Community Engagement Coordinator

Join an active, passionate, and down-to-earth team in connecting people with the conserved lands of the Champlain Valley! A typical day at MALT is what many people dream of doing on the weekend. You’ll serve side-by-side with volunteers and a dedicated staff team while maintaining the 19-mile Trail Around Middlebury, surrounded by forest, pasture, and views of mountains in every direction. Then you’ll hunt for salamanders, teach orienteering, and play nature-based games outside with seven-year-olds all afternoon. In between, you’ll grow as a coordinator, communicator, and environmental steward. Being a part of MALT means joining a vibrant community of like-minded nature lovers and protectors. Come to MALT to connect people to nature! 

This position is part of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps (VHCB AmeriCorps).  The VHCB AmeriCorps program supports the innovative dual-goal approach to creating stable affordable housing opportunities for Vermont residents while preserving the natural and working landscape.  VHCB AmeriCorps is a national service program that places members with non-profit housing or land and energy conservation organizations around the state. 

The Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT) serves with our community to conserve natural and productive landscapes, and to enhance scenic, recreational, and educational opportunities. Based in Middlebury, VT and serving Addison County, this AmeriCorps Member position will maintain and protect 3,700+ acres of conserved lands and 30 miles of public recreation trails. The member will inspire and foster a strong environmental ethic through environmental education for youth and adults while inspiring responsible outdoor recreation. This position is an ideal fit for someone seeking experience with all facets of a land trust, including conservation, education, communication, and volunteer engagement.  

Essential Functions: 

• Teach environmental education programs for audiences ages 3 to adulthood, including after-school programs, vacation camps, and public programs;
• Co-develop and teach summer day camps for children ages 3-14, mentor and supervise teen counselors-in-training;
• Recruit, coordinate, and engage 100+ volunteers on the trails Manage and serve side-by-side with volunteers to maintain 30+ miles of trail;
• Directly steward MALT’s conserved lands alongside volunteers with an emphasis on monitoring lands for compliance with easements and deed-use restrictions, and invasive species management;
• Serve directly in MALT’s 4-year campaign to increase equitable public access to MALT’s 3,700+ acres of public lands and 30+ miles of trails;
• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps
• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days, Events, and Program Initiatives.
• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.

Secondary Functions: 

• Help publicize environmental education and community events via social media, website, flyers, and blogs;
• Contribute to MALT’s communication with our community through authoring and designing e-news updates, seasonal newsletters, and more;
• Assist with special events as an educator (e.g., Middlebury Green-Up Day, the TAM Trek – an annual race on the Trail Around Middlebury)

Desired Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, or related field;
• 1-2years of teaching experience, preferably in an outdoor or alternative education setting. Professional experience can be substituted for formal education;
• A strong conservation and environmental ethic that can be communicated to the public through education, events, volunteer coordination, and land stewardship;
• Knowledge of or interest in learning basic nature-connection skills and pedagogy, such as nature art, sit spots, and storytelling;
• Knowledge of or interest in learning the use of simple hand tools such as drills, hammers, weed whackers, etc.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude while serving up to 8 hours on your feet, in inclement weather, and with people of diverse ages, abilities, and interests;
• Project leadership experience, ability to set short- and long-term goals while staying independently motivated, strong time management skills;
• Experience developing and leading outdoor environmental education activities, as well as working with audiences of multiple ages, ability to guide a group of up to 30 children/adults;
• Love of outdoor exploration and questioning, ability to model curiosity and wonder about the natural world;
• Truly enjoys serving independently as well as part of a team;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience with marketing and social media tools such as Facebook, Instagram, Mailchimp, and Survey Monkey.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Access to a personal vehicle required; non-local mileage reimbursement provided;
• Be US citizen or have permanent resident status;
• Be at least 18 years of age upon entering the Pre-Service Orientation or 17 years of age with verified parental permission;
• Be a high school graduate, have a GED certificate, or be willing to work towards a GED as part of the service-term.  A member cannot have dropped out of high school to join AmeriCorps.
• Has not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and is willing to undergo an National Service Criminal History Check;
• Be committed to the VHCB AmeriCorps program’s ethic of service, appreciation of diversity, and personal and professional development of its participants;
• Have the ability and enthusiasm to drive to, attend, and participate in all required trainings and events, and be prepared to drive up to 2-3 hours each way.
• Available to regularly serve 40 hours per week