Elementary School AmeriCorps Environmental Educator

This position is with Princeville Elementary is located in Princeville NC. Princeville Elementary is a small PreK-5 school nestled in the heart of Princeville, NC, the oldest city chartered by blacks in America. Princeville Elementary is the home of the proud panthers and currently serve approximately 180 students from our surrounding neighborhoods and communities. Their goal is to meet the needs of every learner every day as we always strive to learn without limits.

The 2021-2022 AmeriCorps positions will have a start date (for new full-time 11 month members) of September 1st 2021 and an end date of July 31st 2022.

**Please make sure you upload all of the required documents - Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, College Transcripts, Birth Certificate (if US Passport not uploaded).** If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment will be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

For the 2021-2022 service year, Resilience Corps NC offers a living stipend of $17,000 for 11 months, health insurance reimbursement for premiums, childcare assistance, and professional development opportunities (individual trainings, enrollment in NC Environmental Education Certificate Program, and conferences in conjunction with the NC Commission on Volunteerism). Participants who complete the program will receive a Segal Education Award of $6,345 from the National Service Trust.

CTNC is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference or familial status.

CTNC seeks to engage applicants from underrepresented communities, particularly of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, and Native American background, in conservation careers. Connecting more diverse applicants to an employment pathway has led to greater equity, diversity and inclusion of all people in conservation.


Purpose of the Position

The AmeriCorps service member will design environmental education PreK-5 curricula that include lessons for indoor and outdoor learning environments for all students at Princeville Elementary. Princeville Elementary is a small PreK-5 school nestled in the heart of Princeville, NC, the oldest city chartered by blacks in America. They currently serve approximately 180 students from our surrounding neighborhoods and communities. Their goal is to meet the needs of every learner every day as we always strive to learn without limits.

Position Responsibilities and Duties

The AmeriCorps Environmental Educator will design an environmental education curriculum that are in line with Standards for students in PreK to 5th grade. These indoor and outdoor learning lessons should include the following topics as appropriate:

• Soil properties (including water saturation)
• Impact of stormwater
• How to repurpose stormwater and the benefits
• How to grow and sustain vegetation that would thrive in a Flood zone area
• Vegetation native to the area and which ones would most likely thrive
• Landscaping and the impact of floods

The AmeriCorps member will provide a resource bank including:

• virtual field trips
• Hands-on activities and learn opportunities
• STEAM aligned activities and tasks
• Opportunities to engage with field area experts
• Assist teachers with incorporating the designed curriculum.

Additionally, the member will recruit and manage volunteers, organize beautification efforts, solicit community involvement, and create a system to keep stakeholders informed. The service member will also assist in the sustainability of materials and resources needed for the designed curriculum to succeed after the member's term concludes.

Accomplish/Results

• Work in conjunction with youth work crews in planning and construction of new stormwater landscape project
• Find resources and develop a plan for sustainability for projects and designs included in the project
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to develop relevant environmental curriculum and activities aligned with grade-level standards

Expectations

• Create a calendar mapping out key activities and tasks for the duration of the project timeline.
• Report weekly to the site supervisor, the assistant principal, to share progress and updates.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has:

• demonstrated interest or experience in K-5 education and/or youth programming
• experience with environmental education a plus
• strong communication skills, including speaking, listening, and writing
• an ability to interface effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds including students, faculty, and multiracial audiences.
• energy and will to motivate individual and collective effort
• willingness to foster open dialogue, collaboration, and problem-solving
• strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to set and meet goals
• strong computer skills, e.g. Excel, google docs

Essential Functions / Physical Demands

Member will work in both an office setting and outdoors at Princeville Elementary. When working outside, the member will be in strenuous circumstances, in varying weather conditions, and should be physically fit and able to work in the outdoors. Member should be able to travel on uneven terrain and lift objects weighing at least 30 pounds.

Preferred Schedule

A 40-hour workweek that may include some work on Saturdays. Work must pertain specifically to the project and tenants of AmeriCorps.