Service Dates: January 16 - May 31, 2025
Average Hours per Week: 35-40
Days/Hours of Service: Usually Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm, may vary or include some evenings/weekends.
Minimum # Hours to Complete Term: 675 Hours

Program Overview: Blue Elements Watershed Stewards is committed to increasing community resilience in the face of changing water conditions by supporting sustainable, equitable access to one of Colorado’s most valuable natural resources. AmeriCorps members will support organizations serving the water conservation, restoration, education and monitoring sectors in the Arkansas River Valley and beyond. Members may provide water education to youth and adults, complete water restoration projects, and support water quality monitoring projects. Members will work with diverse, traditionally underrepresented community members.

Organization Overview: Project Dream encompasses Lake County School District’s After School Programming Monday-Thursday and Full Day Programming on Fridays. Project Dream focuses on providing opportunities for social-emotional learning, academic enrichment, athletics, club programs, and activities with partner organizations.

Service Description: The Watershed Education Specialist will support the development and implementation of watershed educational curriculum for grades K-12 through Lake County School District’s Out of School Programming, Project Dream.

AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities:

• Facilitate activity clubs for Project Dream programs 5 days a week. 
• Plan and facilitate after school Environmental Clubs at the Elementary, Intermediate and High Schools. 
• Develop and implement watershed education curriculum to utilize as the basis for the environmental club. 
• Facilitate engaging, experiential field opportunities during Friday programming. 
• Attend training for River Watch, and engage high school students in River Watch citizen science field water quality monitoring activities . 
• Attend Project Dream trainings and professional development. 
• Track progress and facilitate evaluation data for the program’s performance measures. 
• Support Academic Enrichment and Credit Recovery programming as needed .

Qualifications:

• Experience working with youth in educational settings
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Teaching/ leadership experience
• Classroom management skills
• Maintain a positive and professional leadership role when supporting youth
• Passionate about engaging youth in watershed stewardship
• Patient, kind, caring, self motivated team player
• Strong professional communication skills
• Basic computer skills
• Commitment to ethics of diversity, equity,and inclusion
• Bilingual preferred, but not required

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications:

• At least 18 years old at start of service
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during the term of service.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Ability to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Watershed Stewards AmeriCorps Program Benefits:

• $9,824.00 Living allowance. AmeriCorps member(s) will receive total stipend paid bi-monthly at $1,091.55 per pay period over the course of the term. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• $2,817.00 Education Award / Tuition Assistance- AmeriCorps member(s) can receive an Education Award upon successful completion of service. This can be used to pay back student loans or further your education.
• All members receive professional development and training, plus covered travel costs for attendance at regional or state conferences.
• All members may be eligible for the Federal Assistance Program (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
• All members may qualify for student loan forbearance while in service.
• Alumni benefits may include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.