Community Engagement Coordinator

Community Engagement Coordinator

Vermont River Conservancy, Statewide

*events and community engagement for position primarily based in Brattleboro*

Join a vibrant team of staff and volunteers partnering to protect and restore Vermont’s rivers. In this role, you’ll have varied responsibilities ranging from in-person and online education and outreach, to communications and event planning, to conservation planning and hands-on land stewardship efforts. This role offers a flexible balance of serving on digital projects and getting out in the field with colleagues and community members

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience at a land trust, getting to know multiple aspects of our conservation efforts, while honing education and outreach skills to engage people as volunteers and stewards, ultimately helping Vermonters understand why it’s important to protect river lands in local communities and engaging them as volunteers and stewards of these special places. It’s a position that has plenty of room for creativity and experimentation, with access to the tools and support of an established nonprofit organization. We embrace a diversified team and foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

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.

As Community Engagement Coordinator, you will play a leading role in education efforts including, outreach and communications in every corner of Vermont. This includes digital education via webinars, blogs, and social media, volunteer engagement, and outreach events in multiple communities. You’ll have the chance to apply graphic design and mapping skills to create educational materials, and the opportunity to get out in the field to support stewardship activities. It’s an opportunity to apply creative thinking, share your passion for rivers, be a leader among supportive staff, and make a difference in communities across the state.

 Essential Functions:

• Educate the public about the benefits of river protection including community safety and flood resilience, plant and wildlife habitat, and recreation and community wellbeing.
• Use print newsletters, press releases, and digital communications to help people understand best practices for land management (riparian plantings, erosion control, wildlife habitat improvements, etc.) and showcase model conservation efforts.
• Develop river-themed educational materials and interactive activities that can be used with a wide range of audiences, whether via school programs, farmer’s markets, or meetings with professionals and partner organizations.
• Plan and implement virtual and in-person educational events such as speaking engagements, film showings, site visits, landowner trainings, activities at farmers markets or similar community events, and more.
• Partner with VRC conservation staff to help identify and engage volunteers, coordinate volunteer days, track volunteer hours and participation, and help recognize and thank volunteers.
• Participate in VRC volunteer days to steward river access sites across the state.
• Help people recreate safely and responsibly at Vermont’s many swimming holes and paddlers’ trails by educating people about best practices for river recreation.
• 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.

Additional Information:

VRC has a highly collaborative team, giving AmeriCorps members the opportunity to serve with and learn from all of our staff, as well as partners and volunteers. We have fun, celebrate successes, and support one another day in and day out. We’ve adopted a hybrid office environment, with a range from staff working almost exclusively remotely to working almost exclusively in-person. Members will need to adhere to the AmeriCorps teleservice policy. Weekly staff meetings via Zoom are an opportunity for personal learning and connection, as well as gaining understanding of activities happening across the organization. Finally, we use tools like Slack and Asana to help facilitate regular communication and daily celebration of one another’s accomplishments.

Position begins September 9th, 2024 and ends August 8th, 2025.

This position is Full Time: Requires 1,720 hours for an average of 40 hours per week for 47 weeks. Member will receive a living allowance of $30,000 (pre-tax) for the service term. Member will receive an education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. 

Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training and networking opportunities.

To Apply: https://vhcb.org/our-programs/vhcb-americorps/positions

For questions about this position or to send additional materials:

Alaya Morning

alaya@vermontriverconservancy.org

802-229-0820

Application deadline: July 31st, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; open until filled.

Additional information on the AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.gov.