Nature Rocks Diversity and Inclusion AmeriCorps Member

The North Carolina Zoo’s mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world. The AmeriCorps member will be helping us achieve our mission through our conservation and education initiatives. The North Carolina Zoo is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. As a state agency it is our job to serve all the citizens of NC both those that are able to visit the Zoo but also those who are not for a variety of reasons. The AmeriCorps member will help us reach new audiences (both in-person and virtually) by building bridges between our environmental education programs and the communities that are under-resourced in order to build a more resilient, accessible and diverse connection for these communities to the outdoors.

Purpose of the Position

The purpose of these positions is to help the North Carolina Zoo maintain our  climate education and community outreach programming into local underserved communities both in-person and virtually. The AmeriCorps member will find out what these communities need, their environmental concerns, and wants in the way of climate focused education (including in-person and virtual opportunities to connect) and create a new outreach program that focuses on what we learn from the community needs assessment. This position will create at least three educational opportunities for each partner group that aligns with what was found in the focus groups/ surveys. Some of these opportunities will be designed to align with the Zoo conservation efforts when possible. This position will also create at least three opportunities designed for the target population to experience recreational opportunities in natural areas (e.g., hiking, birding, camping, paddling).

In addition, they will help to reach new (DEAI audiences) and existing audiences through virtual programming. CES section of the Zoo maintains our own Facebook Group Adventures in EdZOOcation. This member will make more inclusive content (e.g., videos, activities, graphics) for these weekly virtual offerings as well as host quarterly live programming targeting our underserved communities. This member will also use these platforms to help further strengthen the connection with our Nature Rock’s communities. In return the AmeriCorps members will learn more about programming needs in relation to DEAI, gaining valuable evaluation/assessment skills, learning to work with local partners, and becoming strong interpreter/educators.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

Community Outreach – These positions will reach out to targeted underserved communities to learn more about their needs, concerns, and wants in relation to climate education and spending time in nature. This will be done through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. As part of this they will better understand the Nature Rock’s model and how it might need to be modified for these communities. The AmeriCorps member would assist with all Nature Rock’s programs throughout the year of their service. They will also continue to develop our partnerships with local organization, so we can work together to accomplish our goals.

Environmental Education – The AmeriCorps members will then design programs and outreach materials for these communities. They will create and host at minimum 6 environmental education/outreach programs for each of the identified communities each year and work with both the community and partner organizations to build a foundation for the future of the program including the afterschool clubs. 

Nature Rock’s program management – To better understand the Nature Rock’s model and how it might need to be modified for these new communities the AmeriCorps members would assist with all Nature Rock’s programs throughout the year of their service.

Program Requirements:

• Demonstrate regular, timely attendance and adherence to hours as scheduled.
• Commit to service for the service term of 11 months, serving the minimum number of 1700 hours.
• Participate in all required AmeriCorps sponsored training sessions, meetings, and travel as necessary. Community Stewardship Coordinators will receive training on best practices for community engagement, group facilitation, and communicating about climate change with a focus on pursuing climate justice.
• Actively participate in service projects and commemorating days such as 9/11 Day of Service (as applicable). These may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental studies, communications, natural sciences, or early childhood education is preferred. Or high school diploma/GED and at least two years of education experience working with a variety of audiences in a role such as: camp counselor, schoolteacher, or non-formal educator (e.g. Zoo, Aquarium, Museum, Park, or Nature Center).

• Effective oral and written communication skills are required. Spanish language is preferred but not required for the position.

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

Participants should be able to move around in a variety of different terrains, be able and willing to move 25 lbs., and be able and willing to actively participate in outdoor environmental education activities and programs in all weather conditions. 

 Experience with a combination of digital still cameras, digital video cameras, iPhones, iPads, microphones, and/or video editing software, and virtual programming techniques is preferred but not required for the position. We will provide training as needed. 

Compensation and Benefits

• Resilience Corps NC operates a 11 month 1700-hour service position that offers a living stipend of $31,000
• Health insurance reimbursement for premiums purchased on the ACA Healthcare Exchange
• Childcare assistance
• Professional development opportunities
• Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $7,395 from the National Service Trust.