AmeriCorps Program Director, Palmetto Conservation Corps

The Palmetto Conservation Corps is South Carolina’s only trail-based state AmeriCorps Program. The Corps completes service work on the Palmetto Trail, through public lands, in communities, and with various organizations throughout the state. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or religion. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The vision of the Corps is to create sustainable communities while conserving South Carolina’s natural resources. The Corps develops the conservation leaders of tomorrow through service and education, strengthens partnerships that address environmental challenges, and cultivates civically-engaged citizens. The Palmetto Conservation Corps is a natural addition to the work of Palmetto Conservation Foundation, whose mission is to conserve South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources, preserve historic landmarks, and promote active outdoor recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other greenways. In 2016, the Corps began as Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s key Trail maintenance tool, but Trail maintenance is not the only benefit of Corps work. The Corps exists to…

• conserve natural resources and wildlife habitats across South Carolina through Trail building and maintenance;
• prepare a crew of young adults with training in disaster preparedness and provide relief in the event of a statewide disaster; and
• train the environmental leaders of tomorrow in natural resource management, environmental best practices, and disaster mitigation.

Job Overview

AmeriCorps Program Director, Palmetto Conservation Corps

Position Type: Full time, 40 hours per week, salaried

Summary of Position: 

Responsible for managing all aspects of the Palmetto Trail’s AmeriCorps program (The Palmetto Conservation Corps).

Reporting Relationships: 

Employee reports to the Palmetto Trail’s Executive Director

Other Key Relationships:

Serve as the primary contact between the Palmetto Trail and the South Carolina Commission for National and Community Service.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Develop/ update program start up materials
• Recruit AmeriCorps members, aged 18 and up, to participate in the Corps (may include travel)
• Train members on necessary job functions, AmeriCorps protocol, and operational procedure, and all other Corps related information
• Organize Corps project calendar
• Report on performance measures
• Secure feedback from partners on Corps performance and satisfaction
• Provide member development opportunities
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and phone calls with the SC Commission
• Submit applicable reports to the SC Commission
• Research community impact of the Corps
• Attend applicable national trainings, certifications, and conferences, including the annual Corps Network Conference and the annual Regional AmeriCorps Conference
• Coordinate with community partners
• Conduct bi-annual reviews of all Corps members
• Participate in bi-annual review process with the executive director
• Oversee Corps financial reporting- gathering necessary support documentation for monthly FSR reports, completing quarterly budget change amendments, and working closely with Finance Manager
• Compose and submit AmeriCorps operational grant application for re-compete and continuation
• Secure funding sources, through sponsorships or grants, to supplement CNCS funds for the Corps
• Expected to participate in onsite work with Corps crews at least once a month
• Manage all Corps facilities and property
• Work with the Trail Field Coordinator for Corps site supervision, trainings, and scheduling
• Other duties related to the Palmetto Conservation Corps as assigned

Additional Responsibilities:

• Work with the Palmetto Trail development team as needed
• Give community presentations related to the Palmetto Trail, the Palmetto Trail, and the Corps
• Participate in informational tabling events for the Palmetto Trail and the Corps
• Participate in other Palmetto Trail Office Committees as assigned
• Support the Palmetto Trail staff for events and programs
• May require some travel in personal vehicle
• Other duties as assigned

Competencies: 

To perform the job successfully, the employee should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position:

• Team/Organizational Leadership and Management – Understands the needs and wants of the agency and communities in order to provide accurate, complete and timely service and to further the mission, values and goals of the organization.
• Ability to Multi-Task – The ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments; prioritizes more important tasks while maintaining a good handle on others; reports in a timely manner any barriers to task completion leaving ample opportunities for supervisor to adjust deadlines.
• Results-Oriented Thinking and Behavior – A genuine concern for effectiveness and efficiency. Possesses the desire to get the job done with excellence; mentally, is focused on getting the best results for actions taken; does not settle for mediocrity.
• Initiative, Innovation and Creativity – The ability to think outside the routine way of doing business and develop new and creative ways of addressing community needs.
• Communication – Speaks clearly; writes effectively and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens to executives, co-workers, employees, and outside advisors in order to effectively and efficiently share information and ideas; demonstrates effective group presentation and meeting skills.

Required Minimum Education and Experience:

• Related professional experience
• Experience with program management
• Background with writing reports and tracking data
• Experience with negotiating, facilitating, public speaking, and training
• Knowledge and use of current Microsoft Office and its applications
• AmeriCorps experience is preferred

General Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary Work:  Employee is required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Physical Activities:

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Activities must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction.  Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.
• Visual Acuity: Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or expansive reading.

• Working Conditions: Employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Travel: Employee will be required to travel throughout the state to meet with current and potential community partners, to oversee some Corps projects, and to recruit Corps applicants. Most travel can be done in the same day. Some travel may be overnight to accommodate evening meetings with local partner groups and recruitment opportunities.

Compensation:

• $37,900 salary
• Up to $45 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $450 monthly health insurance reimbursement

To Apply:

Please submit your:

• Cover letter
• Resume, and
• 3 professional references

to Mary Roe at [email protected]

Special Benefits

Compensation:

• $37,900 salary
• Up to $45 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $450 monthly health insurance reimbursement

Minimum Requirements

Required Minimum Education and Experience:

• Related professional experience
• Experience with program management
• Background with writing reports and tracking data
• Experience with negotiating, facilitating, public speaking, and training
• Knowledge and use of current Microsoft Office and its applications
• AmeriCorps experience is preferred

General Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary Work:  Employee is required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Physical Activities:

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Activities must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction.  Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.
• Visual Acuity: Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or expansive reading.

• Working Conditions: Employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Travel: Employee will be required to travel throughout the state to meet with current and potential community partners, to oversee some Corps projects, and to recruit Corps applicants. Most travel can be done in the same day. Some travel may be overnight to accommodate evening meetings with local partner groups and recruitment opportunities.