Volunteer Specialist 2023

About EarthCorps

EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit that envisions an equitable world where all people and nature thrive together and seeks to build a global community of leaders through local environmental service.  Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive (six-month/year-long) training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in community building, environmental restoration, and reflective practice.  EarthCorps is committed to becoming a more liberated and anti-racist organization. Through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, EarthCorps is building a network of leaders who have the cultural competency and skills to build a new future, while restoring vital lands and waters and connecting people to nature. This work is ongoing and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about our work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization toward a healthier, welcoming, and sustainable community for us all.      

Position Summary

This position is managed by the Corps Operations Manager and supervised by the Senior Partnerships Manager, and is offered through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies. This position works as part of the EarthCorps Volunteer and Community Engagement Team and assists in all aspects of volunteer organization, coordination, and community engagement events.  

 This position combines field experience and office experience. Field work includes onsite leadership of volunteers of all ages, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, facilitating outdoor educational activities, maintaining tools and equipment, and completing additional non-volunteer field projects with other crew members. Office tasks include planning for volunteer events, maintaining of systems, and designing and implementing outreach activities and materials for a variety of audiences. Volunteer Specialists work closely as part of the team with a fair amount of time working independently. Volunteer Specialists will participate fully in an orientation and designated retreats, workshops, and trainings throughout the year.  

Duties & Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Implementation:   

• Organize and lead high quality, safe, and educational volunteer events every Saturday and some weekdays. 
• Motivate, educate, and inspire EarthCorps volunteers. 
• Assist project managers with the coordination of volunteer events, field projects, site restoration planning, and documentation of work completed. 
• Assist with volunteer recruitment activities such as hosting information tables and posting fliers. 
• Maintain EarthCorps Volunteer Program materials, tools & vehicles. 
• Complete non-volunteer restoration projects as needed by the organization.  

Communication:   

• Strive for professional, clear, timely and open communication amongst staff and corps participants. 
• Prepare oral and written reports, including before and after photos of volunteer events, work logs, work project summaries, equipment use and maintenance logs, and incident reports.  
• Meet regularly with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Team. 
• Communicate clearly and regularly within the team to ensure materials, vehicles, and staffing is adequate and appropriate to meet volunteer event needs.  

Program Support: 

• Foster and encourage leadership development in oneself as well as other corps participants. 
• Lead by example while serving alongside EarthCorps restoration crews and community volunteers in all weather conditions. 
• Support other corps members in volunteer management training. 

Habitat restoration is physically demanding service work. Each year new corps members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements of the position. The Volunteer Specialist must have the capacity to perform restoration tasks in challenging physical situations and have the ability to motivate others. Service work regularly involves:  

• Long days of repetitively shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools. 
• Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. and bending. 
• Working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat/cold/rain. 
• Walking on steep or uneven terrain up to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weight. 
• Potentially performing herbicide applications. 

Please consider the nature of the work prior to applying and let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns. 

Required Qualifications

• Desire to engage with people of various ages and backgrounds in an outdoor setting.  
• Capacity to delegate, manage time, multitask, stay organized and be responsive. 
• Commitment and ability to serve for the full AmeriCorps term. 

Desired Qualifications

• Capacity to work with and adapt leadership style for diverse groups of community volunteers.  
• Effective cross-cultural communication including sensitivity to and awareness of cultural differences and a commitment to working in an inclusive environment. 
• Experience in environmental restoration or a similar work environment. 
• Experience leading others in outdoor activities.  
• Ability to bring positivity, humor, and optimism to challenging situations. 
• Demonstrated ability to make safe decisions with limited information. 
• Ability to commit to self-care in a highly social office and program environment. 
• Capacity to take initiative and stay motivated in an office setting. 
• Familiarity with restoration techniques and natural history of urban green spaces of the Pacific Northwest. 
• Valid driver’s license and comfort driving 12 passenger vans and large trucks. 

Corps Member Terms of Service

• PERIOD OF SERVICE: February 15, 2023 – December 15, 2023 
• TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, alternating Tuesdays off (1/2 hour lunch does not count towards AmeriCorps hours), some evenings, overnights, and weekends are required. 
• RATE OF PAY: Stipend of $2,618.18/month before taxes 
• STATUS: Temporary - Enrolled in AmeriCorps through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps members must abide by policies set by CNCS and complete 1,700 hours of service, including mandatory trainings. 
• Criminal history checks and 2 references will be reviewed to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements 

EarthCorps does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or, religion.

Benefits

• AmeriCorps education award of $6495 upon successful completion of a minimum of 1,700 hours plus all EarthCorps program activities 
• Education & Training 
• Days off permissible as designated by EarthCorps (with 6 personal days as standard). 
• Holidays will be paid as designated by EarthCorps. 
• Medical Insurance  
• Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation  
• Boots, pants, t-shirt, rain gear, and safety equipment provided 

Deadlines and Start Dates

Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received by January 1st, 2023.  

To ensure your materials are considered, please submit your completed application early as you are able. After this priority date, new applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

We encourage applicants from all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply, especially those from historically marginalized communities.

To Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below to begin your application. You will be asked to submit basic personal information, a current resume, and a cover letter answering the following question; "Why do you want to serve at EarthCorps, as a Volunteer Specialist? What attracted you, and how will this term of service help you reach your goals?