This position is with El Futuro, based in Durham NC. 

El Futuro’s mission is to nurture stronger familias to live out their dreams. We live out this mission by providing bilingual, culturally-responsive mental health and substance use treatment to Spanishspeaking families in central NC. Our professionally-licensed staff - most of whom are first and second generation immigrants themselves - are experts in meeting families where they are and helping to put them at ease in the face of fear of unknown institutions and traditional stigmas about mental health. 

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 AmeriCorps Member will work to make environmental education more accessible to the Latino community, which is the primary population served by El Futuro. The member will work collaboratively with our current partners and enlarge our circle of contacts so that we have a greater impact on connecting more of the Latino community to nature and the green space. The service member will organize and lead environmental education programs in El Futuro’s therapeutic green space. This is especially salient for our work in the mental health sector as stronger connections with nature have been shown to improve people’s mental and emotional well-being. In addition, the service member will involve community volunteers by creating systems to ensure our therapeutic green space is thriving and a welcoming environment for the whole community. 

Position Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and promote an annual calendar and curriculum for community members to learn about mental health and environmental education
• Manage volunteer program and improve volunteer procedures, recruitment, involvement and retention.
• Coordinate community and staff volunteers related to El Futuro’s therapeutic green space.
• Screen volunteers to ensure good fit, provide training, and keep volunteer logs.
• Managing all flower, herb, fruit and vegetable production, in collaboration with volunteers.
• Plan and coordinate community events, educational programs, and volunteer day events in the El Futuro therapeutic garden area as needed in collaboration with staff, volunteers and community agencies.
• Work actively to engage El Futuro’s community, staff, clients, and neighbors in the El Futuro therapeutic green space use and care.
• Attend community meetings and develop partnerships with other organizations.
• Attend health and community fairs to promote awareness about El Futuro’s mental healthenvironment initiative, with special emphasis on the Latino population
• Collaborate with El Futuro’s Therapeutic Green Space team in planning activities, events and strategize best ways to engage the Latino community.
• Monitor the El Futuro therapeutic green space area and perform regular upkeep and maintenance. Test the creek as needed and take corrective actions to ensure public safety.
• Collaborate with staff to create opportunities for therapists to engage clients in the Green Space.
• Actively participate in quarterly all-staff meetings.
• Communicate and promote Therapeutic Green Space events to clients, staff and community members and foster a supportive environment for all.  

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:

• Must be fully Bilingual English/Spanish
• 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 

• Must be fully Bilingual English/Spanish
• Must possess leadership skills, initiative, positive attitude and engaging personality
• Demonstrated ability to engage with individuals of many demographics and histories i.e. youth, elders, immigrants, economically diverse, people of color and the Latino community
• Significant experience with community organizing and community outreach required 
•  Excellent planning and organizational skills, including the ability to plan events and manage volunteers
• Ability to multitask and  manage several task lists at once
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions (weather, volunteer cancellations, project changing needs)
• Knowledge and experience with organic vegetable gardening and/or farming or willingness to learn
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather (heat, humidity, rain and cold) and do manual labor
• Must possess an outgoing, friendly disposition and professional demeanor at all times  
• 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.
• 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 30 lbs.

Preferred Schedule

The typical work week will range from 36-40 hours spanning certain designated business hours. The schedule is flexible with supervisor approval. Some remote work will be possible while in person work will also be required. Generally, the service member will serve Monday-Friday between 8:00AM and 5:00PM. The member will have flexibility to adjust workday length based on programs facilitated and time served throughout the week, as long as required hours to complete service term are met. 

JOB CODE: El Futuro