Groundwork Lawrence is hiring 2 AmeriCorps members

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Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow - AmeriCorps Positions with MassLIFT at Groundwork Lawrence

Program Overview: The Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT) is a new AmeriCorps program developed by a collaboration of regional land trusts and watershed associations to meet critical community needs for land protection, including the initiation of new projects, stewardship of protected lands, outreach to the broader community, and service learning opportunities to engage young people in conservation. Twenty AmeriCorps members will serve in the second year of this program. Their activities as land stewards, regional conservationists, service learning coordinators, and outreach coordinators will strengthen the efforts of Massachusetts communities and their MassLIFT partners to protect open space for farms, working forests, trails, wetlands, parks, community gardens, and other lands of conservation and local importance.

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Positions: 1 Outreach Coordinator & 1 Service Learning Coordinator

The Community Outreach Coordinator working with Groundwork Lawrence will engage community members in the stewardship of a new 2.5 mile Spicket River Greenway, Lawrence’s emerald bracelet, which runs through the city’s poorest neighborhoods. The Coordinator will organize community members to help with 1) ongoing clean-up and restoration needs along the Greenway, 2) rain gardens and native plantings, and 3) the 2011 and 2012 Spicket River Cleanup. In addition, the Coordinator will work with GWL’s project manager to identify and develop park projects including the Lawrence to Manchester Rail Trail, the Merrimack Riverwalk, and the acquisition of a 7.85 acre urban wild at the confluence of the Merrimack and Spicket Rivers.

Preferred Qualifications:
• A strong interest in working with community groups, landowners and municipalities on land conservation and stewardship projects.
• Experience in urban, low-income communities
• Comfortable presenting in front of groups
• Strong writing, communication, and networking skills
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and interest in learning new computer programs
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal), translation skills a plus

Desired Qualifications:
• Experience developing and managing volunteer programs
• Experience with service learning
• Experience with Graphic Design, ArcView, AutoCAD, GIS, and Adobe products is a plus
• Marketing experience
• Familiarity with urban planning and/ landscape architecture
• Familiarity with Lawrence, Massachusetts
• Lawrence residents strongly encouraged to apply

The Service Learning Coordinator will support and expand Groundwork Lawrence’s youth programs including an environmental leadership and youth employment program, a schoolyard gardening program, an outdoor classroom program, and an urban adventures summer camp run in collaboration with Mass Audubon. The Coordinator will help develop curriculum, support program implementation, and work with partners on projects such as certifying vernal pools in Den Rock Park, park clean-ups, and trail maintenance. The member may also develop youth projects based on their own conservation education interests and skills.

Required Qualifications:
• A strong interest in land stewardship and hands-on conservation projects
• Experience in urban, low-income communities
• Successful experiences working with youth, especially teens
• Strong writing, communication, and networking skills
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal), strong translation skills a plus

Desired Qualifications:
• Experience developing curricula and/or service learning activities
• Experience leading outdoor environmental education programs
• Experience with or a desire to learn about trail maintenance and/or community gardens
• Experience with Graphic Design and Adobe products a plus
• Lawrence residents strongly encouraged to apply

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AmeriCorps Member Requirements

The 2011 MassLIFT program will run from September, 12, 2011 until August 24, 2012. All MassLIFT AmeriCorps members are expected to serve full-time, serve for the entire 11.5 month term, and complete 1,700 hours of service. This 1,700 hour commitment includes night, weekend, and flexible hours, and time spent in trainings and in meetings with the full MassLIFT team. Applicants must also meet the following AmeriCorps requirements:

• A US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.
• At least 18 years of age and a minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• Pass a criminal offender record information check
• Has served in AmeriCorps no more than three previous terms.

AmeriCorps programs provide equal employment opportunities. MassLIFT will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request.

Compensation:
Members will earn a stipend of $12,100 over the 11.5-month term of service. Upon completion of the program they will receive a $5,550 education award which can be used to pay off existing school loans or apply to future education. AmeriCorps covers members’ health care insurance. Childcare assistance may be provided in cases of financial need. Pending continuation of the MassLIFT grant, members may continue to serve in this program for up to two years.

Application Procedures:
Email a resume, a 1-2 page cover letter, and three references that we may contact to Dee Robbins, MassLIFT Program Manager at robbins 'at' mountgrace 'dot' org and please copy Rosa Pina, Groundwork Lawrence at rpina 'at' groundworklawrence 'dot' org. Please mention in your cover letter what you hope to learn/experience from participation in our AmeriCorps program and describe your interest in community engagement. The application deadline is August 1, 2011. Additional applications will be accepted and reviewed on an as needed basis. No calls please.

Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) has been making change happen since 2001. Through its environmental and open space improvements, food security programs, youth education and employment initiatives, community programming and events, GWL creates the building blocks of a healthy community, and empowers Lawrence residents to improve their quality of life. GWL achieves results by engaging the whole community – residents, youth, non-profits, city government and businesses – in the planning and realization of its projects. With this collaborative approach, GWL ensures that all stakeholders are mutually invested in its outcomes, the key to stable neighborhoods and sustainable change.

AmeriCorps is a federally funded program that supports a broad range of local and national nonprofit groups by engaging thousands of Americans in intensive service to meet critical community needs. In 2011 more than 300 organizations across the country have been awarded AmeriCorps grants to help them address pressing social and environmental issues, and foster an ethic of civic engagement.

The Massachusetts Service Alliance established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the state commission on community service and volunteerism. Its mission is to catalyze the innovation and growth of service and volunteerism by creating partnerships that maximize resources, expertise, capacity, and impact.