AmeriCorps 4-H Enviornmental Educator

Wapello County Conservation (WCC) is looking for you! There is an open position as an AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Educator. This person will be employed by AmeriCorps 4-H but will perform duties with WCC. 

Hours: The member will serve a minimum of 30 hours a week. (A 10% buffer of time is built into the minimum hours to account for sick time, inclement weather, etc.) Service hours will increase during summer camps for increased program needs. Service days will generally be Monday through Friday in addition to occasional weekend hours. Service hours will generally be 8am – 4:30pm with occasional evening hours. The member’s midpoint is 7/22/2024, at this point, the member should have served at least 150 hours. If at any time, AmeriCorps 4-H program staff sees that the Member is behind on service hours, the member may be put on a corrective action plan to ensure service hours are being met. 

Benefits/Salary: The AmeriCorps member will receive a taxable living allowance of $3,000 which will be distributed equally by month throughout the term. The member will also receive a Segal Education Award upon completion of the term. Some additional benefits are: Student loan forbearance on qualified student loans, leadership development and skills, involvement with Iowa Association of Naturalists, opportunities to network in the conservation community, hands on learning experiences, and the ability to work outside!

Requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent. Ability to work outside in all weather conditions, willingness to work outside normal business hours, willingness to work with ambassador animals, ability to learn what is not already known. Knowledge of Iowa’s natural resources. CPR certified or willing to get it. At least 17 years old. A United States Citizen or hold a permanent resident visa. AmeriCorps members are required to attend trainings and other events throughout the year. The member is responsible for all required AmeriCorps paperwork including fingerprinting, reports, timesheets, reflections, and surveys. 

Essential Duties: The AmeriCorps member will work directly with the naturalist, aiding in programs, exhibit designs, and other environmental education tasks. The member will research, design, revamp, and utilize the WCC curriculum to create meaningful experiences and quality educational programs for the community. Programs will be held at schools, libraries, public areas, and local parks. Additional places may be added. There will be an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth that we are not currently able to reach as well as an emphasis on making sure we have a consistent presence in the community. Provide many ways for community members to access the environment by developing inclusive self-guided tours, nature center exhibits, signage and brochures, virtual lessons, and engagement on our social media. The member and naturalist will work together to create a number of programs and projects to complete throughout the summer, this could include but is not limited to: summer camps and public programming. The member will also advertise their own programs through social media, newspapers, radio, the Voices From the Ridge Newsletter and creating flyers. 

Terms of Service: 300 hours June 16th-August 31st (end date can be flexible)  

To apply send cover letter, resume and at least three references by May 30th to:  srunyan@wapellocounty.org or mail to:  Wapello County Conservation Attn: Sara Runyan 1339 HWY 63 Bloomfield, IA  52537