This position is with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, based in Kernersville, NC. The Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) is a voluntary association of local governments - urban and rural - authorized by state law to:

• Make and implement joint regional decisions;

• Provide management, planning and technical services to local governments;

• Identify and solve short and long-term problems best addressed at the regional level;

• Bring together local elected officials on a regular basis, giving them an opportunity to form working relationships:

• Promote regional issues and cooperation among members.

The PTRC is one of 16 regional councils in North Carolina. We are designated by the State of NC to serve as the lead regional organization for the Piedmont Triad region. We serve 74 member governments in a 12 county area. The PTRC is strongly service-oriented; its programs are driven by membership needs. PTRC has an ongoing environmental program addressing water resource issues. As such the PTRC is fully invested in the long-term maintenance and protection of all efforts to improve, restore and maintain the natural environment. Stormwater SMART, a regional program designed to help PTRC Phase II communities meet and exceed National Pollution Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES) requirements, was formed in 2004 through NC DWQ 205(j) funding.

**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 AmeriCorps Service Member will serve communities in the Piedmont Triad with the highest climate vulnerability scores in order to increase their “stormwater resiliency”. The Member will provide outreach and education in these communities about stormwater (what it is), its causes and effects, what stormwater control devices are and how they work, and the ways in which we can prevent stormwater pollution where we live, work, play, and learn. Having an AmeriCorps Service Member for the 2024-2025 will give residents in underserved communities the opportunity to:

• Participate in hands-on citizen science events in at least 24 designated “Friends of Creek Week” locations
• Register for recurring cleanups led by people in their own community/neighborhood through NC Stream Watch
• Engage in family literacy activities about stormwater pollution local libraries
• Understand water-related topics through school programs and home owners’ association meetings, such as soil and water conservation, rules and regulations pertaining to water, freshwater ecosystems, water quantity and quality, the water cycle and others.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Environmental Education- the AmeriCorps member will create outreach materials including newsletter articles, flyers, brochures, social media campaigns, and outreach programs to expand participation in environmental education events around the Piedmont Triad region. The member will also provide outreach and education at fairs and festivals, schools and other venues through hands-on environmental education activities. 

Water Quality - The member will assist in recruiting, training and leading NC Stream Watch volunteers to perform water quality monitoring, storm drain marking, rain garden design and construction, litter removal and other activities designed to improve water quality.

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 

• Bachelor of Sciences or Bachelor of Education, environmental education experience or degree in environmental science, biology, or social studies is preferred. 
• Spanish language would be a valuable skill but is not required.

• 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

• 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

Most of the AmeriCorps member’s time will be spent during normal business hours, however school programs may start at 7:45am throughout the region. Environmental education to older adults involves occasional night meetings and outdoor environmental education events and related outreach often requires weekend work. They will be requested to attend tabling events at a variety or fairs, festivals, and farmers markets on Saturdays. Even with the variability of the schedule, the work week will be 40 hours a week.

JOB CODE: PTRC