Position Title: Climate Research and Communications Specialist

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Host Site: Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Office of Public Lands

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Position Type: Teleservice*

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Site Supervisor: Jon-Paul Shannahan

Slot Type: Full term (11 months)

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Hours: Full-time placement (40 hours/week)

Dates of Service: November 13th, 2024 - October 17th, 2025

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Stipend: $35,200

Location: Lansing, MI

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MI Healthy Climate Corps:

Join the MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHC Corps) and make a lasting impact on Michigan's carbon-neutral future! The MHC Corps accelerates Michigan's climate action through capacity building and leadership development. Members serve across the state to advance the MI Healthy Climate Plan's (MHCP) goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan, unveiled by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2022, aims to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis; create good-paying jobs; position Michigan as a climate action leader; and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders.

About the Host Partner:

The Oce of Public Lands (OPL) coordinates, innovates, and magnies the value of state DNR public land. Specically, we invest and create solutions for higher level outcomes around climate, energy, public health, green infrastructure, job creation, outdoor recreation and placemaking. We lead, facilitate, and add capacity to existing strong collaborations across the Department and external partners to innovate solutions to complex problems, build on successes, and magnify good ideas across the enterprise for long-term durability.

MHC Corps Member Role and Responsibilities:

• The member would be responsible for assisting OPL staff on advancing both internal and external communications surrounding climate action. This will include writing a quarterly climate newsletter and building an OPL social media presence.
• They will also work on on-going renewable energy projects, and partnership collaborations while developing and carrying out outreach and engagement agendas for various projects.
• The member will also assist in projects regarding energy auditing and climate action progress tracking, renewable energy siting, and habitat restoration across public lands.
• Empower the community to access federal and state climate resources by planning meetings, educational programs, and/or other activities to consistently share information.
• Participate in MHC Corps member development shared learning and collaboration activities including four MHC Corps in-person convenings, MHC Corps monthly virtual trainings (refer to calendar attachment), and Michigan's AmeriCorps activities.
• Members will host a community input session with their host site to collect community feedback and advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

Evaluation and Reporting:

• Members will complete a Mid-year Performance Evaluation during the term.
• Other reporting requirements (bi-weekly timesheets, monthly data reports, quarterly narrative reports).

Preferred Qualications:

The appropriate candidate will have a strong interest and/or background in environmental issues, coalition building and/or community organizing, and communications or a combination of such interests. The appropriate candidate must possess strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, the ability to work within a team or as an individual and be familiar with the Microsoft Oce suite and Google Applications. Members are required to work the standard oce hours of their host communities.

No specic background or education is required to join the MHC Corps!
But a minimum of 2 years of experience in these types of situations is essential for success:

• Experience facilitating a meeting with people who have more experience than them
• Complete their work independently and without constant supervision
• Experience overcoming obstacles in work situations in the past
• Experience managing multiple professional relationships
• Comfortable working outside of the typical 9 am - 5 pm to attend community events
• Ability to use or teach oneself new software in a fast-paced role with little oversight

Minimum Qualications:

• Live in Michigan
• Ability to travel to four in-person MHC Corps convenings around the state. Carpools will be available and encouraged.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Applicants must have a high school diploma, GED, or be working toward the completion of one.
• U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Pass the following National Service Criminal History Checks: State of Michigan background check, State of residency (if not Michigan), FBI Fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Registry

Compensation:

Members will receive a living allowance of $35,200 distributed in even increments, bi-weekly. Members will receive student loan forbearance for qualied loans, health care benets, child care assistance upon eligibility, and continual professional development. Upon successful completion of service, an education award in the amount of $7,395 will be issued. Members will serve approximately 40 hours per week (a total of 1,700 hours during the service term).

The MI Healthy Climate Corps Program is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for interviews and service as needed.