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Description
AmeriCorps Position Description
DURATION:January 2005 - November 2005 (1700 hours of service)
COMPENSATION:Monthly Stipend, Education Award, and Health Benefits
ORGANIZATION'S MISSION:Creating life-long learning opportunities that foster a sense of wonder and community stewardship in the natural systems of the Columbia River Gorge.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS:
The Institute's multi-sensory educational programs promote understanding and appreciation of the ecological underpinnings of the local forest and shrub-steppe communities. A sense of place provides people with opportunities to learn about and connect with their community and their natural surroundings. Place-based education encourages those who live, work and play in the Columbia River Gorge to take pride in the community, to connect with the natural world, and to develop into informed and contributing citizens.
K-12 Ecology Programs:The school programs, Secrets of Our Forest Home and Secrets of Our Shrub-Steppe Home, meet Oregon and Washington State science benchmarks. Students engage in hands-on small group activities that stimulate learning and build connections to the natural world.
Community Education:After-school, summer day camp, adult, senior, and family enrichment programs explore the surrounding ecosystems, build science-observation skills, and implement stewardship projects. We invite all ages and skill levels to experience our community education activities.
Wilderness Adventures:Learn about Columbia Gorge ecology; hone outdoor leadership skills; experience a backcountry adventure. All ages can travel off the beaten path on kayaking, backpacking, hiking, or biking ecology tours.
Conferences, Lectures, Symposia:In support of intellectual exchange and public awareness, the Institute holds conferences, lectures, and symposia on regional ecological topics. The Institute also publishes conference proceedings and Gorge-based ecology books to disseminate information about the Columbia River Gorge's natural world.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.Collaborate with Program Director and individual board members to implement the classroom program, events, and other relevant projects
2.Teach SECRETS school programs in approximately nine local classrooms per term (spring and fall). One term includes (per classroom) eight one-hour classroom lessons, one family night event, and one all day field trip.
3.Teach periodic community education programs.
4.Assist with development of wilderness adventure curricula.
5.Coordinate Institute conferences.
6.Recruit, train, coordinate and supervise community volunteers as SECRETS instructors.
7.Build, maintain and update curriculum materials, costumes, and equipment.
8.Attend monthly board meetings and weekly staff meetings.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1.Interest in science and respect for nature. 2.Desire to inspire interest in the natural world in others.
3.Experience working with children and adults in the classroom or outdoors.
4.A natural sciences, environmental or education background.
5.Excellent research and writing skills. 6.Effective communication skills with all ages.
7.Ability to work in a group or on your own. 8.Physical fitness for outdoor work.
9.A valid drivers license and a reliable vehicle.
10.Other useful skills, knowledge, and experience: office administration, conversational Spanish, curriculum development, marketing, volunteer supervision, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
POSITION DETAILS:
CGEI is a project sponsor for the Northwest Service Academy AmeriCorps program. The Institute's Director provides training and supervision. Individual board members will provide guidance and mentorship for each AmeriCorps member. The Northwest Service Academy also supervises AmeriCorps members and provides training and professional development opportunities throughout the year.
Compensation:The Program Coordinator will receive an AmeriCorps stipend (~$775/month) and an education award of $4,250 upon completion of 1700 hours of service, loan deferment, health insurance package, and childcare. The position will also offer extensive opportunities for professional development and training in ecology, natural history, teaching methods and more. The Program Coordinator will have opportunities to develop and implement independent projects as well as to receive direction from supervisors in the pursuit of personal goals and/or interests while serving at the Institute.
Location:The Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute office is located in downtown Hood River. The office serves as a meeting and workspace; however, all instruction takes place at local schools, generally within a 30-minute drive of Hood River. A personal vehicle is required for the position and the Institute will provide reimbursement for travel. Instructors have access to a computer, the Internet, and a phone/fax for project-related work at the Institute office.
Accommodations:The Program Coordinator for CGEI is responsible for finding his/her own housing in the local area (Hood River, Oregon or other nearby communities in Oregon and Washington.)
How to Apply:The position is funded through the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) AmeriCorps program in Trout Lake, Washington, and requires candidates to complete a separate application.
Contact the NWSA at (509) 395-3469 for an application. In addition, please send a separate cover letter and resume to
Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute,
Program Coordinator Position c/o Thayne Cockrum,
P.O. Box 1104,
Hood River, OR 97031
or via email to info@gorgeecology.org.
Deadline: Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.