AMERICORPS POSITION AVAILABLE
AT THE NORTH BRANCH NATURE CENTER

The North Branch Nature Center is looking for an AmeriCorps member this summer to fill a service opportunity based at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, Vermont. The North Branch Nature Center is a new organization dedicated to offering natural history programs to residents of and visitors to Central Vermont. We are seeking dynamic, motivated applicants who love teaching people about the natural environment and are interested in community service. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a new organization that has operated for the last 10 years as a regional center of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS).

AmeriCorps Service Position: Environmental Educator
Our AmeriCorps member will help with an array of diverse projects and programs. This is a quarter time position, but because of the service period, it will be essentially full time for three months. As an AmeriCorps member you will:

The primary responsibility of the AmeriCorps member will be to co-develop, coordinate, and teach summer day camps. There will also be opportunities to teach natural history programs to children and visitors; participate in the first Montpelier BioBlitz; help lead nature walks & programs; complete administrative and other tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Some teaching experience and strong public speaking skills; high comfort level working outside with groups; general knowledge of New England natural history; strong writing skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team; strong organizational skills and work ethic; self-starter with strong initiative and follow through; willingness to work evenings and weekends; strong knowledge of word processing and Excel; experience with desktop publishing a plus; enthusiasm for working with teachers and students in grades K-12; a Bachelor’s degree in education, natural resources, or a related field; U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of U.S.; willingness to comply with federal regulations requiring us to do a background criminal check on AmeriCorps members working with children.

Start and End Dates: June 1, 2008 –August 22, 2008 (start and end dates flexible)

Benefits: $3,394.85 Living Allowance; $1,250 education award; loan forbearance

Application Deadline: May 15, 2008

To Apply
All parts are required and will not be considered unless the application is complete: Send a cover letter, a completed AmeriCorps application, a résumé, 2 letters of reference, and a list of 3 references to:

Chip Darmstadt, North Branch Nature Center
713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Tel: (802) 229-6206
E-mail: Chip Darmstadt

Your letters of reference and reference list may overlap, but do not need to. In your cover letter, please respond to the following questions:

1) Explain relevant work and/or personal experiences you have had that would qualify you for an environmental education position at the North Branch Nature Center.
2) Describe the skills and talents that you could contribute to this position.
3) Describe the experiences and skills you wish to gain from this opportunity.

AmeriCorps applications are downloadable from the Vermont Community Stewardship webpage. You may also request a hard copy from the North Branch Nature Center.

Additional information on AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.org.

The Vermont Housing Conservation Board (VHCB) is sponsoring this AmeriCorps position through their Vermont Community Stewardship Program. The Friends of the North Branch Nature Center and VHCB are Equal Opportunity Employers. All Friends of the North Branch Nature Center, VHCB, AmeriCorps, and Vermont Community Stewardship Program positions are open to all applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran's status, religion or creed.