CivicSpark Americorps Member

Make a difference while launching your career in sustainability! Apply now to become a CivicSpark AmeriCorps member.  

CivicSpark is a Governor’s
Initiative AmeriCorps program dedicated to building capacity for local
governments to address climate change. 48 Members will be hired annually,
serving for 11 months completing climate change mitigation and adaptation work.
 Members have the chance to gain valuable
experience in their field, build office professional skills, and develop a
strong network, while creating a lasting difference.

Internship Overview 

CivicSpark is currently hiring for all regions. The 2015-16 Service Year will start October 19th and last through mid September, 2016.   

48
Members will be selected and placed in 9 regions through California, including:
Central Coast, Greater LA/Inland Empire, LA, North Coast, Sacramento, San
Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, and the Sierra Nevada.

Regional teams will be made up of 3-10 Members and a half time senior project
manager. Members will work on defined projects with local governments. 

Responsibilities  

• Although
  all projects will contain different tasks and responsibilities, on a day-to-day
  level, CivicSpark Members will work on a range of tasks from data collection
  and analysis, to meeting facilitation, to community outreach, to report
  writing, and presentation of results.
• All Members should leave the service year
  with an understanding of work within local governments, experience working with
  key climate change mitigation and adaptation tools, ability to analyze data,
  and ability to work successfully in a team office environment. 

Examples of project from 2014-15 Service Year include: 

• Energy Efficiency – benchmarking
  local building energy use, identifying solar ready sites, engaging local
  governments in a bulk solar purchasing program, greenhouse gas inventorying,
  building business or residential energy efficiency programs

1. San
   Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Point of Permit Energy Audit and
   Education Program – conduct home energy assessments as a means to educate
   homeowners about energy efficiency and incorporate energy efficiency.
2. Ventura
   Climate Friendly Buildings – support the Ventura Better Business Challenge of
   reducing energy usage by 20% by the year 2020.  

• Climate change –localizing a
  Community Climate Action Plan template, tracking metrics to monitor and
  evaluate progress, updating and reviewing existing CAPs, implementing CAP
  initiatives

1. Climate
   Action Planning for the Sierra Region – support climate action planning and
   community climate research and risk analysis for local governments.
2. Cities
   of Fontana and Redlands – help prepare a localized climate action plan

• Sustainable Communities – completing
  vulnerability assessments, implementing adaptation strategies, analyzing ZEV
  infrastructure needs 

1. Sacramento
   Regional Climate Vulnerability Assessment – conduct a broad-level vulnerability
   assessment for the community and audit the community’s existing plans and
   policies that can contribute to community preparedness.
2. Resilient
   Shorelines in the Bay Area – support implementation of resilient shorelines
   project and develop regional analysis of shoreline vulnerabilities. 

Note: In addition to project work, members will have the
chance to work on volunteer services and volunteer recruitment and support, and
will regularly attend trainings for technical knowledge and professional
development.  

Qualifications 

CivicSpark Members will have completed at
least a 4-year degree and will have relevant experience in the sustainability
field. An ideal candidate might have the following characteristics:   

• Degree in environmental related field and one year of relevant
  experience
• Experience with California climate change policies and practices
  (mitigation and/or adaptation related)
• Experience with local government operations and structures, especially
  as they relate to climate protection
• Good communications and teamwork skills, some experience with outreach
  preferred
• Capability to work in a professional office setting
• Comfort with quantitative work, including data collection and analysis
• Solid analytic or technical writing ability
• Candidates must complete a DOJ, state, and NSOPR background check prior
  to service 

Note: This is an equal opportunity position and
we prefer to place a candidate who already lives in the community being served.  

Benefits 

AmeriCorps was created to address community need through service. AmeriCorps Members have the opportunity to make an impact in their community while gaining valuable career and life experience. In exchange for their service, each Member receives the following benefits: 

• $14,000 Living Allowance (before taxes) spread evenly over 11 months.
• Segal Education Award of $5,775 at the completion of service
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and payment of interest accrued during service
• Health Insurance
• Childcare Assistance - (to qualifying Members), paid to an eligible provider of your choice.
• Significant professional development training
• Network development with regional and statewide contacts in the climate protection field. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Here!" to complete an online application found
  on the CivicSpark website.
• Candidates selected
  for interviews will be contacted in the coming weeks, as interviewing is
  ongoing until all slots are filled.