from
Sierra Nevada Alliance and
South Yuba River Citizens League
October 2, 2006

Want to live, work, learn and give back to Sierra Nevada’ ecosystems and communities?

Apply to be a Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Member

The Sierra Nevada is seeking applicants with a desire to devote a year of their lives to work for the protection of Sierra resources, to engage citizens in watershed restoration, and to join a team that explores the connections between community service and a sustainable Sierra environment. The Sierra Nevada Alliance and South Yuba River Citizens League are starting a new Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Program (SNAP) throughout the 400-mile range.

AmeriCorps Members will have the opportunity to work with one of 20 conservation groups and/or agencies within the Sierra to implement habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, watershed education and/or volunteer recruitment programs. The mission of SNAP is to develop the capacity of community-based organizations to play a leading role in the protection, restoration and stewardship of public lands, local waterways and working landscapes of the Sierra Nevada region.

The program will begin with an orientation and pre-service training from January 22nd to 29th, 2007.

Responsibilities/Activities:
Responsibilities and activities will vary depending on hosting organization but will be based on ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, watershed education, and volunteer recruitment.

  • Coordinate volunteers and prepare field equipment in the implementation of monthly water quality monitoring program.
  • Collaborate with State Parks to design and implement a riparian habitat restoration projects in high priority public lands.
  • Deliver environmental education presentations to 3rd-8th grade students on water conservation and watershed ecology.
  • Assist the organization in developing a membership database and associated outreach materials to enhance your project.

Placement Locations:

  • AmeriCorps Members will be placed with a Conservation Group (e.g. Tahoe Baikal Institute, Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships, Placer Land Trust, and Mountain Lion Foundation) or an Agency (Yosemite National Park, Central Sierra RC&D).
  • Exact locations will vary. There are up to 20 potential site placements in the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento such as Nevada City, Lake Tahoe Basin (North & South Shores), Quincy, Springville, Truckee, Auburn, Bishop, El Portal, and Jackson.

Necessary Skills and Qualifications

  • Ability to work with local community members, conservation groups and agencies.
  • Experience organizing events
  • Skills facilitating and/or participating in group meetings
  • Ability to lay out work tasks, identify resources, focus work and complete tasks on time
  • Strong writing skills
  • Public speaking and outreach skills
  • Independent, highly motivated, and ability to meet deadlines with limited supervision
  • Passion for the natural environment
  • Proficiency using personal computers and internet
  • Ability to travel throughout the region
  • Physical ability to perform strenuous activities at high elevations

Compensation and Benefits

  • Full-time AmeriCorps Service positions for 11.5 months. Beginning January 22nd, 2007 and concluding December 31st, 2008.
  • AmeriCorps Members will receive up to 350 hours of technical, ecological and skills-development training throughout the year.
  • AmeriCorps Members will receive a monthly stipend of $1200 and standard health insurance.
  • AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 will be granted upon completion of the program for use on existing qualified student loans or future higher education expenses.

How To Apply:

To apply please visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org/programs/
Applications will be due to the Sierra Nevada Alliance by November 1st, 2006.

Review Process:
• Top candidates will be requested to participate in phone interviews during the week of November 13th to 17th 2006
• Second round interviews will be conducted with host organizations during the timeframe of November 28th-December 8th
• Final Announcements made on December 13th 2006

For more information please contact:

All submissions are confidential. People of color are encouraged to apply. The Sierra Nevada Alliance, SYRCL and AmeriCorps are equal opportunity employers.