Environmental Steward 2022 (six month)
Service Description: Green Iowa AmeriCorps operates through the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education (UNI CEEE) in Cedar Falls. The program is looking to recruit passionate and motivated individuals for a six-month service experience in one of our service locations throughout Iowa. As a member of our new and existing programs sites, you will have the opportunity to create plans in conjunction with city officials, nonprofit leaders and school districts, and execute projects that will greatly impact the communities we serve. The leadership and empowerment experienced as part of our program will be like no other!
Our mission is empowering Iowa's communities and school districts to make more environmental, conservation-minded decisions and improvements through direct service work, environmental education, professional development opportunities, and volunteer engagement. Green Iowa AmeriCorps consists of three branches: Energy & Community, Sustainable Schools and Land & Water Stewards. Each branch of our program will provide AmeriCorps members with the unique opportunity to enhance their professional development goals, cultivate community-wide relationships, and work toward making Iowa a more sustainable, eco-nomic state. A full list of our locations can be found on our website.
- Energy & Community- members serve in a team-based setting providing residential energy efficiency services to underserved populations, conducting environmental education, and engaging in community service projects.
- Sustainable Schools- members serve in Iowa school districts, solid waste agencies, community colleges and city governments as sustainability coordinators to reduce energy and waste, support teachers and students in environment education efforts, and create project-based learning opportunities.
- Land & Water Stewards- members serve with local nonprofits, conservation departments, and other community organizations to assist with creating environmental education and community programming related to healthy water and land stewardship in conjunction with many local and state partners.
Terms: There are two options for the six-month position. One being referred to as ‘half-time’ the other being referred to as ‘reduced half time.’
Each position is based on the completion of 900 hours of service (half-time) in a full-time work schedule (working on average 38-39 hours/week) OR 675 hours of service (reduced half-time) in a part-time work schedule (working on average 27-28 hours/week)
Flexible vacation and sick leave. Outside employment and school attendance available during off hours.
Start Date: There are three different start date options for the six-month service term experience:
- Monday, February 7, 2022 through Friday, August 19, 2022
- Tuesday, March 1, 2022 through Friday, September 9, 2022
- Friday, April 1, 2022 through Friday, October 14, 2022
The program will interview and enroll members on a rolling basis until all positions have been filled. Members must be willing and able to serve for the duration of the six-month term.
Program Benefits: Federal Loan Deferment, Healthcare Coverage, Training and Certification, Individualized Professional Development opportunities, Segal Education Award upon successful completion, Monthly Living stipend distributed by UNI, Leadership experience, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualification, Interest Accrual Repayment
Living Allowance:
Half-time (900 hour) position: $9,000.00 (TOTAL FOR SIX MONTHS; roughly $1,500.00/month) Reduced half-time (675 hour) position: - $6,147.00 (TOTAL FOR SIX MONTHS; roughly $1,024.50/month)
Living allowances are distributed evenly in monthly installments by the University of Northern Iowa over the course of the service term.
Half-time (900 hour position) - $3,172.50
Reduced half-time (675 hour) position) - $2,417.14
Education Awards are contingent upon successful completion of the program. More about what the Segal Education Award is and how it can be used can be found on the AmeriCorps website.
Qualifications:
- At minimum members must be high school graduates, GED recipients, working on attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service
- Be 17 years or older (no upper age limit)
- Pass a national service criminal history check
- Hold one of the following U.S. citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident
- Have a valid driver’s license or other government issued photo identification
Focus Areas: Neighborhood Revitalization, Environmental Preservation, Habitat Restoration, Housing, Community Outreach & Engagement, Storm Water Management, Land Restoration, Community and Economic Development, K-12 Education, Sustainability and Capacity Building
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Green Iowa AmeriCorps is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable culture and are striving to include these practices within our organization and work across Iowa. We believe embracing diversity creates lasting impacts on communities, where people are valued for who they are and their own unique experiences. It is vital to our mission to foster a culture where our service members and community partners feel valued, supported, and included in every aspect of service. We commit to using these practices in our passion for environmental stewardship.
Contact GIACrecruitment@gmail.com or apply via our website: https://www.greeniowaamericorps.org/open-positions