This position is with Cape Fear Botanical Garden, located in Fayetteville, NC. The mission of Cape Fear Botanical Garden is to transform people’s relationship with plants and the natural world. Our Environmental Education Program nurtures a love for the outdoors, helps develop community interest in nature, and informs the public about plants, animals, and environmental conservation.

THE 2021-2022 AMERICORPS POSITIONS WILL HAVE A START DATE (FOR NEW FULL-TIME 11 MONTH MEMBERS) OF SEPTEMBER 1ST 2021 AND AN END DATE OF JULY 31ST 2022.

Please make sure you upload all of the required documents -  Resume, Cover Letter, State or Federal ID, College Transcripts, Birth Certificate (if US Passport not uploaded). If required documents are not uploaded at time of application, any offer for employment will be withheld until they are provided. All AmeriCorps Members must submit to having a National Sex Offender, State of Residence (if state is different than NC), State of NC, and Federal FBI Background check conducted. Any applicant denying to submit to these checks will be automatically disqualified as per federal regulations.

FOR THE 2021-2022 SERVICE YEAR, RESILIENCE CORPS NC OFFERS A LIVING STIPEND OF $17,000 FOR 11 MONTHS, HEALTH INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREMIUMS, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES (INDIVIDUAL TRAININGS, ENROLLMENT IN NC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM, AND CONFERENCES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NC COMMISSION ON VOLUNTEERISM). PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE A SEGAL EDUCATION AWARD OF $6,345 FROM THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRUST. 

CTNC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE BECAUSE OF RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, DISABILITY, SEXUAL PREFERENCE OR FAMILIAL STATUS.

CTNC SEEKS TO ENGAGE APPLICANTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY OF ASIAN, BLACK, HISPANIC, MULTI-RACIAL, AND NATIVE AMERICAN BACKGROUND, IN CONSERVATION CAREERS. CONNECTING MORE DIVERSE APPLICANTS TO AN EMPLOYMENT PATHWAY HAS LED TO GREATER EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OF ALL PEOPLE IN CONSERVATION.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The AmeriCorps Outreach Specialist position will increase access to Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s environmental education programs for underserved and diverse communities. With the help of this AmeriCorps member we will expand our existing Classroom Outreach Programs to more elementary and preschools, offer new programs for 6-12th graders, and expand our outreach programs with the Library, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other partner organizations. This position will involve traveling out into the community to teach environmental education at schools, conducting outreach at community events, and making environmental education accessible for students who couldn’t otherwise attend Garden classes. The Member will help set-up and integrate new technology (like tablets and air quality sensors) into our outreach programs and may serve as an aid for students with special needs in programs and camps.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The AmeriCorps Outreach Specialist will conduct environmental education outreach programs for underserved populations. This will include planning and teaching classroom programs at local schools for students in grades PreK-12th. Classroom Programs include hands-on activities, science demonstrations, crafts, and occasionally the use of live animals to encourage children to enjoy nature and science. The Garden offers 6 classroom programs for grades PreK-5th currently and would expand these offerings and include middle and high school programs. Example Classroom Program activities include a seed dissection, creating animal tracks with clay, and taking soil core samples.

The position will also involve tabling at outreach events and assisting with educational activities at large Garden events like Holiday Lights and BOO-tanical. The Garden has many non-profit partners, including the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club, and Vision Resource Center. The Outreach Specialist will work to coordinate and schedule programs with schools and non-profits, to reach out to new partners, and to collect program feedback from teachers, parents, and non-profit partner organizations. As part of these programs, the Outreach Specialist will create program descriptions, lesson plans, program materials, bulletin board displays, brochures, and outreach flyers. The AmeriCorps member will be comfortable teaching and working with children from diverse backgrounds. Some knowledge or comfort with science and educational technology will also be valuable.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge

• Experience teaching and working with children ages PreK-12th grade (1-3 years experience a plus! Environmental Education experience a plus!).
• Strong grasp of ecology and environmental science (able to confidently teach curriculum through the middle school level).
• Knowledge of native wildlife and plants and an interest in continuing to learn about nature!
• Knowledge of or comfort with educational and science technology (tablets, projectors, microscopes, etc.)
• Degree or college classes in Education, Environmental Sciences or a related field is a strong plus! Spanish is also a plus!
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Organized and able to coordinate scheduling with many groups.
• Experience lesson planning.
• Confident public speaking.
• Comfortable working with students from robust backgrounds, including students with special needs.
• Able to learn new material quickly to teach many different topics.
• Flexible and willing to work in a fast paced non-profit environment.
• Passionate about environmental education!

Skills

Helpful to have, but not required: experience working with volunteers, gardening or horticultural experience, craft skills, camp experience, experience with outreach or special events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Use a computer to create lesson plans, brochures, Power Points, spreadsheets.
• Lift and transport outreach education supplies up to 40 lbs (can use a rolling cart!).
• Able to safely drive and navigate to off-site locations (Must have a car! We will reimburse mileage).
• Hike up to 2 miles over uneven terrain (while conducting a program for children).
• After training, safely handle education animals including a box turtle, eastern king snake, and salamander.

PREFERRED SCHEDULE

September – August. Most work will be Mon-Fri between 8:30am and 5pm, but the AmeriCorps member may need to work 1-2 weekend days a month and several evenings for programs, special events, or outreach tabling. Special events include Holiday Lights, which involves working at least 8 evenings in December and BOO-tanical which involves working Halloween weekend.