Employment

This position is with RiverLink, based in Asheville, North Carolina. RiverLink’s mission is to promote the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River Watershed.

This 2023-2024 AmeriCorps position will have a start date (for new full-time 11 month members) of October 16th 2023 and an end date of September 16th 2024. Deadline to apply is Sept 22nd, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Deadline to apply is Sept 22nd, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents –  Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, College Transcripts, Birth Certificate (if US Passport not uploaded).** If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment will be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

For the 2023-2024 service year, the NC Climate Action Corps through Project Conserve offers a living stipend of $30,000 for 11 months, health insurance reimbursement for premiums, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (individual trainings, and conferences in conjunction with VolunteerNC). Members are also eligible to sign up for SNAP benefits. Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $6,895 from the National Service Trust.

Conserving Carolina (fiscal agent of Project Conserve) is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference or familial status.

Conserving Carolina seeks to engage applicants from underrepresented communities, particularly of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, and Native American background, in conservation careers. Connecting more diverse applicants to an employment pathway has led to greater equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in conservation.

Purpose of the Position

The Coordinator will help RiverLink expand our WaterRICH residential stormwater management program through presentations and hands-on workshops. Our workshops focus on topics such as rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, downspout disconnect, and streambank restoration. The member will also increase our capacity to work with community partners on projects implementing green infrastructure (G.I.) and develop new education materials highlighting the role of G.I. in building climate resilience.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Resilience Project Specific Duties:

• Expansion of the WaterRICH program outside of Buncombe County into targeted communities most at-risk of stormwater damage through community education (town halls, classroom education).
• Attend community events, gatherings, and meetings to develop relationships between the community and the host organization.
• Create and maintain a community asset map to identify organizations, groups, community leaders, and places to engage with in environmental action activities.
• Driven by host site input, data and asset map, develop a community needs assessment around environmental action activities.
• Implement Green Infrastructure projects with community leaders and advocates in targeted communities and provide additional capacity support to expand programming into new communities.

Communication:

• Practice inclusive and thoughtful behavior in building rapport with program participants, site stakeholders and program staff.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with program staff, and site personnel.
• Report data in online systems in a timely and accurate manner.

Program Requirements:

• Demonstrate regular, timely attendance and adherence to hours as scheduled.
• Commit to service for the service term of 11 months, serving the minimum number of 1700 hours.
• Participate in all required AmeriCorps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and travel as necessary. Community Stewardship Coordinators will receive training on best practices for community engagement, group facilitation, and communicating about climate change with a focus on pursuing climate justice.
• Actively participate in service projects and commemorating days such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (as applicable). These may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Qualifications 

• Must be 18 years of age or older prior to your start date.
• Must have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent by your start date.
• Must be either a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Must pass mandatory National Service Criminal History Checks.
• Speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Experience with professional computer skills and confidence using computers. Comfort and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), completing internet searches, and navigating resources online, completing data entry, using e-mail regularly including sending attachments, using databases and software, using videoconferencing software, and attending training online.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a driving record check. Access to a personal vehicle for transportation.

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

• Some working hours are primarily based in an office setting and require sitting, standing, and operating a computer and telephone. 
• Some working hours may require light to moderate lifting, bending, stooping, pulling, kneeling, carrying, and use of hand tools up to 30 lbs.

Preferred Schedule

The typical work week will range from 36-40 hours spanning certain designated business hours. The schedule is flexible with supervisor approval. Some remote work will be possible while in person work will also be required. Generally, the service member will serve Monday-Friday between 8:00AM and 5:00PM. The member will have flexibility to adjust workday length based on programs facilitated and time served throughout the week, as long as required hours to complete service term are met.