Community Urban Forest Coordinator – Portland, OR

Organization: Americorps; Portland Environmental Services Bureau, Grey to Green Urban Forest Canopy Program

Job Title: Community Urban Forest Coordinator

Location: Portland, OR

Hours and Compensation: September 5, 2012 – July 30, 2013 (1700 hours – 11 months)

Position Dates: Start ASAP

Application Deadline: July 6th, 2012

Posted On: July 2nd, 2012

Description

Portland’s Environmental Services bureau works for clean rivers, healthy watersheds, and livable communities. Outreach and education programs are critical to gaining the citizen involvement necessary to achieve these goals. In partnership with the Confluence Environmental Center (CEC), the AmeriCorps member will assist the Grey to Green Urban Canopy Program in developing urban forest and sustainable stormwater capacity in low-canopy, low-income parts of the city of Portland.

Responsibilities

• Support the bureau’s sustainable stormwater goals by encouraging citizen investment and stewardship in clean rivers and healthy watersheds.

• Develop and implement an outreach strategy for sustainable stormwater management that includes education, technical support, and a suite of incentives from multiple bureau program areas.

• Determine capacity for increasing urban forest canopy in low-canopy, low-income parts of the city of Portland.

• Serve closely with the city and its partners and act as liaison between the city and interested neighborhoods, community and business groups, and individuals.

• Complete and submit all necessary Confluence/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.

• Attend and complete all Confluence/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, training’s, team meetings and national service days.

• Wear Confluence uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience with diverse populations, particularly people of color, immigrants, and people with limited economic resources.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to provide documentation.

• Ability and willingness to serve outdoors, in inclement weather and lift up to 40 lbs.

• Ability to serve independently and develop individual learning goals, project goals, measurable outcomes, timelines and reporting.

• Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations such as: project partner(s), colleagues, community volunteers, students and the general public.

• Serve occasional evenings and weekends.

• Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills.

• Desire to serve with people to promote education, environmental stewardship and an ethic of service.

• A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a diverse team.

• 18 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.

• U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving award.

• Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.

• Must successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through Confluence.

• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.

• AmeriCorps members can enroll in multiple terms of service that add up to the value of two full-time education awards. In other words, you can blend summer, part-time and full-time service positions and receive awards as long as the combined service terms don’t exceed two full terms. You can also serve additional terms and elect not to receive an award. Please see http://edaward.org/guidebook/multiple-terms for full information.

Preferred

• Ability to speak Spanish (or another language).

• Reside in an underserved community in Portland.

• Desire and ability to recruit, assist, and motivate volunteers.

• Interest or experience in urban forestry, natural resources and/or environmental science.

• Familiarity with the region is helpful but not required.

• Experience with data collection, data entry, and GIS desired but not required

How to Apply