AmeriCorps Education Coordinator

Job Overview

Service Term: September 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024

Supervisor Name: Justin Young

Supervisor Title: Education & Outreach Manager

Summary of Position: 

RiverLink’s Education Coordinator works with school groups and the general public to lead hands-on experiential activities at no cost throughout the watershed. These programs expand students’ knowledge of aquatic ecosystems through outdoor exploration, interactive models, educational games, and more. All lessons integrate NC Essential Standards, STEAM education methods, and inquiry/place based learning.

The Education Coordinator fosters appreciation for the river as a source of creative inspiration, and a space to play and explore. They host an art and poetry contest where students will submit work inspired by their time on the river. They will also lead 5 weeks of summer camp, where they’ll guide 3^rd-8^th graders as they discover the beauty of the watershed. This position will also help with various outreach duties such as managing social media and tabling at community events.

Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Comfort speaking to large and small groups, particularly children.
• An understanding of equity and how it applies to the environmental and education sectors.
• Can form deep and genuine relationships with community members and organizations, prioritizing groups that have traditionally been excluded from environmental spaces.
• Active listening skills and the ability to have open, honest, and empathetic communication with program participants and staff.
• Can manage time effectively and maintain a detailed personal schedule to help meet deadlines.

• Willingness to pursue further watershed education to enhance their ability to lead lessons.
• Some prior knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, outdoor education methods, and historical/indigenous knowledge about the river is beneficial but not required.
• Has a valid driver’s license and is comfortable driving a 15-passenger van.
• Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States, and consent to a criminal history check.

Preferred Service Hours / Weekly Schedule: 

This position typically works from 9am-5pm Mondays-Fridays with some weekends. Since there is a lot of work with schools, a good amount of days can start as early as 7AM.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Conservation Education: 80%

• Host educational programs with over 3,500 students throughout the school year focused on the physical, biological, & chemical aspects of stream ecology.
• Create new, and continue existing methods to engage students through the use of scientific equipment, interactive learning strategies, & thoughtful reflection.
• Coordinate with organizational partners and government agencies to facilitate larger scale educational programming.
• Oversee the Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest.
  • Create outreach materials and market the contest to schools, parents, and media outlets.
  • Recruit local judges and create a rubric for judging submissions.
  • Collect prize donations from local businesses.
  • Plan a public gallery event to display all submissions.
  • Work with businesses throughout the watershed to display submitted works.
• Represent RiverLink at a variety of events, community groups, and workshops.
• Support the Science & Equity Educator with afterschool programming when time allows.
• Serve as lead counselor for French Broad RiverCamp.
  • Drive a 15 passenger van to key sites throughout the watershed.
  • Conduct forested and urban stream studies with campers.
  • Plan creative and reflective activities for campers to do between scheduled activities.
  • Join campers on recreational river activities such as tubing and rafting.
  • Tour local water infrastructure such as treatment plants, reservoirs, and stormwater features.
• Work with the Watershed Resources Coordinator to support community education opportunities.

Volunteer Infrastructure Program (VIP): 20%

• Participate in 1 volunteer educator training per quarter to recruit members of the public to assist with educational activities.
• Create an evaluation system for volunteer educators to determine their effectiveness during lessons.
• Work with the Stewardship Coordinator to host school groups for service projects, and incorporate education into public volunteer opportunities.

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to fulfilling host site service responsibilities, all Project Conserve members are required to fully participate in team trainings, service projects and statewide AmeriCorps events. Project Conserve team events will occur approximately twice per month in locations throughout the service area and may require up to three overnight stays.

Essential Functions

Equipment / Software Used: Computer, Stream simulation table, water quality testing kits, biomonitoring sampling equipment, marketing/design software, SalsaLabs (a mass email and database software.)

Physical Demands: Creek walking, ability to lift a canoe with a partner, drive a 15 passenger van, paddling experience helpful but not required.

Transportation Needs: Must have a reliable vehicle.

Setting/Location of Service Activities: Buncombe and Henderson counties with some activities in Transylvania, Madison, Avery, and Yancy counties as well.

• Using computer software and online programs for conservation-based education and outreach initiatives, including social networking, written articles and press releases
• Leading, coordinating, and interacting with diverse individuals in field-based and office settings (students, community members, partner organizations).
• Developing and implementing educational programs and events for groups (presentations, workshops, educational hikes and outings, etc).
• Other Essential Functions: Developing partnerships and relationships with other organizations, schools, and government agencies.

Special Benefits

• $27,000-30,000 living stipend (paid in equal installments via direct deposit, twice per month, minus taxes; exact amount TBD on grant funding)
• Health insurance reimbursement if eligible. Members are eligible for reimbursement for the full cost of a Health Insurance Marketplace bronze or catastrophic plan, OR up to $100 for a higher-level Marketplace plan. Members who maintain health insurance through a parent or spouse’s employer are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Childcare assistance if eligible. See eligibility requirements for full-time members enrolled in AmeriCorps State & National programs on the AmeriCorps Childcare Fact Sheet
• Education award of $6,895.00 upon successful completion of the program. This award can be used to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. Learn more about the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award on AmeriCorps.gov/americorps-education-award
• Mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities. Training may include Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED, Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and more

How to Apply:

Visit https://conservingcarolina.org/americorps/projectconserve/ for more application details.