Minnesota GreenCorps AmeriCorps member

Job Overview

Position Summary: Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide AmeriCorps program coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), with a mission to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment and strengthen communities. MN GreenCorps members serve full-time at nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or educational institutions throughout the state. Members address critical environmental issues while gaining green job skills and networking with environmental professionals. The Minnesota GreenCorps program anticipates engaging 48 members in the 11 month service term.

Members serve on projects in one of the four environmental focus areas:

• Air pollutant reduction (energy conservation, green transportation)
• Community readiness and outreach (public engagement, education, volunteer mobilization)
• Green infrastructure improvements (stormwater management, urban forestry)
• Waste reduction, recycling, and organics management (food waste prevention, recycling, composting)

Member activities may include: delivering environmental education, implementing sustainability-related projects, collecting, benchmarking and analyzing data, improving habitat, implementing recycling programs, collaborating with community members, and mobilizing volunteers.

Term Dates and Schedule:

• AmeriCorps Service Term: September 14, 2022 – August 15, 2023
• Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm typical. Occasional evenings/weekends may be required for some positions.

 Location: 48 positions are available throughout Minnesota. Housing is not provided, members must secure housing near their service location. Applicants may indicate geographic area preferences on the application.

• Northeast MN: Cloquet, Duluth
• Northwest MN: Bemidji, Cass Lake, Park Rapids
• North Central MN: Brainerd
• Metro Area: Andover, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Edina, Forest Lake, Golden Valley, Ham Lake, Hastings, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Mound, Robbinsdale, St. Paul
• Southeast MN: Austin, Faribault, Rochester, St. Peter

How to Apply: Visit www.pca.state.mn.us/mngreencorps to learn more about the program, review the available positions and locations in the project summary document, and read the Application Guidelines.

You must read the Application Guidelines before starting an application. Applicants may indicate the focus area and region of the state where they want to serve on the application. Please be prepared to briefly describe an experience you have had that demonstrates your interest in environmental work on the application as well. You will need to upload a resume in the application system. Applicants are encouraged to include past volunteer experience, why community service is important to them, how service has positively impacted their community, and/or why they are interested in serving on their application materials.

Application Deadline: Thursday, June 16, 2022

If you have questions about the Minnesota GreenCorps program or the position, contact [email protected].

Special Benefits

Members earn a living allowance disbursed every two weeks in payments of $1,027 (pre-tax), health insurance, mental health services with counseling, student loan forbearance on eligible loans, and an education award of up to $6,495 for education expenses or qualified student loans. Members receive training from the MPCA, develop green job skills, gain professional experience, network with environmental professionals, and are paired with a mentor who provides ongoing guidance.

Minimum Requirements

Position Requirements

• Must be a minimum of 18 years or older.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Must be eligible to serve an AmeriCorps service term and make the commitment to complete the 11 month (1700 hour) service term.
• Must have a two year Associates degree or completion of sophomore year in a four-year college program required; preferred qualification of a four-year degree.
• Must have a demonstrated interest in the environment and service and community work.

Work Requirements

• Effective communication, presentation, and writing skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to work well independently and on diverse teams.
• Ability to take initiative and effectively manage projects.
• Ability to research and organize information.
• Functional computer skills: word processing, spreadsheet, database management.

 Physical Requirements

• Most positions are primarily based in an office setting and require sitting, standing, and operating a computer and telephone.
• Most positions require light to moderate lifting, bending, stooping, pulling, kneeling, carrying, and use of hand tools.
• Some positions require the ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, such as wind, rain, and high or low temperatures on challenging terrain for up to 8 hours at a time.

Additional Requirements

• Positions that perform driving require a valid driver’s license and ability to pass a driving record check. Some positions require access to a personal vehicle for transportation.
• All positions require the successful completion of a criminal history check, per AmeriCorps regulations.
• All positions require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or be tested weekly, per state policy.