AmeriCorps - Parks Restoration Educator



AmeriCorps - Parks Restoration Educator

Salary

See Position Description

Location

City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type

Temporary

Job Number

22- AmeriCorps Parks

Department

Parks and Recreation

Opening Date

07/20/2022

Closing Date

8/22/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Temp

Nature of Work

DATES OF SERVICE: October 1, 2022 - August 15, 2023 (8:00am-4:30pm Tuesday-Saturday; weekend and occasional evenings required)
 
SUMMARY:
The Parks Restoration Educator educates and engages community members of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities in the environmental restoration and preservation of Bellingham's Parks through hands-on stewardship and environmental education. The AmeriCorps member will develop and lead volunteer work parties for the public and teach environmental stewardship programs for school-aged students with the goal of protecting and enhancing parklands, increasing biodiversity, and improving wildlife habitat. Duties will include restoration project planning, volunteer outreach, recruitment and tracking, event planning and implementation, risk management, community partnership support, environmental education curriculum development and delivery, native plant nursery maintenance, intern support and mentorship, and stewardship program capacity building. This position is funded through Washington Service Corps with Bellingham Parks and Recreation.
 

BENEFITS:

  • Living allowance of $16,502 (distributed over 10.5 months; $1,571 per month before deductions and withholdings) 
  • Education Award of $6,495 upon successful completion of 10.5-month commitment (minimum of 1700 hours)
  • Basic health insurance and workers compensation coverage
  • Loan forbearance and interest accrual reimbursement for qualified student loans
  • Childcare assistance for qualifying members
  • Networking, training, and professional development opportunities
  • A chance to make a difference in our community, schools, and parks!

Experience and Training

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree with focus on environment, education or related field preferred
  • Creative, energetic, flexible, motivated, and professional
  • Strong organization and excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Excited to serve with a variety of ages of volunteers from school-age to adults
  • Comfortable speaking publicly in front of 50 or more people and leading groups of volunteers in field work
  • Experience with service learning and environmental education with school-aged students
  • Knowledge of Pacific Northwest native plants and urban wildlife
  • Familiar with ecology and restoration principles
  • Ability to solve problems creatively and complete tasks independently with only general supervision
  • Commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in programming
  • Familiar with computer programs such as Publisher, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Willing to serve outdoors in all seasons for long hours, weekends, and occasionally evenings
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and work over uneven terrain on steep slopes in inclement weather

Necessary Special Requirements

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Current Washington State driver's license and acceptable driving record for the past three years
  • US citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien
  • Ability to pass a criminal background and child/adult abuse records check (See Fair Hiring Practices)
  • All City Employees are expected to follow COVID related mandates and requirements.
All City of Bellingham employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, per Mayor Seth Fleetwood’s Executive Order 2021-02.

Selection Process

TO APPLY:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references with current contact information to rarobie@cob.org. Please write "AmeriCorps Restoration Educator Application" in the subject line. Application review will begin immediately. Applicants will also be required to apply online on the AmeriCorps website (link to be sent to finalists). 
 
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently. Interviews for selected candidates are tentatively scheduled for September 1 and 2, 2022.
 
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 22, 2022 (11:59 PM).
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ryan Robie, Bellingham Parks Volunteer Coordinator: rarobie@cob.org or 360-739-3366.
 
This position is contingent on AmeriCorps funding.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
 
 Fair Hiring Practices:
  • The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
  • The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
  • The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
  • The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

Please review the Job Summary for more information regarding Benefits! 

Agency
City of Bellingham
Address
104 West Magnolia Street

Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Phone
360-778-8228