer coordination, gardening/restoration preferred
Sincere and demonstrated interest in environmental sustainability and education
Knowledge of Montana flora and fauna a plus
Comfortable public speaker and presenter, with attention to detail and desire to improve skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Zoom; InDesign, Photoshop, or Canva skills preferred
Strong organizational and communication skills, including managing multiple social media platforms
Strong and effective writing skills, ability to write blog posts and articles
Ability to lift 30lbs, up/downstairs (i.e. carry/set up a folding table, tent canopy, etc.)
Ability to establish and cultivate relationships with potential partners and volunteers
Ability to thrive in a multiple-task environment where it is necessary to prioritize activities daily and occasionally seek support from team members to meet deadlines
Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds, ranging from public officials to neighborhood residents
Member will present self in a professional manner to promote NWF programs, be outgoing and personable
Member must be self-starter, think creatively, while balancing supervisor direction professionally
Member must have a valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle, member will be reimbursed for mileage at the federal volunteer rate ($0.14/mile)
Member cannot attain a second job, unless approved by NWF, and does not impede with normal business hours of NWF events or office hours

AmeriCorps Member Benefits:

An education award of $6,945 upon successful completion of the program
Biweekly living stipend of $800
The city of Missoula, Montana offers FREE bus fare
Food and mileage compensation while traveling
Loan forbearance, for qualified loans
Opportunities to network with and shadow experts in the natural resource profession
Supportive coaching staff invested in your success
Community and connection with other program participants
Free access to mental health counseling, medical advocacy, financial assistance, legal assistance, and life coaching. Health insurance is provided at no cost to you
Professional Training/Certification: ArcGIS-Certificate from U.C. Davis; Accredited Experiential Education-Instructor Certification; Principles of Fundraising, Philanthropy & Grant Writing; Communication, Marketing & Outreach Best Practices; Federal, State, and Private Fundraising Strategies & Good Grant Management Workshop; Standard Operating Procedures in Water Quality & Quantity Collection; The Science & People behind Agriculture & Irrigation; Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring and Education Certification

How to apply:

Interested in doing a year of AmeriCorps service in Missoula, Montana? The National Wildlife Federation's regional educational team is seeking our next 2023 member to lead our Garden for Wildlife (TM) program for Montana. Read the attached member description linked here, and if interested, please email a cover letter and simple resume to Naomi Alhadeff at alhadeffn@nwf.org.