Stormwater Education Coordinator

Durham, NC

This position is with the Central Pines Regional Council based in Durham, NC


CPRC’s mission is “to serve as an intergovernmental organization for local elected officials that works proactively on regional issues in order to sustain and improve the quality of life for our citizens.” In our diverse seven-county region, we convene local governments, stakeholders and partners to tackle the many challenges that cross jurisdictional lines. As part of CPRC’s regional collaborative efforts, the Clean Water Education Partnership is a cooperative effort between local governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations to protect water quality in the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear River Basins and beyond. CWEP aims to protect North Carolina’s waterways from stormwater pollution through public education and outreach, and by helping public entities communicate the important fact that clean water is vital for healthy ecosystems and a high quality of life for area residents. 

**NOTICE** This position is subject to continued federal and state funding, as AmeriCorps is under a 30% reduction in member slots for the 2024-2025 service year. We anticipate that by mid-May 2024 we will know which positions (if not all) will be available to start on our normal service year timeline. All applicants will be notified if this position is not funded.**NOTICE**

This 2024-2025 AmeriCorps position will have a start date of September 4th 2024 and an end date of July 31st 2025. Deadline to apply is June 14th 2024, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Don't delay in applying!

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents -  Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, and Birth Certificate or US Passport/US Permanent Resident Card.** If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment may be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

For the 2024-2025 service year, Resilience Corps NC operates a 11 month 1700-hour service position that offers a living stipend of $31,000, health insurance reimbursement for premiums purchased on the ACA Healthcare Exchange, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (individual trainings, enrollment in NC Environmental Education Certificate Program, and conferences in conjunction with VolunteerNC). Members are also eligible to sign up for SNAP benefits. Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $7,395 from the National Service Trust.

CTNC is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference or familial status.

CTNC seeks to engage applicants from underrepresented communities, particularly of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, and Native American background, in conservation careers. Connecting more diverse applicants to an employment pathway has led to greater equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in conservation.

Purpose of the Position

The Stormwater Education Coordinator will play a unique and critical role in promoting behavior changes through outreach and education about water quality impairment and our impact on stormwater runoff. The member will aid CWEP in delivering programs and resources that individually and/or collectively serve the 44 members’ communities before the end of the term, and help grow, solidify and identify new community partnerships for future education efforts.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

The Stormwater Education Coordinator will develop or customize and deliver interactive stormwater pollution educational lessons (virtually or in person) to students and adults through schools, libraries, continuing education sessions, and other forums. With 44 CWEP members across the state, there are many opportunities to do direct education and outreach to increase public awareness of the impact of stormwater management. 

The AmeriCorps member’s main responsibilities fall into four main categories:

  1. Work with the CWEP local government staff to coordinate, schedule, and conduct education programs that convey the importance of clean water and the impact of public behavior on stormwater runoff and water quality and help promote behavior changes in these communities.
  2. Spearhead a Regional Creek Week effort to build the capacity of CWEP local governments to build or grow their own Creek Week engagement events.
  3. Shape CWEP’s social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and the CWEP website via developing and sharing posts about CWEP's education visits in our partner communities and water quality-related infographics.
  4. Other responsibilities include:
  • (a)Update the CWEP website;
  • (b)Attend and draft meeting minutes for CWEP quarterly meetings;
  • (c)Assist with bi-annual newsletters; and 
  • (d)Prepare public outreach materials for CWEP partners like posters, stickers and       project profiles. 

Additional potential responsibilities could include helping to deliver lessons on water pollution and stormwater-driven flooding at continuing education sessions put on by environmental justice-focused nonprofits. 

Communication:

  • Practice inclusive and thoughtful behavior in building rapport with program participants, site stakeholders and program staff.
  • Communicate regularly and effectively with program staff, and site personnel.
  • Report data in online systems in a timely and accurate manner.

Program Requirements:

  • Demonstrate regular, timely attendance and adherence to hours as scheduled.
  • Commit to service for the service term of 11 months, serving the minimum number of 1700 hours.
  • Participate in all required AmeriCorps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and travel as necessary. Community Stewardship Coordinators will receive training on best practices for community engagement, group facilitation, and communicating about climate change with a focus on pursuing climate justice.
  • Actively participate in service projects and commemorating days such as 9/11 Day of Service (as applicable). These may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Qualifications 

  • Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills are required, as the member will be responsible for communicating with CWEP members statewide and will provide outreach and education to people from various backgrounds and ages. A valid driver’s license and a vehicle are also required. However, the member will have access to the CPRC vehicle if it is available. CPRC will reimburse the member for their travel to and from educational outreach events. 
  • The ideal candidate would have experience and/or interest in public communication and/or education (formal or informal)
  • Bachelor of Sciences or Bachelor of Education, environmental education experience or degree in environmental science, biology, or social science is preferred. Other majors are welcome from individuals with an interest and/or self-taught learning about environmental impacts. Basic knowledge of watersheds/stormwater is helpful but can be learned on the job- it is more important to have prior skills/experience teaching or training others, or an interest in exploring teaching or informal education work.
  •  The applicant should have experience in or an interest in learning to do digital content creation and managing social media accounts, as a means of environmental education and public engagement. Developing and planning content for CWEP’s social media and maintaining CWEP's online presence relative to our partners’ social media accounts is an expectation of the role including updating the website.
  • The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, creative, attentive to detail, and enjoy working independently once trained. They may develop new educational outreach lessons and materials if desired, as well as using existing ones. Additionally, once trained, they should be comfortable teaching on their own. While a member of a CWEP partner local government may be able to attend education events, smaller local governments do not have enough staff to attend and as such delegate education visits to CWEP. 
  • This is a public-facing leadership role that would let the AmeriCorps member grow their education/engagement and project management skills by providing a much-needed service in areas served by CWEP local governments.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older prior to your start date.
  • Must have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent by your start date.
  • Must be either a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
  • Must pass mandatory National Service Criminal History Checks.
  • Speak, read, and write English fluently.
  • Experience with professional computer skills and confidence using computers. Comfort and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), completing internet searches, and navigating resources online, completing data entry, using e-mail regularly including sending attachments, using databases and software, using videoconferencing software, and attending training online.
  • A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a driving record check. Access to a personal vehicle for transportation
  • Excellent communication & customer service skills


Essential Functions / Physical Demands

  • The physical demands of this position are moderate. 
  • The AmeriCorps member must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
  • Willing to lift 35 pounds and actively participate in outdoor environmental education events in any weather. 
  • The member must have a reliable personal vehicle and a good driving record. 
  • Some working hours are primarily based in an office setting and require sitting, standing, and operating a computer and telephone. Some working hours outside, potentially in various weather conditions.
  • Some working hours may require light to moderate lifting, bending, stooping, pulling, kneeling, carrying, and use of hand tools up to 30 lbs.

Preferred Schedule

The schedule will be a 40-hour work week, generally within the regular weekday timeframe, with occasional night and/or weekend work as in-person education events require. During the week the member should expect to coordinate with members and partners to schedule and deliver educational events or activities. 

The member should expect to conduct educational tabling events at festivals and fairs on multiple weekends in fall and spring. They will be encouraged to take off weekday time to compensate for weekend time they work. The member must be available during the third week of March to help coordinate the CWEP Regional Creek Week efforts that partnering local governments put on. (Their role in this event involves primarily coordination, virtual event planning, content creation and resource-sharing, not running in-person events.)

JOB CODE: CPRC Stormwater