Position Description for Full-Time* AmeriCorps Member at the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance

2019-2020

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance (NWA) works primarily in Sussex County, DE, and in Dorchester and Wicomico Counties in Maryland to conserve the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Nanticoke River watershed. Major programs at NWA are the Nanticoke Creekwatchers Volunteer Water Monitoring Program; environmental education (primarily working with seventh graders in Wicomico County); SAV monitoring on local waterways; outreach programs that focus on backyard conservation activities geared toward homeowners; recreational paddles and use of waterways; and trash clean-ups.

*NWA is willing to consider someone who wants to serve at the half-time level (900 hours).

AmeriCorps Member responsibilities with the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance will include:

• Assisting with the Nanticoke Creekwatchers program (training volunteers, monitoring sites, assisting with sample collection and lab delivery and analysis)
• Leading programs on field trips and assisting with stewardship activities at Wicomico County middle schools
• Assisting with outreach programs, trash cleanups, and at outreach events in the community

Benefits available to AmeriCorps Member include:

• Valuable experience
• A bi-weekly stipend of $583
• An education award of $6,095 for future educational expenses or repayment of student loans
• Federal student loan forbearance while in service, with exemption from paying interest accrued during that time
• 6 tuition-free credits at Salisbury University for completion of training course
• Health insurance and child care reimbursement, if eligible
• Access to AmeriCorps Alumni Network

Requirements for applicants include the following:

• Have a strong interest in serving the community
• Be able to relate to diverse populations
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Able to provide copy of either high school diploma, GED, or college transcript
• Have reliable transportation
• Be available to attend the tuition-free, AmeriCorps class at Salisbury University bi-weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive Criminal History Check, which includes FBI fingerprinting
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident alien

 The member will begin on or after August 15^th, 2019 and must complete 1700 hours by August 14^th, 2020.

*NWA is willing to consider someone who wants to serve at the half-time level (900 hours).

This position is offered through a partnership with ShoreCorps, the AmeriCorps program at Salisbury University. It is contingent upon federal funding and approval of the AmeriCorps office.

To fill out an application, visit www.salisbury.edu/americorps and click on ‘Become a Member.’

AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs. Similar to the Military or the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps is another form of service to our country. The mission of AmeriCorps is to make our people safer, stronger and healthier; to strengthen our communities; and to Get Things Done for America. Our program, ShoreCorps, is one of hundreds of AmeriCorps programs nationwide. To learn more about AmeriCorps https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps

Salisbury University has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and equal employment and educational opportunities for its faculty, staff and students. To that end, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. The University adheres to the EEO/AA policies set forth by federal and Maryland laws. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to: Humberto Aristizabal, Associate Vice President of Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator, Room 100 Holloway Hall, 1101 Camden Ave. Salisbury, MD 21801; Tel. 410-543-6426.

Nanticoke Watershed Alliance is one of many potential Host sites for the 2019-20 Chesapeake Conservation Corps service year. In the Chesapeake Conservation Corps young professionals can gain vital green jobs skills and build a network of connections in the environmental field. This one-year term of paid service places young adults (ages 18-25) with nonprofits or government agencies to work full-time in the environmental field in the Chesapeake watershed. Throughout the year the Corps provides hands-on professional and leadership experience through on-the-ground work leading and assisting with projects and programs, extensive trainings, and other service-learning opportunities including grant writing. This initiative is supported by the Trust, BGE an Exelon Company, the National Park Service and the state of Maryland.

The purpose of the Corps Program is 1) to enable young adults to work with organizations and communities on issues impacting the Chesapeake Bay, and 2) to better prepare young adults pursuing careers in the environmental field.  Corps Members will work on projects and programs that fall into at least one of six categories (environmental restoration, community engagement, environmental education, energy conservation, sustainable agriculture or forestry), gain career and leadership skills, and become more engaged through meaningful community service.

If successfully matched with Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, the Corps Member will:

• Assist with an award-winning, Tier 3 volunteer water quality monitoring program,
• Help teach seventh graders in classrooms, at field trips, and with stewardship activities,
• Work with the Cambridge Residential Stewardship Initiative (CRSI) to install rain gardens and other conservation practices,
• Assist with a new river grass volunteer survey program, seed collection, and seed dispersal or grow-out,
• Help educate and empower communities about conservation actions,
• Coordinate trash clean-ups and other activities,
• Explore recreational opportunities on the river and its creeks, including drafting new paddling itineraries for the Paddle the Nanticoke website, and
• Learn about small nonprofits and become an integral member of the team.

Low-cost housing may be available for the successful applicant.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust anticipates placing around 35-40 Corps Members, young adults 18-25, with nonprofit organizations and government agencies throughout the Chesapeake Bay region for a paid year of service ($18,500) beginning on August 20, 2019.  To find the application go to https://cbtrust.org/prospective/.

Applications must be submitted through the Trust’s online system by March 14, 2019 at 4:00 pm.

For any questions about becoming a part of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps, contact Senior Program Officer Tara Drennan, tdrennan@cbtrust.org or 410-974-2941, ext. 102. 

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance (NWA) has taken feedback from partners and stakeholders to help the organization better serve the needs of the community as the organization moves into the future.

The Board of Directors and NWA staff worked together to identify long-term objectives and the steps it would take to achieve goals. The strategic plan was created to act as a road map that will help guide the organization’s focus on certain projects to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their “Partners in Conversation,” along with all other community members in the Nanticoke River Watershed.

Click Here for a downloadable version of the Strategic Plan