This position is with Durham Central Park, in Durham NC, who's mission is to provide space for community.

**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 Volunteer and Sustainability Coordinator will bring their energy and enthusiasm to the park to help further develop our volunteer program, strengthen our sustainability efforts, work with us to deepen our DEI work through our Belonging and Access Committee and build a framework on which these programs can thrive and grow beyond their service. The ideal person will match the DCP Staff and Board members’ enthusiasm and passion about sustainability, bringing people together, and creating purpose, belonging, and meaning within the everyday work we do. 

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Volunteer Recruitment and Management

• Help to grow DCP Inc.’s volunteer program - our volunteer opportunities include park beautification cleanup volunteers, event waste diversion volunteers aka “waste warriors”, and event management volunteers
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, and management during park workdays and events
• Represent Durham Central Park at volunteer fairs at local universities, high schools, and other places
• Communicate with potential new volunteers about the park’s programs and mission
• Work with staff and the Belonging and Access Committee to develop a new volunteer program to implement Observational Studies, based on previously developed guides
• Keep records on volunteers, including number of volunteers at events
• Help develop and implement volunteer appreciation programs

Sustainability

• Assist with Durham Central Park’s Sustainability efforts, which include the following:
  • Event Sustainability
    • expanding event reusable cup program which includes educating event attendees and assist with recordkeeping of waste diversion
    • event composting which includes educating volunteers and event attendees and waste diversion recordkeeping
    • educating event vendors about their responsibilities for fulfilling our sustainability initiatives
    • Assist with implementation of compostable serviceware program that we are developing
  • Park Plant and Garden Sustainability
    • Assist staff with recruiting, training and managing volunteers to help with with the replanting of the park gardens to include more native and pollinator friendly plants, removal of invasive plants in the park’s natural areas and increasing the tree canopy in the park
• Collect data on sustainability initiatives to assist with grant and sponsorship opportunities
• Assist with developing both internal and external communications about the park’s sustainability initiatives including the importance of these efforts for the health of the environment and community
• Participate in Durham’s Bee City Committee as a representative of Durham Central Park with park staff. Durham’s Bee City Committee is a program of Keep Durham Beautiful. It is a volunteer group that promotes and facilitates the education, conservation, and prosperity of our native and honeybee populations in and near Durham County. Durham Central Park is a member.

Committees, Operations and Event Support

Durham Central Park is a small and nimble organization, so all staff members assist with park programming, volunteer coordination, and facility management when necessary.

• Attend DCP Inc.’s Belonging and Access Committee meetings to help guide the organizations in our continued efforts of equity, diversity and inclusion at the park. This may include participation in trainings, reading and research
• Assist DCP staff as needed with day-to-day operations of the park, including facility maintenance, park health assessments, and basic groundskeeping
• Assist DCP staff with communications and marketing tasks by writing and developing content that explain and highlight the volunteer and sustainability programs.
• Assist DCP staff with event planning, day of event management, and post event evaluation, with a specific focus on volunteer and sustainability

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 interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with volunteers and visitors on behalf of the organization

• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Demonstration of professionalism in all aspects of work, including the ability to set priorities, multi-task, and meet deadlines 
• 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.
• Excellent communication & customer service skills

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

• 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 50 lbs.

Preferred Schedule

Monday to Friday 10am-4pm along with some weekend and evening hours during the park’s events. These events typically fall on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. (These weekend events are all planned out long in advance and we will review the event dates upon orientation.) 

JOB CODE: Durham Central Park