Working Lands Climate Corps – EcoForesters

Length: 1700 Hour AmeriCorps Term of Service; 47 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk

Service Site: 38 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, NC 28803

Compensation: $600/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $100/week additional benefit ($700/week, pre-tax)

AmeriCorps Award: Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $6,895 (pre-tax).

Start Date: Desired – Mid-September through mid-October 2024

Application Due Date: Preference given to applicants that submit application by Aug. 23rd

Title of Position: Working Lands Climate Corps Member

Position Details

Conservation Corps North Carolina, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to expand institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. CCNC in partnership with EcoForesters will host a Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) Member. The WLCC will train the next generation of conservation leaders for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry. The WLCC is a part of the American Climate Corps (ACC), and service members will receive technical skills training, education awards, and career pathway opportunities. WLCC members will receive on-the-ground experience with partners and organizations who conduct programming to support the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry practices and systems.

This WLCC Member will serve EcoForesters’ mission of restoration and conservation of Appalachian forests by helping outreach, communication and project management staff. This position will help align outreach and communication strategies with ongoing grant funded projects, while helping improve landowner outreach initiatives.

Position Responsibilities will include:

· Outreach planning and analysis - Authentic engagement with landowners is needed to foster relationships and encourage active stewardship of their forests. This requires nuanced communication and community focused planning. This position will coordinate outreach events, participate in the planning and implementation of the event, and help consider next steps that build on that engagement.

· Social media coordination - Using mostly Instagram and Facebook, EcoForesters actively engages followers in positive communications and relevant forestry information. This sharing of information is coordinated with forestry staff and important to moving our social engagement goals forward. This position will be responsible for creating content, taking photos (often with our field crews) and working with the communication team to strategically plan posts and messaging.

· Assist with tabling and workshops - Workshops are the best way to reach multiple landowners and share information. The coordination of workshops begins 2-3 months before and are specific to the community they are held in. This position will work with the Outreach team in planning and tabling at the events. This is a great opportunity to learn about landowner engagement and how EcoForesters' programming is rising to meet forestry challenges.

· Assist with data collection and analysis - Landowner engagement is rarely one and done and instead made up of many steps. Each landowner learns at their own pace and is guided by their individual values and financial ability. Proper engagement will require follow-up and sharing information with individuals in the manner most effective to them. This position will help EcoForesters input and organize data to make it more easily utilized.

· Assist with grant funded project reporting and goals - EcoForesters has two federally funded projects that cover a 12-county area. One (Landscape Scale Restoration project) will be winding down in 2025, requiring final analysis and reporting. This position will learn more about grant funded project management and assist with final reporting.

Minimum Requirements:

· Must be able to serve a full-time schedule for the duration of the term.

· Be at least 17 years old at the start of service.

· Have a high school diploma or equivalent or agree to obtain a high school diploma prior to using the earned education award.

· Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; and

· Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria.

Preferred Qualifications

· Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Google Suite

· Organized and proficient with data management

· Able to work independently with proper training, direction and support

· Familiar with social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc)

· Comfortable in outreach settings

· Comfortable joining crew in the field for outreach related activities

Benefits:

· Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful program completion. Value of education award is $6,895(pre-tax).

· AmeriCorps Living Stipend: $600/week (pre-tax)

· Additional Benefit: $100/week (pre-tax)

· Healthcare coverage

· Childcare coverage (if qualified)

· Student loan forbearance and interest payments (if qualified)

· $1,500 in professional development and training funds for use during the term of service.

· $800 in supplies for use during the term of service (must be returned at end of position)

· Ability to obtain at least one recognized credential or certification during term of service.

· On-the-job training and development opportunities.

· Inclusion in staff fun days and extracurricular activities

How to Apply

Apply on-line at https://corpsnc.org/crew-positions In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Questions

Please contact CCNC Member Support and Recruitment Coordinator Stephanie Dunton at sdunton@conservationlegacy.org with any questions.

Application Deadline

Preference given to applicants that submit application by August 23rd, 2024

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

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