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 The Greenway Foundation (TGF) in Denver, CO. Since 1974, TGF has been leading efforts to reclaim the South Platte River and its tributaries, transforming this vital watershed from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental and recreational pride. Today we provide access, expert education, and community events along the river.

Service Position Summary: The Youth Engagement Specialist will help TGF with community outreach in target neighborhoods with high minority and low-income populations to better serve these communities through its South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) programming as well as act as an assistant environmental educator and youth mentor on SPREE programs serving high school students from these neighborhoods.

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 The Greenway Foundation’s goals. These duties include:

• Conduct community outreach efforts in the target communities to establish partnerships and increase participation from residents in TGF’s environmental education programs. This may include:
• Meeting with community leaders and school officials
• Marketing material creation and distribution
• Email outreach
• Collecting and reporting community feedback
• Attend and teach students at SPREE Education programs, including field trips, day camps, and high school leadership programs
• Nurture new and old relationships with collaborative partners
• Create a database of contacts for target neighborhoods
• Listen and communicate effectively to welcome a diversity of opinions, needs, and cultures
• 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):

• Attend SPREE & TGF staff meetings

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Ability to work in outdoor setting in various weather conditions for up to 8 hours
• Able to carry/lift 50 pounds. Examples include moving and setting up tables, tents, and other materials for community events, as well as moving education materials (ex. 60 gold pans) for educational events.
• Commitment to equity in education
• In-person engagement with schools and community members

Qualifications:

• Interest in working with youth and in outdoor settings
• Cultural competency working with communities that have previously had less engagement with outdoor education programs
• Organizational and communication skills to work independently and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• Experience with environmental/outdoor education (preferred but not required)
• Proficiency in Google docs (preferred but not required)
• Ability to speak Spanish conversationally and/or translate written documents into Spanish (preferred but not required)
• Bicultural (preferred but not required)
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• 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 Julianne Gagnon, The Greenway Foundation Education Director, 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: Position will be based at 1820 Platte St., Denver CO 80202 (TGF's main office) and service will be performed at parks and neighborhoods throughout Denver.

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.
• 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: The Greenway Foundation 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.