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To fill out an application, visit www.salisbury.edu/americorps and click on ‘Become a Member’ and then 'Fill out an Application.'

About ShoreCorps/AmeriCorps:

ShoreCorps is a State AmeriCorps program, funded in part by the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism. AmeriCorps is a civil society program supported by the U.S. federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors engaging adults in public service work with a goal of "helping others and meeting critical needs in the community." Members commit to full-time or part-time positions offered by a network of nonprofit community organizations and public agencies, to fulfill assignments in the fields of education, public safety, health care, and environmental protection. The program is often seen as a domestic Peace Corps. It employs more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year.

Position Description:

Wicomico Environmental Trust is seeking a half-time AmeriCorps member for the 2024-2025 service year.

Wicomico Environmental Trust (WET) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 to address county environmental policies and initially focused on public education. Over the years, WET expanded its mission to include water quality and the health of the Wicomico River and its watershed, collaborating with the government and NGOs on a watershed management plan. WET leads volunteer coordination, outreach, and funding for the Wicomico Creekwatchers program and advocates for sustainability and environmental stewardship within the community. WET’s mission is to champion a healthy environment for all. For more information, visit https://www.wicomicoenvironment.org/.

The Wicomico River Creekwatchers, now in its 22nd year, is a water-quality monitoring program staffed by volunteers who collect biweekly samples and data from 26 sites along the Wicomico River from Mount Vernon in Somerset County to Delmar, Maryland, including ponds and streams in the system. All sample analyses are conducted at a laboratory at Salisbury University, directed by faculty in the Department of Biology. The sampling season begins in mid-March and ends in early November each year. Samples are collected biweekly during that time.

As a Volunteer Coordinator for an environmental nonprofit, you will be responsible for managing and supporting a diverse team of volunteers dedicated to environmental conservation and advocacy. This includes recruiting and training new volunteers, organizing volunteer activities and events, maintaining regular communication to ensure all volunteers are informed and engaged, and coordinating schedules to ensure coverage for all projects. Additionally, you will track volunteer hours, recognize volunteer contributions, and work closely with other staff and the board of directors to align volunteer efforts with the organization’s goals. Your role is crucial in fostering a motivated and effective volunteer community that drives the nonprofit's mission forward. This is a hybrid position with a flexible work schedule. Must be available to be in person and onsite for Creekwatchers sampling.

Member Responsibilities:

Creekwatchers:

• Assist the Creekwatchers Coordinator by regularly communicating with nearly 50 volunteers to ensure all samples are collected biweekly as scheduled.
• When no volunteer or substitute is available, the member will conduct sampling and data collection as needed to ensure 100% of samples are collected on each designated date.
• Assist with planning and conducting annual Creekwatcher volunteer training in early spring.
• Maintain paperwork and supplies at the Environmental Studies House garage on Camden Avenue to ensure volunteers always have what they need available on sampling days.
• Collect the sign-in sheet each sampling day and make sure the Creekwatchers Coordinator has all the paperwork to file in the WET office.
• Work in coordination with the site supervisor.

General Volunteer Coordination:

• Assist with event planning, volunteer recruitment, and participation at events.
• Assist with educational event tabling to include planning, setting up and staffing the table, and packing up after the event.
• Keep track of all new volunteer requests, reach out to new volunteers, and contact all volunteers when needs arise, while building and maintaining relationships with the volunteer community.
• Organize an annual volunteer training session and a yearly volunteer appreciation day, among other activities when needed.
• Other duties as assigned related to Creekwatchers or volunteer coordination.
• Complete a special project of their choice, with the freedom to create and design it, subject to approval, and ensure its successful execution by the end of the service period.

Administrative:

• Send sign-up sheets from tabling events to the program manager to input into the database.
• Maintain volunteer contact data/sheets are accurate and up-to-date.
• Ensure professional and timely emailing and communication with the WET staff and volunteers.
• Take photos at events and send them to the program manager.
• Assist with social media and marketing when needed.

Requirements for applicants include the following:

• Have a strong interestin serving the community
• Be able to relate to diverse populations
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Able to provide copy of either high school diploma, GED, or college transcript
• Have reliabletransportation
• Be available to attend the free, AmeriCorps class at SU alternate Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive Criminal History Check, which includes FBI fingerprinting
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants DO NOT need to be college students, anyone from the community who fits the above requirements may participate.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications as specified by WET:

• Exhibit professional and exceptional communication skills.
• Previous volunteer experience.
• Proficient in Google Suite, Canva, Microsoft,and Social Media platforms.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Capable of working effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a team environment.

Benefits available to the AmeriCorps Member:

• Valuable experience
• A bi-weekly stipend of $562
• An education award of $3,697 for future educational expenses or repayment of student loans - members who are age 55 or older may gift their ed. award to a child or grandchild
• Federal student loan forbearance while in service, with exemption from paying interest accrued during that time
• 8 tuition-free credits at Salisbury University for completion of training course
• Access to AmeriCorps Alumni Network

The member will begin on or after August 15th, 2024 and must complete 900 hours by August 14th, 2025.

This position is offered through a partnership with ShoreCorps, the AmeriCorps program at Salisbury University. It is contingent upon federal funding and approval of the AmeriCorps office.

To fill out an application, visit www.salisbury.edu/americorps and click on ‘Become a Member’ and then ‘Fill out an application.’

AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs. Similar to the Military or the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps is another form of service to our country. The mission of AmeriCorps is to make our people safer, stronger and healthier; to strengthen our communities; and to Get Things Done for America. Our program, ShoreCorps, is one of hundreds of AmeriCorps programs nationwide. To learn more about AmeriCorps https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps

Salisbury University has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and equal employment and educational opportunities for its faculty, staff and students. To that end, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. The University adheres to the EEO/AA policies set forth by federal and Maryland laws. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to: Humberto Aristizabal, Associate Vice President of Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator, Room 100 Holloway Hall, 1101 Camden Ave. Salisbury, MD 21801; Tel. 410-543-6426.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $281.25 per week

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License or State ID (Required)

Work Location: In person