JCWC is Hiring!

Confluence AmeriCorps Position

The Confluence AmeriCorps program advances environmental justice through innovative partnerships with local organizations in the Portland metropolitan area. These positions are life changing service opportunities where the Member engages in addressing critical, environmental needs in low-income communities and communities of color.  This position is a dynamic combination of serving with a Project Partner on a dedicated project (80%) and joining a team of other Confluence AmeriCorps Members for professional and leadership development opportunities (20%).

Term of Service
September 9, 2015 – July 29, 2016 (11 months – 1700 hours). Closing date for this advertisement is July 3, 2015.

Project PARTNER
Johnson Creek Watershed Council

https://www.jcwc.org/

Position Title
Outreach and Riparian Specialist

Position Summary

In Partnership with the Confluence Environmental Center, the Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) seeks a skilled and committed Outreach and Riparian Specialist to connect with watershed communities to advance streamside forest restoration along Johnson Creek and its tributaries. This position will build on the successes of previous AmeriCorps members.  The JCWC is an environmental non-profit whose mission is to promote restoration and stewardship of a healthy Johnson Creek watershed through sound science and community engagement. Established in 1994, the Council plays a vital role in engaging a wide diversity of representative stakeholders and coordinating a holistic approach to improving watershed health.  The Johnson Creek watershed encompasses parts of the cities of Damascus, Gresham, Happy Valley, and Milwaukie,  as well as outer southeast Portland.  These communities include significant Slavic, Hispanic and Asian minorities, as well as rural, suburban and urban communities with a wide range of income levels, political views, and land uses.  The Watershed Council seeks to engage with these diverse communities to improve wildlife habitat and access for people to natural areas.

The Outreach and Riparian Specialist will conduct landowner and volunteer recruitment, and will coordinate plantings and maintenance with volunteers and restoration partners (e.g. Conservation Districts, cities, counties, other non-profits).  S/he will also design, implement, and maintain riparian restoration projects along Johnson Creek and tributaries under the supervision of the JCWC Riparian Program Manager.  S/he will manage a number of existing projects aimed at restoring streamside forests and will help maintain a number of “completed” restoration sites. We hope this will be a bilingual position, with a focus on recruiting ethnically-diverse people to participate in JCWC events. The technician will assist with volunteer recruitment at two tabling events, organize eight volunteer planting or weed control events, and plan and host two neighborhood or streamside resident outreach events.  JCWC is uniquely positioned to fund and implement wide-scale streamside forest restoration with a solid reputation for successful projects, over 1,300 volunteers annually, and a large, fully-stocked toolshed.

Essential Functions (to include, but not limited to):

• Conduct outreach and recruit private landowners for restoration projects and be a technical resource and offer trainings for landowners with a goal of increasing landowner participation in long-term maintenance. This could include organizing landowner tours / restoration showcases on private property to encourage peer-to-peer sharing – occasionally in the evenings or on weekends. (10% of time).
• Serve with the JCWC Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator to plan, recruit for, and coordinate volunteer planting and maintenance events at sites identified for volunteer stewardship, occasionally in the evenings or on weekends. This will include building partnerships with ethnically-diverse organizations. (30% of time)
• Design, implement, and maintain riparian reforestation projects along Johnson Creek and tributaries; conduct initial site assessments and develop planting, monitoring, and weed management plans; order plants and supplies; track and report results and expenditures. (30% of time)
• Conduct project monitoring and reporting at completed and ongoing restoration projects – e.g. photomonitoring, vegetation cover transects, and update project descriptions on the Conservation Registry, etc. (5% of time).
• Manage the tool room, help maintain a clean office, attend meetings, respond to emails, etc. (5% of time).
• The Member will participate in Confluence led professional development activities: Professional Development Series, completing a Change Agent Project, team meetings, National Service events and other self-directed development opportunities (20% of time).
• Complete and submit all necessary Confluence/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
• Abide by Confluence and AmeriCorps program policies.
• Attend and complete all Confluence/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, training’s, team meetings and national service days.
• Wear Confluence uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.

Requirements

• Desire to serve with diverse groups of people to promote environmental stewardship and an ethic of service.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Background (education or specific experience) in natural resource management, botany, river restoration, or a related field.
• Experience designing, installing, and maintaining riparian restoration projects.
• Familiarity with Johnson Creek watershed flora and Pacific Northwest restoration strategies and species.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and to walk uneven terrain through adverse conditions.
• Computer Proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail, photo downloading, basic file organization.
• Self-motivated with high standards, and a good written and verbal communicator.
• A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a diverse team.
• 18 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.
• S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving award.
• Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through the Individuals State of Residence, State of Service, and FBI criminal identification systems. Also, must obtain a satisfactory report from the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) prior to the start of the position.
• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
• AmeriCorps Members can enroll in multiple terms of service that add up to the value of two full-time education awards. In other words, you can blend summer, part-time and full-time service positions and receive awards as long as the combined service terms don’t exceed two full terms. You can also serve additional terms and elect not to receive an award. Please see http://edaward.org/guidebook/multiple-terms for full information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Digital mapping experience, ideally in ArcGIS
• Expertise in vegetation monitoring
• Experience managing volunteers, youth work-crews, and contractors
• Willingness to use herbicides where appropriate (herbicide applicator permit/experience a plus)
• Spanish, Russian, or other language proficiency.
• Familiarity with low-income communities and/or communities of color.
• Personal vehicle a plus, but not required.

Member Benefits Include

• A taxable, monthly living allowance ($12,530 paid over the term of service).
• Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members receive an education award of $5,730. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans or for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used.
• Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
• Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents).
• Child care allowance for those who qualify.
• May be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Professional development, trainings and networking opportunities.

Service Project Location

• 1900 SE Milport Rd, Suite B; Milwaukie, OR 97222

Transportation Information

• Member will have access to Council vehicle for Council-related activity.
• Member will be eligible for mileage reimbursement from the Council for use of member’s personal vehicle, as agreed upon by Council staff.
• Member may be eligible for a Council-provided TriMet pass.

Equal Opportunity

People of color, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Confluence is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. Confluence is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions.

Confluence provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants may request a reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.

How to apply

Contact for general questions about AmeriCorps, Confluence and recruitment process:

Sherrie Jackson
Confluence Environmental Center – Operations Coordinator
5441 SE Belmont Ave., Suite 25
Portland, OR  97215
503-719-6779

sjackson@confluencecenter.org

See complete position description here.