Position Title: Education and Outreach Coordinator (1 Position)
Project Sponsor: City of Spokane – Urban Forestry Division
This position is in partnership with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), an AmeriCorps program of ESD112. NWSA’s mission is to preserve and restore the natural environment, and to develop community leaders through service and community partnerships.
Project Location: 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201
Position Summary: The Education and Outreach Coordinator will operate out of the City of Spokane’s Urban Forestry Division, primarily providing information, guidance, and resources to neighborhood stewardship groups using the Alliance for Community Trees NeighborWoods’ model. This is a new program for the City, thereby offering the Coordinator the creative opportunity of launching a volunteer citizen stewardship program. The Coordinator will assist neighborhood stewards in team-building, visioning, planning, and implementing urban forestry volunteer projects. In addition to the NeighborWoods program, the Coordinator will organize, promote, and facilitate public tree care educational presentations, programs, and events in partnership with local agencies and organizations involved in forest stewardship. Public education events and programs currently include our Arbor Day Celebration, Fall Leaf Festival, Heritage Tree program, and multiple-media public service announcements. The Education and Outreach Coordinator will engage all levels of government and community to promote a healthy and sustainable urban forest for the City of Spokane’s current and future citizens.
The intern will have one main office location in City Hall but will be expected to conduct meetings and events at other locations around the city. Meetings often occur at the offices of other agencies and organizations. Neighborhood Council meetings are generally held weekday evenings at a location in that particular neighborhood. The frequency of off-site meetings ranges from 3 to 7 per week. The intern will be expected to schedule and coordinate these efficiently.
General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
1. Provide educational materials and assistance to the public including Neighborhood Councils, NeighborWoods stewardship groups, local agencies and organizations partnered with Spokane Urban Forestry, students, and general citizenry. (15%)
2. Assist NeighborWoods stewardship groups in building a team, developing their neighborhood vision, and action plan, coordinating with stakeholders, and broadening support through publicity and education. (50%)
3. Facilitate educational workshops and presentations. Coordinate environmental education programs through our partnerships with WSU Extension, Spokane County Conservation District, and Spokane Community College. (15%)
4. Promote events and programs such as Arbor Day Celebration, Fall Leaf Festival, Heritage Tree, and
NeighborWoods. (10%)
5. Promote Finch Arboretum as a public education facility. (5%)
6. Connect groups and volunteers in support of the Urban Forestry mission. (5%)
7. Complete a Community Action Project that is identified by the Intern, researched, and implemented during the term of service.
8. Attend and complete all NWSA/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, trainings, team meetings and national service days.
9. Complete and submit all necessary NWSA/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
10. Wear an NWSA uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.
Position Requirements:
1. Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to provide documentation. Must comply with NWSA Personal and Organizational Vehicle Use Policy detailed at the end of this position description.
2. Attend a mandatory orientation in Trout Lake, WA from 2/7 to 2/11, quarterly Intern trainings in Trout Lake, WA (food and lodging provided for orientation and trainings), and monthly Intern meetings. Intern is responsible for transportation to and from all mandatory trainings and meetings, which may be up to several hours away from their project site.
3. Personal vehicle is required for service activities and mileage reimbursement is approved.
4. Ability to successfully pass a drug test (random or otherwise) conducted by project sponsor.
5. Intern will be required to work some evenings and weekends.
6. Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive public and employee relations.
7. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
8. Skill in the use of MS Office software: Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
9. Ability to present a positive image of public service – responsive, effective, and efficient.
10. Ability to work with diverse community groups and focus efforts on common goals.
11. Ability to organize community events.
12. Skill in public speaking and presentations.
13. 21 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.
14. U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
15. Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving an education award.
16. Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.
17. Selection, placement and retention are contingent upon passing the National Sex Offender Public Register and a national FBI fingerprint check.
18. Regular and reliable attendance.
19. Members are eligible to serve up to four terms of service and receive AmeriCorps Education awards for each term of service up to the value of two full time education awards only. It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform
NWSA of any previous service in an AmeriCorps program, regardless of whether or not they completed the previous term(s) of service. NWSA is not liable for providing an Education Award to a member if they are not eligible under the Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps guidelines.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Knowledge of basic principles, practices, and techniques involved in any of the following disciplines: arboriculture, horticulture, natural resource management, urban forestry.
2. International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist or Certified Tree Worker.
3. Skill in the use of ArcGIS and/or TreeWorks software.
Member Benefits Include:
1. A total taxable living allowance of $11.800.
2. Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members/leaders receive an education award of $5,350. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans, 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.
3. Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
4. Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).
5. Child care allowance for those who qualify.
6. We can assist the member in finding low cost housing.
Transportation Information:
1. Personal vehicle is required for this position and offers are contingent on your driving record and personal vehicle
insurance coverage meeting the minimum requirements detailed at the end of this position description.
2. Project site is accessible by public transportation.
3. Bus tickets and monthly/annual transit passes are available for service activities, and will be provided by the project sponsor.
