eeCorps AmeriCorps Educator – Thorne Nature Experience

Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Thorne Nature Experience in Lafayette, CO. Thorne Nature Experience is a non-profit organization that is committed to building Earth stewardship by connecting youth to nature through joyful, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences. 

Service Position Summary: The AmeriCorps educator will collaborate with Thorne Staff to support the growth and well-being of the children in the preschool, in-school, after school, field trip, and summer camp programs through daily student mentorship and program facilitation.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and Thorne Nature Experience’s goals. These duties include:

• Support school programs 2-3 days per week
• Support Thorne Nature Preschool in morning and afternoon programming 2-3 days per week
• Support Summer Programming 2-5 days a week during the summer camp season
• Assist in the development and implementation of community & family programs to designed inspire families to spend more time outside together on weekdays and weekends
• Attend regular program team meetings
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Assist Volunteer and Field Trips Manager with administrative and land maintenance projects in preparation for program season
• Assist School Programs Manager with curriculum development and supply management
• Assist Marketing Manager with social media and marketing campaigns
• Participate in Thorne Nature Experience special events and outreach activities
• Attend Thorne staff meetings, trainings, professional development, special events and outreach activities

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• This position requires the ability to serve outside year-round in various weather conditions
• The member is frequently required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• The member may occasionally need to lift and/or carry a preschool student or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds
• The member must be willing to self-reflect and change/adapt strategies in order to best support diverse populations of children and parents as well as be open to working with diverse learning styles and needs

Qualifications:

• Experience working with children of diverse ages in informal outdoor settings
• Desire to learn more about child development and nature-based education and support excellent place-based, child-centered, emergent curriculum
• Experience relating to and communicating with diverse audiences, especially Latinx participants and families; Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate especially MS Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and Google Drive
• Reliable outdoor clothing for variable weather conditions including extreme summer and winter temperatures (Thorne can help obtain needed items and offers pro-deal opportunities for members)
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• High school diploma or GED required
• Ability to pass criminal history checks required
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required
• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required

Term of Service: This is a full-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 1,700 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week). The position begins 9/3/24 and ends 8/15/25. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Sarah Grove, Thorne Nature Experience Volunteer Manager, as well as by Erin Dreps, eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2024-25 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at Thorne Nature Experience, 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO 80026.

Benefits:

• Biweekly (two times per month) living allowance of $913.05. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
• $191.30/month housing stipend
• Health insurance
• Child care assistance, if eligible
• An education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of term of service.
• It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Mileage reimbursement for eeCorps-required travel.
• Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need.
• Ability to participate in regional EE leadership councils; option to obtain CAEE’s nationally-recognized Professional Environmental Educator Certification.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Thorne Nature Experience is an equal opportunity organization.  Thorne Nature Experience does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender variance or expression, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.  This Anti-Discrimination Policy applies to, but is not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of Board Members, selection of vendors, and provision of services.

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. CAEE defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone to the field of environmental education and the Alliance, including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

Position will be filled pending grant award.