TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator (LSC) with Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut 

About TerraCorps:

TerraCorps is an AmeriCorps affiliated environmental nonprofit growing a more equitable ecosystem of people and organizations to protect and steward land for broader good. Working at the intersection of land conservation, sustainable agriculture, and food justice, we seek to bridge the gap between the urban, rural and suburban land movements historically segregated by socio-economic divides. Through our generative service, training and partnership model, we cultivate future conservation leaders and offer immediate capacity support to the local organizations they serve.

About Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut:

Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, Inc. (ELCCT) is an environmental and conservation organization that educates over 20,000 school children each year, runs the Indian Rock Summer Camp, and implements several nature events and festivals for families. ELCCT’s two education facilities are the Indian Rock Nature Preserve and the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center, our community nature center. The mission of ELCCT is “to inspire the appreciation and enjoyment of nature through education and conservation, fostering a healthy environment and an improved quality of life“. Our Core Culture Values are: Educate– We are committed to providing opportunities for all to learn about and experience the environment thus inspiring appreciation and enjoyment by present and future generations. Protect– We are committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment through sustainable practices and promoting a culture that heightens awareness of conservation and preservation. Respect– We are committed to respect for the environment and teach respect for all. Collaborate– We are committed to engaging the power of an open and inclusive community to ignite creative thinking and solve problems to nurture a healthy environment and improve the quality of life.

In addition to the Indian Rock Nature Preserve and the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center, ELCCT’s sanctuaries include The Ernest & Ruth Hart Nature Preserve in Burlington, The Shepard Nature Preserve, The Shangri-La Nature Preserve, South Mountain Preserve, Fox Hollow Preserve, Sunny Dale, Hurley Hill, and Lishman Property all located in Bristol, George Minor Preserve on the border of Bristol and Burlington, and Toffolon in Southington. These landholdings total over 750 acres in 3 towns.

COVID-19 Information:

Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, Inc. mandates that all staff and TerraCorps Service Members be fully vaccinated before the start of the TerraCorps service year. The reason we are mandating vaccination is because the Member will spend a significant amount of time serving in-person with volunteers, staff, or community members.  Therefore, the expectation is that all staff and AmeriCorps members are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut has proposed the following potential project(s) for their Land Stewardship Coordinator:

• Organize and supervise individual and corporate volunteers who will be recruited to assist with the construction of a new mile-long Universally Accessible Trail at the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center. This trail will allow equitable access to nature and provide environmental educational resources for underrepresented members of our community. The LSC will also take a leadership role in the design of education material and coordinate outreach efforts to draw attention to the trail project and will lead and mentor volunteers who will work to create the trail by laying crushed stone, creating bridges, and building boardwalks suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and those with vision limitations.
• Create and implement a Management Plan for a newly acquired, historically and environmentally important, parcel of land called Pigeon Hill that lies adjacent to the current borders of the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center. The LSC will collaborate with volunteers, and other conservation organizations to create maps, propose trail layouts, mark property boundaries, locate and map habitat management areas for shrub land, pollinator, and forest species.
• Create a Master Plan that outlines management needs for three (3) of ELCCT’s properties.
• This includes the identification of sanctuary boundaries, compilation of acquisition data and surveys of the biological, cultural, and recreational attributes of each sanctuary. The LSC will assist in recruitment and training of a new volunteer group (Land Stewardship Corps) that will help monitor those sanctuaries and the LSC will mentor volunteers about the about the importance of land preservation, land management techniques, threats to biodiversity and natural history.

Required AmeriCorps Qualifications:

• A US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.
• At least 18 years old
• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• No more than three previous terms as an AmeriCorps member
• Pass a criminal history background check, including an FBI check

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of Social Media platforms
• Able to serve both independently and as a member of a team
• Comfort navigating computer software programs such as Word, Excel, Photoshop and InDesign (or other graphic design program).
• Training and experience pertinent to the Land Stewardship Coordinator position and projects listed above
• Experience organizing, training, and educating community members and volunteers
• Experience with natural systems and identifying plant and wildlife species
• General knowledge of construction and tools relating to the building of trails and boardwalks.

AmeriCorps Member Eligibility Requirements:

This year’s TerraCorps members will serve from August 30th, 2021-July 29, 2022. All Members are expected to serve full-time, commit to serve for the entire 11-month term, and complete at least 1,700 hours of service, including time spent in trainings and service with the full TerraCorps team. Weekly service averages 38 hours and commonly includes some night and/or weekend activities. Training hours will not exceed 20% of the member’s total term of service. Members are required to serve and participate in a TerraCorps service day on MLK National Day of Service.

AmeriCorps programs provide equal opportunities. TerraCorps will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request.

Member Compensation and Benefits:

• TerraCorps Members will receive a living allowance of up to $15,600 (pre-tax) over the 11-month term of service, which is $624 (pre-tax) per 25 biweekly pay periods.
• TerraCorps assists Members in obtaining health insurance coverage. Reimbursement of costs may be available.
• Childcare assistance may be provided in cases of financial need.
• Upon successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps Members receive a taxable $6,345 education award that can be used for future education or to pay off existing school loans. See nationalservice.gov/resources/edaward for info and restrictions.
• TerraCorps Members are eligible for forbearance of most federally-guaranteed student loans, as well as payment of interest accrued during service.
• TerraCorps Members will receive mentorship, training, and career development opportunities while serving directly with community-based nonprofits.
• TerraCorps Members experience the personal rewards of national service and community engagement.

Note: TerraCorps members are responsible for their own housing and must have access to reliable transportation.