Job Description

About the Program

BearCorps is dedicated to helping rural communities in California plan for and implement two of the most promising solutions to the climate crisis: regenerative agriculture and forest resilience. 

In agricultural communities, members will serve in conjunction and coordination with agricultural community entities including Resource Conservation Districts, Native American Tribes and non-profits, to expand the use of regenerative techniques.  In forest communities, members will serve in conjunction with local, state, and federal agencies, forest and industry groups to expand the use of techniques to reduce fire risk and improve watershed and soil health (and increase carbon uptake with broader benefits). Members’ activities will focus on farming and forest communities throughout California and will help address the needs of those communities, and promote state goals for healthy soils, improved watersheds, and wildfire impact.

Start Date: September 9, 2020

End Date: August 4, 2021

Location: Various Locations, CA (See Project Partners on BearCorps website)

Areas of Responsibility and Essential Functions

As AmeriCorps members, BearCorps members can only engage in specific goals or tasks. All members will only engage in:

• Capacity building projects to address resilience and local climate needs.
• Volunteer engagement to recruit and build volunteer services, and support existing volunteers.
• Professional development to build both professional skills and community development skills, and to enhance the esprit de corps experience.

Explanation of duties

All BearCorps projects will increase the capacity of local communities to promote resilience and response to climate needs. Examples of projects include developing local plans, inventorying risks and vulnerabilities, implementing pilot and demonstration projects, and engaging key stakeholders. 

Overall, all BearCorps members follow the same 4-stage intervention process to implement their service:

• Gap assessment where members identify capacity building goals
• Research, planning, and implementation projects to address these goals
• Volunteer recruitment activities to engage the community in efforts
• Transitioning of knowledge to community members

Through this intervention model and these specific service activities, the member’s service will support BearCorps’ performance measures, including building local resilience capacity, completing professional development, and engaging volunteers.

Schedule Requirements

• Hours are generally Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 5:30 (varies by placement site), averaging 40 hours per week including some evenings and weekends.
• Serve a minimum of 1700 hours during the term of service.
• Of their total hours, the member is expected to log no fewer than 120 training hours, but is able to log up to 20% of their total hours as training hours. The remaining 80% of hours will be dedicated to public agency capacity building projects.
• The member will also log approximately 100 hours for volunteer engagement activities, which will be a mix of training and service hours.
• Must participate in 4 service days throughout the service year – Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, AmeriCorps Week, and LGC-identified Service Day (TBD)

Benefits of Service

In exchange for their service, members will receive the following benefits:

• Annual Living Stipend of up to $20,000 paid out semi-monthly
• Medical health insurance at no cost
• Education award that can be used for eligible student loans, tuition, and other education related expenses after successful completion of your service year. See more information: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award/amount-eligibility-and
• Forbearance and Interest Accrual Repayment of Eligible Student Loans
• Child care expense reimbursement if you qualify – see www.americorpschildcare.com 

Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications

BearCorps members must have completed at least a 4-year degree and ideally have relevant experience in a related field. An ideal candidate will have the following characteristics:

AmeriCorps Requirements

• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Be at least 17 years of age
• Ability to pass FBI, CA Department of Justice, out-of-state (if applicable), and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks prior to service

BearCorps Requirements

• A 4-year degree (i.e. BA/BS) from an accredited college or university
• Commitment to the full term of service (11 months, 1,700 hours)
• Capability to serve in a professional office setting
• Strong communication (both verbal and written) and teamwork skills

Strongly preferred

• A degree in a related field
• Past service experience (e.g., volunteering, community service, etc.)
• Experience with, or training in, outreach, facilitation and/or education
• Comfort with quantitative tasks, including data collection and analysis

This is an equal opportunity position.

Functional Requirements

Mental/Emotional Agility 

• Must maintain a professional attitude at all times and show respect toward site supervisor, co-workers, staff, and all other individuals the member engages with
• Must be able to adapt to change in a work environment, accept constructive feedback, effectively handle multiple tasks and competing demands, work cooperatively in a group, actively resolve conflicts, and work independently
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks

Safety Requirements

• Ability to be committed to a high standard of safety and willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the program’s safety policies and rules
• Be aware of safety protocols and report and issues to appropriate supervisory or management personnel

Physical Requirements

• Meet the program essential job functions; reasonable accommodations available upon request

How to Apply

Job Categories: Sustainable Agriculture / Food. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 20,000 - 40,000.

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