One AmeriCorps VISTA member is sought for this position, with a start date of November 7, 2022 and and end date of November 6, 2023. Applications are accepted from August 12-September 23, 2022. The annual VISTA living allowance for this position is $17,600.30.
Service Activities
The VISTA will conduct a community assessment to guide in resilience planning. They will collect and evaluate information about past and current activities on the Fort Peck Reservation by local and state agencies and other organizations related to climate adaptation planning and community resilience. The VISTA will support the Office of Environmental Protection and partner organizations to field test and evaluate resilience planning protocols, including the Montana Resilience Framework and the GAP grant opportunity. The VISTA will coordinate and engage project partners to develop recommendations for further resilience projects on the reservation that advance action steps in the Montana Climate Solutions Plan and the Montana Ready Communities Initiative.
Community Need Addressed
The Fort Peck Reservation is home to two distinct American Indian nations—the Assiniboine and Sioux. Each is composed of subordinate bands. The Canoe Paddler and Red Bottom bands comprise the Assiniboine. The Hunkpapa, Sisseton, Wahpeton and Yankton groups constitute the Sioux. The accelerating effects of climate change are expected to have increasingly negative impacts upon the residents of the Reservation, interfering with economic activities such as tourism, recreation, and agriculture, as well as posing a threat to residents through an increase in natural disasters, such as flooding, wildfire, and drought. By developing an assessment of climate impacts and recommending responses, this position will improve the climate resilience of the Reservation.
Position Outcomes
The goal of this VISTA project is to create a Climate Action Plan, following recommendations in the Montana Climate Solutions Plan, that will guide the Tribal Council and government on how to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change while enhancing the community’s resilience and ability to bounce back from natural disasters such as wildfire, flooding, and drought. Low-income individuals and communities are disproportionately affected by climate change, and this project will address these disparities by allowing the Fort Peck Tribes to better serve low-income populations in response to climate change.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
10 Days of Personal Leave; 10 Days of Sick/Medical Leave; Professional development and training opportunities; Eligible for hiring preference with Employers of National Service.
Skills you will gain
Community leadership, Public outreach and communications, Coalition building, Climate assessment.
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