eeCorps Outdoor Education Specialist – Lincoln Hills Cares

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 Lincoln Hills Cares in Denver, CO. Lincoln Hills Cares is a nonprofit (founded by philanthropist Robert F. Smith) that develops the next generation of young leaders through outdoor and environmental education, cultural history exploration, and workforce advancement. Our programs empower communities by providing equitable access to and opportunities for outdoor learning. We operate programs at Historic Lincoln Hills, a former African American resort founded in 1922, and in the Metro Denver area.

Service Position Summary: Lincoln Hills Cares is seeking energetic and passionate outdoor-oriented individuals to serve our growing community-based outdoor and environmental education programs. This position will be responsible for assisting with planning, creating, and implementing outdoor and environmental education programs with youth organizations and school groups. The ideal candidate will have a well-rounded background in educational environments, facilitating programs, and working with youth.

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 Lincoln Hills Cares’ goals. These duties include:

• Lead out of school time (OST) outdoor and environmental education programming and the creation and implementation of curriculum with K-12 audiences
• Actively engage with a diverse population of youth
• Become a brand ambassador and representative of programming services offered
• Monitor the care and maintenance of all equipment and facilities
• Display model behavior and maintain open lines of communication
• Ensure the health and safety of participants at all times
• 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

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Ability to work in an outdoor setting in various weather conditions for up to 8 hours
• Able to carry/lift 50 pounds
• Commitment to equity and justice
• Customer Service oriented and willing to go out into schools and communities and engage

Qualifications:

• Experience working with and managing youth
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Customer service-oriented attitude
• Cultural Competency and the willingness to understand and respect cultural values and beliefs
• Organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks
• Computer literate with knowledge of PC systems, Google Workspace, Zoom, etc.
• After-school time availability (2:30pm – 5:30pm)
• Bilingual (Spanish) candidates encouraged to apply
• 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 driver’s license 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 Timothy Flynn, Lincoln Hills Cares’ Director of Programs and Education, 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: The position will be based at Lincoln Hills Cares’ office location (2530 N Washington St, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80205), with the option to serve remotely when not conducting programs. Service will also be performed at schools in the Metro Denver area and at Historic Lincoln Hills (255 Pactolus Lake Rd, Black Hawk, CO 80422) from June-August.

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.
• Health insurance
• Child care assistance, if eligible
• An education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of term of service.
• Access to industry pro deals.
• It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Mileage reimbursement for eeCorps-required travel and for travel to Lincoln Hills location during summer months.
• 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: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is the foundation of Lincoln Hills Cares and the programs and services we offer. Lincoln Hills Cares values diversity in our workplace and the programs we offer. We strive to hire and employ staff that are representative of the youth and communities we serve, which are predominantly People of Color. We also focus on attracting candidates with varying race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic, age, and sexual preference backgrounds. In addition, we believe that staff from different backgrounds contribute a greater variety of ideas, perspectives, knowledge, and skills valuable to our organization and services.

Lincoln Hills Cares incorporates diversity into recruitment, hiring and staffing through:

• Avoiding bias in the recruitment and hiring process, including interviewing
• Outreach and recruitment from a diverse talent pool
• Proactive recruitment through multiple channels and resources, including referrals from community members, as well as current and past staff
• Use of inclusive language in job descriptions
• Highlighting the value of diversity in our job descriptions

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.