AmeriCorps Environmental Educator/Naturalist

Eligibility: Ability to serve approximately 32 hours per week from the beginning of May 2024 to the end of August 2024 with anticipated service schedule weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Occasional nights and weekends are required for host site needs. No service on holidays. Vacation time, sick time and holidays are not counted towards the hours needed to complete the term. Start and end dates are flexible. Be at least 17 years of age by the time of enrollment, which begins in May 2024. Be a United States citizen or have a permanent resident visa.

Responsibilities: • Make connections with individuals and volunteers in the community for program outreach and program enhancement (Volunteers supported or recruited by an AmeriCorps member cannot participated in prohibited or unallowable activities as described in.)

- Conduct educational programs to interpret flora, fauna, habitats and other components of the Conservation Board’s parks.

- Coordinate and facilitate outdoor environmental education programming for area youth in cooperation with local teachers

- Facilitate field trips with students to track and report on program accomplishments Develop pre and post activities for teachers to conduct in the classroom to build on the environmental education field trips.

- Plan and present programs to develop and encourage outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, canoeing/ kayaking, fishing, bird watching, etc.

- Create and/or co-present out of school programs, including summer library programs that develop a strong passion for exploring nature.

- Enhance curriculum on STEM based experiences and principles to better provide field trip opportunities to the K-12 students of Cass County. Also lead these field trip opportunities with other staff.

- Enhance curriculum on STEM based experiences and principles to supplement existing summer  camps and lead these summer camp opportunities with staff.

- Lead volunteer groups throughout county parks, and recreation areas to perform stewardship and service projects including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, etc. At the direction of the AmeriCorps Site Supervisor.

- Actively participate in data collection and management; ensure data validity.

- This position has access to vulnerable populations.

• Provide input for design and implementation of the Cass County Conservation summer camps for children ages 3-17 years old.

Qualifications & Requirements: Prefer bachelor’s degree or be working towards a degree in any of the following areas: Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Interpretation, Animal Ecology, Forestry or any other related field. Desire to engage with children and the public, excellent communication skills, computer literate, and public speaking is a must. Possession of a valid State of Iowa driver’s license required. Member must pass Sex Offender, Iowa State Criminal History, and Federal Fingerprint Checks. Member must agree to and follow Iowa State University/Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Program and host site disciplinary procedures regarding member(s) conduct.

Salary & Benefits: • A taxable living allowance of $9,200 per program year • Student loan forbearance on qualified student loans • A $3,097 educational award for tuition or student loans • Leadership experience and skill development • CPR Certification Hands on learning experiences with other organizations and government entities like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Water recreation experience, certification opportunities, interpretive tour guide training at the Hitchcock House and equipment training as needed, interviewing skills and resume building workshops. Additional training opportunities may be available in the following topic areas: wildlife habitat management, wildlife population management, land use management, and campground/office management.

Deadline:Open Until Filled

To Apply: Resumes and cover letters can be directed towards Lora Kanning, Cass County Conservation Naturalist. Preferred method emailing: lkanning@casscoia.us If you have any questions call the Cass County Conservation Board Office at 712.769.2372.

Cass County Conservation Board 57744 Lewis Rd Lewis, Iowa 51544 712-769-2372

An Equal Opportunity Employer