eeCorps Environmental Education Technician – Mountain Studies Institute

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 Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) in Durango, CO. MSI is an independent non-profit mountain research and education center. MSI develops science that people can use to address environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains. We conduct and facilitate research, provide educational opportunities, and conduct environmental monitoring.

Service Position Summary: The MSI Bridging Mountains Environmental Education Technician will be tasked with developing and delivering place-based environmental education and stewardship activities centered around MSI’s community-driven water, forest health, and climate-related research and action.

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 MSI’s goals. These duties include:

• Lead water quality and forest health field trips with youth and adults
• Develop forest health field trips and public event activities and help implement them; lead educational activities at public events, such as Animas River Days and National Public Lands Day
• Utilize the results of the ongoing Bridging Mountains EE Needs Assessment to develop and implement programming recommendations
• Develop watershed health interpretive exhibits/activities related to the City of Durango’s interpretive plan for the ‘forestshed’
• Advance MSI’s citizen science programs
• Teaching in class lessons and leading field activities for local students and teachers in the San Juan Mountain Region
• 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 with stewardship and water quality and forest health research

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

The San Juan Mountains reach over 14,000 ft. in elevation and MSI’s outreach activities involve outdoor field trips on and off trail. Activities may involve strenuous physical exercise, exposure to dangerous weather conditions, travel in mountain environments at high altitude, driving or riding as a passenger in motor vehicles including four-wheel drive vehicles, and use of potentially dangerous equipment and tools. The eeCorps member will lead youth activities in these mountain environments and should understand and be willing to learn and practice risk management in such environments.

Qualifications:

• Background in the natural sciences and/or education
• A passion for learning and the outdoors
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• 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 Jewell Coleman, MSI Community Science Program 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 Mountain Studies Institute, 162 Stewart St, Durango, CO 81303.

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.
• $300/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: Mountain Studies Institute shall not discriminate against any employee, volunteer or program participant on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital, parental, veteran or military status, political service, or membership, participation or association with any employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities.

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.