Want to live, work, learn and give back to

Sierra Nevada’ ecosystems and communities?

 

Apply to be a Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Member

 

We are seeking applicants with a desire to devote a year of their lives to work for the protection of Sierra resources, to engage citizens in watershed restoration, and to join a team that explores the connections between community service and a sustainable Sierra environment.  The Sierra Nevada Alliance and South Yuba River Citizens League are starting a new Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Program (SNAP) throughout the 400-mile range. 

 

AmeriCorps Members will have the opportunity to work with one of 20 conservation groups and/or agencies within the Sierra to implement habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, watershed education and/or volunteer recruitment programs.   The mission of SNAP is to develop the capacity of community-based organizations to play a leading role in the protection, restoration and stewardship of public lands, local waterways and working landscapes of the Sierra Nevada region. 

 

The program will begin with an orientation and pre-service training from January 22nd to 29th, 2007. 

 

Responsibilities/Activities: 

Responsibilities and activities will vary depending on hosting organization but will be based on ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, watershed education, and volunteer recruitment.

¨        Coordinate volunteers and prepare field equipment in the implementation of monthly water quality monitoring program.

¨        Collaborate with State Parks to design and implement a riparian habitat restoration projects in high priority public lands.

¨        Deliver environmental education presentations to 3rd-8th grade students on water conservation and watershed ecology.

¨        Assist the organization in developing a membership database and associated outreach materials to enhance your project.

 

Placement Locations:

·         AmeriCorps Members will be placed with a Conservation Group (e.g. Tahoe Baikal Institute, Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships, Placer Land Trust, Mountain Lion Foundation) or an Agency (e.g. Yosemite National Park, Central Sierra RC&D).

·         Exact locations will vary.  There are up to 20 potential site placements in the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento such as Nevada City, Lake Tahoe Basin (North & South Shores), Quincy, Springville, Truckee, Auburn, Bishop, El Portal, and Jackson.

 

Necessary Skills and Qualifications

·         Ability to work with local community members, conservation groups and agencies.

·         Experience organizing events

·         Skills facilitating and/or participating in group meetings

·         Ability to lay out work tasks, identify resources, focus work and complete tasks on time

·         Strong writing skills

·         Public speaking and outreach skills

·         Independent, highly motivated, and ability to meet deadlines with limited supervision

·         Passion for the natural environment

·         Proficiency using personal computers and internet

·         Ability to travel throughout the region

·         Physical ability to perform strenuous activities at high elevations [JR1] 

 

Compensation and Benefits

·         Full-time AmeriCorps Service positions for 11.5 months. Beginning January 22nd, 2007 and concluding December 31st, 2008. 

·         AmeriCorps Members will receive up to 350 hours of technical, ecological and skills-development training throughout the year. 

·         AmeriCorps Members will receive a monthly stipend of $1200 and standard health insurance. 

·         AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 will be granted upon completion of the program for use on existing qualified student loans or future higher education expenses.

 

How To Apply

 

To apply please visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org/programs/

Applications will be due to the Sierra Nevada Alliance by November 1st, 2006.

 

Review Process:

·         Top candidates will be requested to participate in phone interviews during the week of November 13th to 17th 2006

·         Second round interviews will be conducted with host organizations during the timeframe of November 28th-December 8th

·        Final Announcements made on December 13th 2006

 

For more information please contact:

·      Joan Clayburgh, Sierra Nevada Alliance: 530-542-4546, Joan@sierranevadaalliance.org or www.sierranevadaalliance.org

 All submissions are confidential. People of color are encouraged to apply.

The Sierra Nevada Alliance, SYRCL and AmeriCorps are equal opportunity employ