Americorps Member, Local Government Commission

~ Launch Your Career in Sustainability While Making an Impact! Apply now to become a CivicSpark AmeriCorps member for the 2015-16 service year. ~

CivicSpark is a Governor's Initiative AmeriCorps program dedicated to building capacity for local governments to address climate change. This is a unique opportunity for recent college graduates to gain valuable experience in the sustainability field, build professional and technical skills, and develop a strong network, while making a lasting impact. 

Position Overview 

CivicSpark is hiring 48 members for the 2015-16 service year (start date: October 19, 2015) to complete climate change mitigation and adaptation work throughout California. 

CivicSpark members work on projects that support local governments in 8 regions throughout California: North Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, Los Angeles, and Southern California.

While projects vary, members can expect to work on a range of tasks, including data collection and analysis, meeting facilitation, community outreach, report writing, and presentation of results.

All members will complete their service year with a strong understanding of working within local governments, experienec working with key climate change mitigation and adaptation tools, ability to analyze data, and ability to work successfully in a team office environment.

In addition to project work, members will have the opportunity to regularly attend trainings for technical knowledge and professional development, as well as work on volunteer services. Members will be organized into regional teams made up of 3-10 members and a half-time senior project manager.

The 2015-16 service year starts on October 19th with fellow orientation taking place November 2nd-6th. Click here to view a list of projects for the 2015-16 service year. (Check back often for new additions.) 

Responsibilities 

Examples of project activities 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Climate Action Planning for the Sierra Region - support climate action planning and community climate research and risk analysis for local governments.
• Cities of Fontana and Redlands - help prepare a localized climate action plan. 
• Sustainable Communities - completing vulnerability assessments, implementing adaptation strategies, analyzing ZEV infrastructure needs.
• 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.
• Resilient Shorelines in the Bay Area - support implementation of resilient shorelines project and develop regional analysis of shoreline vulnerabilities.  

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

Compensation & 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 

Note: Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted on a rolling basis.