Job Type: Paid Internship
Salary Details: $18,000 living allowance for 11 months. $6,895 education award upon completion of service.
Deadline: Jul 31, 2023

Live, work and explore the towering coniferous forests and rugged coastline iconic to the southern Oregon coast. The Estuary Explorers Educator designs and implements after school activities that immerse elementary students in engaging science, technology, engineering, art & math (STEAM) activities. Teaching topics are focused on estuaries, watersheds, local culture, and spectacular landscapes. The Educator will work with guidance from the experienced Reserve education team, following a framework developed by previous members. The Educator recruits and trains high school student interns to assist with delivery of extracurricular activities based on science and exploration. The Educator will maintain and build relationships with schools and other partners in the community to continue to bring these valuable programs to the students who need them most. The Educator will also support and learn from other Reserve education programs and research projects, incorporating that knowledge into the Estuary Explorers lessons. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (to include, but not limited to)

  • Continue working with Coos Bay and North Bend high schools and Oregon Coast STEM Hub to recruit high school interns.
  • Pursue additional school sites to expand program reach to other schools or districts in Coos County.
  • Recruit and retain volunteers from the local community to deliver activities.
  • Conduct evaluations and assessments to inform success and long-term sustainability for the program.
  • Complete all state and federal trainings by required deadlines; at the Reserve these include a Department of State Lands background check, safe driver training, workplace harassment training and IT security training, individual school district background checks.
  • Assist with other Reserve education programs in regional schools and the community when not working on Estuary Explorers.
  • Collaborate with other education providers in the community to enhance afterschool programming.
  • Implement and/or develop systems to inform Volunteer Management Goals.
  • Complete and submit all necessary UCA paperwork and reports in a timely manner. 
  • Attend and complete all UCA training and service requirements including orientation, trainings, team meetings, and National Days of Service (Make a Difference Day, MLK Jr. Day, and a June Service Event). 
  • Wear AmeriCorps apparel and/or appropriate identifiers while performing service or attending official events. 

MARGINAL RESPONSIBILITIES (to include, but not limited to)

  • Develop lessons and activities that contribute to Reserve education.
  • Pursue methods to support participation from high school interns, such as transportation, school credit, etc.
  • Identify other methods to provide estuary programming to audiences currently not participating.
  • Assist with and teach about research, monitoring and stewardship work at the Reserve.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to read, write and communicate effectively at an 8th grade level or above. 
  • Willingness to work closely with children and adults, and speak in front of groups of various sizes.
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
  • Creativity, flexibility and critical thinking skills.
  • Current US driver’s license.
  • Leadership skills, or an interest and willingness to build those skills.
  • 17 years of age or older, at beginning of service term. 
  • U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident. 
  • Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving an education award. 
  • Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying. 
  • Must successfully pass a National Service Criminal History Check provided through UCAN and/or Project Host Site. 
  • Regular and reliable attendance. 
  • Have not previously served four terms in an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members are only eligible for the equivalent of two full-time education awards in their lifetime. Applicants must disclose if they have ever been removed for cause from any national service program. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 4 years of study in environmental science, education, or related degree
  • Experience working with children, especially in outdoor settings
  • Ability to walk unassisted up to 5 miles over uneven terrain such as unpaved trails, mudflats and marshes
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
  • Experience working with or coordinating volunteers
  • Familiarity with computers, including Microsoft Office programs

SERVICE CONDITIONS

  • Office, visitor center, schools or other community buildings
  • Paved and unpaved trails
  • Field sites in forested uplands, wetlands and bay habitats including boat channels, mudflats, and marshes.

PHYSICAL & INTELLECTUAL DEMANDS

  • Walking or standing for extended periods of time, sometimes on unstable surfaces 
  • Working outdoors in varying weather conditions
  • Ability to work well independently and as a part of a team.
  • Patience and resilience in the face of multi-faceted problems
  • Capacity to receive and process lots of new information quickly.

EQUIPMENT USED
Computers and tablets, standard software programs, cameras, microscopes, spotting scopes, GPS units, field equipment such as measuring tapes, quadrats, nets, yard tools, 12-passanger van, minivan, kayaks, multi-passenger canoes.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

  • Reserve vehicles are available for service-related activities. 
  • Personal vehicle is essential as public transportation is not an option. 

MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE

  • $18,000 living allowance paid over the 11-month service term (approx. $1,636.36 monthly, before taxes). 
  • $6,895.00 education award upon successful completion of the term of service which can be used to repay qualified student loans or for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used. Members that are 55 and older may transfer the award to one child or grandchild.
  • May be eligible for Loan Forbearance & Interest Accrual Repayment on qualified loans (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
  • Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included). 
  • Child care allowance for those who qualify. 
  • Professional development, trainings and networking opportunities 

EQUITY & INCLUSION
UCA values diversity and seeks to provide an inclusive space that rejects intolerance. Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. UCA is an AA/EEO employer. UCA provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals and conducts all activities in fully accessible settings

HOW TO APPLY
Application Deadline: July 31, 2023
Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis as qualified candidates are identified, so early application is strongly encouraged as member selection may be made prior to the application deadline. 

STEP 1: Apply to United Communities AmeriCorps: 
• Submit AmeriCorps Application
• To find this position, click on “Advanced Opportunity Search” and search “UCA” in Program Name
• Submit application, UCA will then forward it to site supervisor for review who then waits for items in Step 2

STEP 2: Apply to Project Site Supervisor:
Conducts first round interviews on a rolling basis and recommends top candidates to UCA
Email the following items to Jaime Belanger at jaime.c.belanger@dsl.oregon.gov  : 
• Resume
• Cover Letter (1 page)
• Contact information for three References (name, title, relationship, email, & phone)

STEP 3: The Project Site Supervisor submits top applicants to UCA for a second interview. Once top applicant interviews are complete, applicants will be notified of selection decision