This position is part of the Lyndon Economic opportunity AmeriCorps Program (LEAP). LEAP is a national service program that places AmeriCorps members with non-profit organizations throughout the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont to support those organizations in building capacity and expanding their services that many communities rely on. LEAP members deliver direct service to local youth in the form of PreK-12 STEAM educational programming. LEAP supports members in their path to educational and career attainment through direct service, on-going trainings, and professional development opportunities offered during the service year.

Essential Functions

The Environmental Education and Outdoor Recreation Instructor will:

•  assist Education staff as they develop and implement programming on environmental education and outdoor recreation with local schools;
• promote and facilitate summer camp programs and adult outreach programs that focus on environmental education and outdoor recreation;
• cross-country ski, snowshoe, canoe, lead team building activities, ropes course facilitation, natural science and wildlife education, mountain bike, hiking, swim, explore outdoors, practice survival skills, and crafts;
• may also include stewardship projects, including tree planting and habitat restoration
• will also include some service in the education office to support the member’s educational programming activities;
• assist in the care of wildlife ambassador animals including Oberon, a barred owl.

Marginal Functions

The Environmental Education and Outdoor Recreation Instructor may:

• assist with cleaning, organizing, and preparing materials for programming;
• prepare and serve meals as part of programming activities;
• fish, hunt, or trap.

Desired Qualifications

The qualified applicant will:

• have a positive attitude, high energy, exhibit patience and flexibility;
• have excellent communication and leadership skills;
• demonstrate experience leading groups of young adults in an outdoor setting;
• have a commitment to working with youth in the outdoors;
• possess a strong sense of stewardship of the natural environment;
• have a valid driver’s license.

LEAP Minimum Qualifications:

• Be a US citizen (or have permanent resident status; call with questions about this);
• Be at least 18 years of age upon entering the Pre-Service Orientation (there is no upper age limit), or 17 years of age with written parental permission;
• Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate, or be willing to work towards their GED as part of their service-year successful completion requirement. A member cannot have dropped out of high school to join AmeriCorps. If a member has a documented medical reason/professional opinion why they cannot finish high school, they might be eligible; call in
  this case;
• Has not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and is willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, FBI Fieldprint fingerprinting, AHS Child and Adult Abuse Registry check, and Truescreen background check;
• Be committed to the Lyndon Economic opportunity AmeriCorps program, and its ethic of service and personal and professional development of its participants;
• Have the ability and enthusiasm to drive to, attend, and participate in required training and events;
• Be committed to participating in the LEAP data collection process;
• Complete bi-weekly electronic timesheets through OnCorps;
• Participate in member service 1-2x per term evaluation process.

Benefits of Service:

• Education Award upon successful completion of service for those eligible
• Student loan forbearance
• Training opportunities through host site, LEAP, and SerVermont
• Access to Schools of National Service and AmeriCorps alumni network
• FT members: access to health care and childcare
• Access to 3SquaresVT SNAP benefits
• Access to on-campus housing, camping, or lean-to may be available at a discounted rate.

Service Conditions

This position must be accomplished Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm primarily outdoors, in schools and on campus. Some overnight and weekend hours are required throughout the summer and winter.

Full Time: Requires 1,700 hours for an average of 36 hours per week for one year. Member will receive a living allowance of $22,100 (pre-tax), and an education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training opportunities.

Position Begins: September 1, 2024, Ends: August 31, 2025

To Apply: Visit the LEAP website.

For questions about this position or to send additional materials:

Andrew Cappello, Education Director
154 Leadership Drive, East Charleston, VT 05833
Andy@NorthWoodsCenter.org – (802) 723-6551 x303

Application deadline: Until Filled