Education Technician – Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership, Sequoia Riverlands Trust

Organizational Background:

Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) is a regional, non-profit land trust dedicated to conserving the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley. Our mission is to conserve the lands and waters of California’s heartland. To do so, SRT engages landowners, farmers, conservationists, business partners, and governmental agencies to collaborate on land conservation throughout our region.

For over 20 years, SRT has worked to protect over 43,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands across nine counties in southern California, including Tulare, Fresno, Merced, Kings, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and Inyo counties. Over 4,000 acres of this land is permanently protected native habitat in the form of seven nature preserves located within Tulare County. The wealth, productivity, and beauty of this land inspire our work to conserve it for the prosperity and enjoyment of future generations.

In addition to conservation, SRT is dedicated to educating and engaging people of all ages from the local community. By providing hands-on, outdoor educational opportunities to schools and the general public, SRT facilities instrumental and purposeful educational programs that instill a lasting bond between the community and the land, fostering a greater appreciation for stewardship and conservation. From providing field trips at our nature preserves; hands-on, work based learning internships for high school students; regular community outreach and volunteer opportunities for the general public; and more, our staff aims to cultivate a sense of connection between humans and nature, and foster a sense of stewardship in the community for years to come.

Number of Member Positions at this Site:

• 2 (Two) Education Technicians
• 1 Stewardship Technician (see other position description and service plan)

Site Supervisor’s Name(s) and Title(s):

• Bud Darwin, Education Director (supervisor for Education Technicians)
• Jonathan Vaughn, Land Steward (supervisor for Stewardship Technician)

Position Description:

The central mission of all SRT education programs is to increase public interest in and understanding of the Central San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada foothill regions and to inspire learners to become lifelong stewards and protectors of the land. The focus of our programs is to serve the local community, which consists of a high percentage of low income, disadvantaged, and underserved populations.

As an AmeriCorps Member with Sequoia Riverlands Trust, the Education Technician will serve with the Education Director, Education Coordinators, and other SRT staff members to support education, outreach, and volunteer events throughout the year. The Education Technician will help coordinate and lead field trip activities at SRT’s nature preserves. They will also support various established programs, including two 10-month long internships for high schoolers, focused on hands-on learning and exposure to future careers, as well as a yearlong after school program at Visalia elementary schools. This support includes developing and delivering curriculum centered on the local environment and ecosystems, natural and human history of the region, Native cultures, and agriculture.

The Technician will serve with SRT staff to develop, coordinate, and implement regular public education and stewardship activities on SRT’s nature preserves. These activities range from guided nature hikes to citizen science activities, special events, and active restoration work in the field.

The Education Technician will also support the outreach and volunteer recruitment efforts of SRT, by reaching out to educators, local organizations and community partners, and the general public via in-person tabling events, general outreach and community engagement, monthly e-newsletters, and social media.

Site-Specific Training Provided:

Sequoia Riverlands Trust supports the member development and career development of its AmeriCorps members. SRT provides overall site training and orientation, as well as introduction to educational bestpractices, conservation and land management practices, native wildlife identification, horticultural best-practices, and more. If schedules allow, SRT will support any interests that AmeriCorps members have or want to pursue, including attending conferences, trainings, and other programs that support the overall position description and service plan of the member.

Things to Note:

The Education Technician will be expected to serve in a variety of environments, including inside a school classroom, outdoors in the field, and in the office. AmeriCorps members must be flexible with schedules and daily hours, as every day is different at SRT, and schedules are often changing as new education or stewardship events are scheduled. Members but be able and willing to walk or serve for long hours/long distances in a variety of weather conditions.

Sequoia Riverlands has a list of required qualifications for the Education Technician, listed below:

• At least 1 year of teaching experience working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, or informal educator, OR
• Experience recruiting and working with volunteers and members of the general public
• Ability to serve with people from various social, political, cultural, and educational backgrounds
• Interest in serving with at-risk and underserved youth and adults
• Public speaking and outreach experience
• Rudimentary knowledge and understanding of the mission and goals of Sequoia Riverlands Trust
• Rudimentary knowledge of ecology and biology, and basic knowledge of Central California (ecology, weather patterns, environmental issues, etc.)
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain, carry moderately heavy loads (40 lbs.), withstand high temperatures for several hours at a time
• Ability to write creatively and well
• Willingness to serve weekends or 6 day weeks
• Must possess energy and enthusiasm, as well as the patience and group management skills needed to work with people of all ages (2 – 92)
• Must be creative, resourceful, and possess the ability to adapt to changing circumstances quickly
• Must be well organized, efficient and possess good time management skills
• Must be able to work well independently and as a part of a team
• Valid Driver’s License, insurance, and DMV Driving record is required before driving SRT vehicle
• Reliable access to personal transportation

These additional qualifications are desired, but not required:

• Bachelor’s degree in the social science, ecology, biology or environmental science
• 2-5 years teaching experience
• Ability to be flexible with teaching curriculum both in-class and outdoors
• Prior experience working for a non-profit or small business
• Ability to read, write, or speak Spanish

Qualifications:

• Must be 18+ years of age and high school graduates or GED recipients (or minimum of 17 and working toward a high school diploma or GED); members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award; meeting full list of member eligibility requirements in 45 CFR §2522.200(a)
• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident
• Must participate in a national criminal history background check pursuant to 45 CFR §2540.200-206

Benefits:

• Up to 27,500 living allowance for term of service, $2,500 per month.
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of minimum hours for enrolled term of service.
• California For All Education Award in the amount of to supplement the Segal Education Award for a combined total of $10,000. (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Healthcare, Dental, Vision coverage for members (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Childcare assistance if eligible (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Student Loan Deferment & Interest Forbearance if eligible
• A $500 Member Development fund to support training, networking, and professional development opportunities that can be utilized and will be valued by future employers after the service term is completed.