Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, CO. Cal-Wood has connected kids and families to the Colorado mountains through our environmental education programs and, since 2020, through wildfire restoration, research, and education. We provide access to dynamic, hands-on science education in the field to students from all different backgrounds.

Service Position Summary: Our field instructors enjoy working in our beautiful 1,200-acre outdoor classroom with a team of other motivated individuals passionate about the outdoors, natural science, and education. Field instructors are responsible for providing a fun and educational experience for learning groups, leading outdoor recreation and teaching environmental science lessons. Summer and winter responsibilities may include serving as a counselor for summer camps or family camps, facilitating outdoor recreation such as fishing, archery, snowshoeing, and hiking with diverse groups, and helping to maintain trails, facilities, educational materials and gear room.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and Cal-Wood’s goals. These duties include:

• Design, teach, and evaluate environmental education programs in accordance with local curriculum standards
• Incorporate science, math, history, creative writing, art, and team building into programs as requested by school
• Engage groups of multilingual groups and families in culturally responsive environmental education programs, sometimes at schools and sometimes at our mountain campus
• Lead a learning group made up of 10-15 students during each school’s visit. Typical programs run 2-4 days with 4th – 6th graders.
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Assist with upkeep of program staff spaces, educational materials, and gear room
• Support occasional service learning projects in the field to help with forest fire mitigation, forest restoration, and trail maintenance

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Maintain a positive attitude outdoors in all weather conditions

Qualifications:

• High level of personal motivation for continued learning, personal responsibility for positive attitude, and flexibility are necessary to meet the demands of a dynamic residential work schedule
• One or more years of teaching experience
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to get certified required
• Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications a plus
• Bilingual (Spanish-English) strongly preferred
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• High school diploma or GED required
• Ability to pass criminal history checks required
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required
• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required

Term of Service: This is a full-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 1,700 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week). The position begins 9/3/24 and ends 8/15/25. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Erin Plum, Cal-Wood School Programs Manager, as well as by Erin Dreps, eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2024-25 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position will be based at 2282 County Road 87, Jamestown, CO with occasional programming at schools and other partner locations in and around the Denver Metro area.

Benefits:

• Biweekly (two times per month) living allowance of $913.05. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
• Housing provided (private room) on site or nearby in Jamestown
• Meals available when working programs
• $173.92/month bilingual stipend if English/Spanish bilingual
• Health insurance
• Child care assistance, if eligible
• An education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of term of service.
• It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Mileage reimbursement for eeCorps-required travel.
• Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need.
• Ability to participate in regional EE leadership councils; option to obtain CAEE’s nationally-recognized Professional Environmental Educator Certification.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Cal-Wood shall not discriminate against any employee, volunteer or program participant on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital, parental, veteran or military status, political service, or membership, participation or association with any employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities.

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. CAEE defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone to the field of environmental education and the Alliance, including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

Position will be filled pending grant award.