Project R.O.A.R. (Regional Outreach Awareness Recruiters) members may serve individually alongside their A.N.T. (AmeriCorps Non-native Plant Terminators) counterparts or in pairs at the state park district administration office(s)or within a specific state park focusing their efforts on volunteer recruitment, outreach, and interpretation. R.O.A.R. members assist volunteer managers to promote parks’ protected resources, recruit and manage volunteers, and interpret why the park’s resources are so important, in addition they work to promote the FLCC program and AmeriCorps.
They work weekly with Project A.N.T. members and other R.O.A.R. members in various capacities including outreach events, workdays, strike team projects, trail projects, interpretive material creation, and by promoting Project A.N.T. projects, etc. They spend a large portion of time on the computer using various volunteer management/outreach and graphic design platforms, communicating with community partners, managing/coordinating park/volunteer events, and creating outreach interpretive material.
Project R.O.A.R. members are the educators for environmental stewardship, and help foster the service-related mindset.
Once applications are reviewed, potential members will have the opportunity to choose which district/ park they are interested in. Site supervisors at the park or district are responsible for conducting interviews.
Service Activities
Recruiting volunteers
Volunteer management activities
Active outreach in state parks and approved establishments
Treating invasive plant species with Project A.N.T. members
Trainings and certificates
Creating/designing outreach material
Project management
Training coordination
Volunteer reports
Community Need Addressed
Project R.O.A.R. members work with Florida Park Service District Administration staff and State Park Staff to conduct volunteer recruitment through various outreach and interpretation methods. They also assist with volunteer management activities and promoting the FLCC program and state parks.
Position Outcomes
Members will assist with the goal of bringing more volunteers into Florida's State Parks, interpreting to the public how to protect, appreciate, and support their state parks, and conducting outreach to vulnerable/minority populations connecting them their Florida State Parks. These members will also assist with increasing awareness of Florida State Parks, the Florida Conservation Corps, and AmeriCorps overall.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Housing available at some locations
TRAINING/BENEFITS AVAILABLE (SOME VARY DEPENDING ON LOCATION/RESOURCES)
• Interpretation
• Leadership
• Professional Development
• Conflict Resolution
• Outreach/Interpretation
• Disaster Response (AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team)
• CPR/First Aid/AED
• Effective Communication
• Resume/Cover Letter Workshop (Life After AmeriCorps)
• Interview tips and technique
• Trail maintenance & tools training
• Hatchet and machete training/use
• Herbicide application training
• Use/maintenance of large equipment
• Hauling trailers, use, and safety
• Park/District Specific
• S-130/S-190 (Wildfire Training)
• ATV/UTV Certification
• DEP Boater safety
• Scuba Certification
• Tractor Training
MONETARY BENEFITS
• Loan deferment
• Childcare Assistance through AmeriCorps
• Full Term (Feb - Dec) Members receive a $7,395.00 Education award at the completion of service
• Half - Term (July - Dec) Members receive a $3,697.50 Education award at the completion of service
• Monthly Living Stipend: $1,550.00 (pending approval for increase to $2,200) for both half-term and full-term members
• Free health insurance through FLCC Program
• Access to Member Assistance Program
• Free access to Florida State Parks
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCE (VARIES WITH LOCATION/RESOURCES)
• An AmeriCorps experience in our Florida State Parks
• Natural resource management individual and group projects
• Plant identification
• Chainsaw training and use
• Water sampling
• Interpretive material creation (presentations, flyers, videos, programs, etc)
• Network with FISC, CISMA, Forestry, FWC, FTA, ACT, and other natural resource management organizations/groups - attend events to represent FLCC
• Endangered/protected species monitoring
• Training and use of large equipment (tractors, marsh masters)
• Tool maintenance (chainsaws, trail tools, herbicide application tools, hatchets, machetes, hand saws, vehicles, ATV, UTV)
• Hike over various Florida terrain (no, it's not all flat) and see parts of state parks not seen/open to public
• Cultural/historical resource rehabilitation
• Participate in prescribed fire
• Create/maintain/improve public trails
• Professional development
• Introduction to federal and state policy and guidelines
• Experience entering data and retrieving reports for progress tracking
• Manage and/or participate in strike teams and service projects
• Network and build relationships with natural resource professionals
• Community outreach and interpretation
• Flyer and graphic design and development
• Opportunity to recruit volunteers and lead volunteer projects
• Table at community events
• Participate in disaster response recovery efforts
• Participate in park events (Florida Folk Festival/Fire Fest, other)
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
CPR/First Aid
CIG - Certified Interpretive Guide
Foundation of Basic Interpretation
Other
Skills you will gain
Volunteer reporting and management
Public speaking
Project management
Interpretation skills
Presentation skills
Understanding state government policies and procedures
Natural resource management
Other
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment