Environmental Summer Steward

Green Iowa AmeriCorps operates through the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education (UNI CEEE) in Cedar Falls. 

Our mission is empowering Iowa's communities and school districts to make more environmental, conservation-minded decisions and improvements through direct service work, environmental education, professional development opportunities and volunteer engagement.

Position Overview

The program is looking to recruit passionate and motivated individuals for a three-month service experience in one of our service locations throughout Iowa. As a member of our new and existing programs sites, you will have the opportunity to create plans in conjunction with city officials, nonprofit leaders, school districts, and execute projects that will greatly impact the communities we serve. The leadership and empowerment experienced as part of our program will be like no other! 

Our program hopes to train the next generation of ‘green-collar’ workers through a combination of field trips, presentations, and hands-on learning. Members have the opportunity to build leadership abilities through the program, which allows each member to contribute unique skills to the program. Members have access to free training, hands-on skill development, and extensive community engagement. 

Service Areas:

• Neighborhood Revitalization, Habitat Restoration, Housing, Community Engagement, Storm-water Management, Outreach Education, Community and Economic Development, Environment, and Capacity Building.

Green Iowa AmeriCorps consists of three branches: Energy & Community, Sustainable Schools and Land & Water Stewards.

Each branch of our program will provide AmeriCorps members with the unique opportunity to enhance their professional development goals, cultivate community-wide relationships, and work toward making Iowa a more sustainable, eco-nomic state. 

• Energy & Community: members serve in a team-based setting providing residential energy efficiency services to underserved populations, conducting environmental education, and engaging in community service projects with available service locations in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Des Moines, and Iowa City.
• Sustainable Schools: members serve in Iowa school districts as sustainability coordinators to reduce energy and waste, support teachers and students in environment education efforts, and create project based learning opportunities with available service locations in Bondurant-Farrar CSD, Clear Creek Amana CSD, Cedar Falls CSD, Dubuque, Iowa City CSD, Van Meter CSD, Vinton-Shellsburg CSD, and Waverly-Shell Rock CSD. 
• Land & Water Stewards: members create environmental education and community programming related to healthy water and land stewardship in conjunction with many local and state partners. Available service locations include Cedar Falls (CEEE), Cedar Falls (TPC), Okoboji, and Oskaloosa.

Compensation & Benefits

• Program Benefits: Federal Loan Deferment, Training and Certification, Segal Education Award upon successful completion, Monthly Living stipend, Leadership experience, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualification, Interest Accrual Repayment
• Terms: Position based on completion of 300 hours of service in a part-time work schedule (25-30 hours/week); flexible vacation and sick leave. Outside employment available during the off hours, school attendance available during off hours
• Living Allowance: $2,750.00 (TOTAL FOR 3 MONTHS). Living allowances are distributed evenly in monthly installments over the course of the service term from the University of Northern Iowa.
• Segal Education Award: $1,289.95.  Education Awards are contingent upon successful completion of the program.  Members must exit the program with at least 300 hours to ensure a successful exit.