Green Iowa AmeriCorps empowers Iowa communities through energy education, home weatherization, and outreach. This grant-funded community service organization housed at the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education (UNI CEEE) in Cedar Falls has six satellite offices in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Des Moines Dubuque, Storm Lake & Fairfield, Iowa. This unique grassroots program actively facilitates energy conservation efforts for residents throughout Iowa.
In addition to performing direct service, members of Green Iowa AmeriCorps are encouraged to expand personal energy efficiency knowledge. Our program hopes to train the next generation of ‘green-collar’ workers through a combination of field trips, presentations, and hands-on learning. Members have the opportunity to build leadership abilities through specific coordinator roles, which allow each member to contribute unique skills to the program. Members have access to free trainings, learn about green building techniques, and engage in extensive community engagement.
Each of Green Iowa AmeriCorps locations offers unique service opportunities that allow members to provide service in partnership with city initiatives, universities, cutting edge nonprofits and impactful community action agencies. Service with Green Iowa AmeriCorps is a year like no other, providing you an opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives on a daily basis all while gaining work experience that is going to put you leaps and bounds ahead of your peers in the energy and environmental sector.
Service Activities
MEMBER DUTIES
• Audit/Weatherize Homes 2-4 days/week
• Facilitate energy education programs 1-2 days/week
• Participate in community outreach projects 1-2 days/week
• Assume one of the following team leadership roles:
-Logistics, Audit, Education, Marketing, or Outreach/Special Events
• Build personal energy efficiency knowledge, Serve as a community resource
• Plan and oversee at least 1 individual community volunteer generating project (VGP)
Community Need Addressed
The goal of Green Iowa AmeriCorps is to reduce the energy burden for Iowans, especially for those most affected by rising energy costs, through residential energy efficiency services, education and community outreach. Our program will focus on individuals who are low-income, persons with disabilities, individuals 65 and older and Veterans.
Position Outcomes
AmeriCorps members will be responsible for providing 907 energy audits, weatherization of 615 homes and 300 energy education programs completed for 4,200 participants.In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage an additional 1,000 volunteers who will be engaged in community projects to support environmental stewardship and energy efficiency services.
Member will hold leadership responsibilities that will not only help the program reach these target metrics but provide ongoing skill development in leadership, communication, multi-tasking, team work and organization. Our program views the impacts and changes on the members that serve with us as paramount and the outcomes and changes we see in our clients and communities.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Timekeeping, written and verbal communication, event planning, curriculum building, community networking, public speaking, conflict resolution, troubleshooting, fundraising, marketing, customer service, sensitivity, project planning, volunteer management, leadership, task delegation, weatherization skills, construct basics, energy efficiency knowledge, sustainability practices, organization and professionalism
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