In this position, you will be an AmeriCorps Member leading NCEF’s Common Ground Program in the your region of Nebraska. The purpose of the Common Ground Program is to build a statewide infrastructure of Nebraskans who care deeply about conservation and who are knowledgeable about how to manage Nebraska’s natural resources. You will be responsible for leading this work in your of the state. This position provides you with an excellent opportunity to learn management skills and take leadership in a new, innovative program.
We are recruiting members for four different regions of the state. The regions are as follows:
Southwest Nebraska (coverage area will likely include McCook, North Platte, Lexington, and Ogallala)
Nebraska Panhandle (coverage area will likely include Scottsbluff, Gering, Bridgeport, and Mitchell)
Southeast Nebraska (coverage area will likely include Lincoln, Beatrice, Nebraska City, Crete, and Seward)
Northeast Nebraska (coverage area will likely include Omaha, Columbus, Norfolk, South Sioux City, and Wayne)
When you send in your application, please indicate which region you are applying for.
Service Activities
As an AmeriCorps member with NCEF, you will build local capacity to manage Nebraska’s resources by increasing knowledge of and concern for the most important conservation issues facing our state. You will recruit, coach, and support local community volunteers in implementing conservation projects, and build partnerships between conservation professionals, local and state government, and your fellow community members.
Members will organize monthly educational and service learning opportunities in each of the targeted communities in their region.
Essential Responsibilities Will Include:
• Recruiting a minimum of three community volunteers in each of the targeted communities in the member’s region.
• Helping community volunteers organize monthly educational events and/or community discussions focused on conservation issues.
• Helping community volunteers organize monthly service learning projects that often benefit local partners, such as the Natural Resources Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, or local nonprofit organizations that focus on conservation. These service learning projects include (but are not limited to) water testing, planting native grasses, or recycling efforts.
• Assisting in the development of long-term conservation projects.
• Identifying and engaging individuals and organizations with an interest in conservation issues.
• Manage collection and analysis of surveys measuring increased knowledge about conservation issues and/or belief that it is important to responsibly manage our natural resources.
• Expanding and strengthening partnerships between NCEF and local entities and organizations already working on conservation issues in the region.
• Members may be required to phone bank and/or canvass on occasion, in order to accomplish the program objectives.
• Maintaining accurate contact records of every person who engages with the Common Ground Programming listed above.
• Weekly reporting of time, mileage, and any other requirements as directed by the Program Director.
Community Need Addressed
Protecting and conserving Nebraska's environment and natural resources requires a population that is well-informed and engaged in environmental stewardship and/or environmentally-conscious practices. Unfortunately, the quality of Nebraska's environment does not exhibit robust environmental stewardship:
• Nebraskans rank 32nd on environmental quality (a composite measure of air quality, water quality, soil quality, energy efficiency, and total municipal solid waste per capita). https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987/#main-findings
• Nebraskans rank 43rd on eco-friendly behaviors (a composite measure of the number of LEED-certified buildings per capita, percentage of energy consumption from renewable sources, energy consumption per capita, gasoline consumption per capita, water consumption per capita per day, number of alternative-fuel vehicles per capita, and green transportation). https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987/#main-findings
• Nebraskans rank 47th on climate change contributions (a composite measure of carbon dioxide emissions per capita, methane emissions per capita, nitrous oxide emissions per capita, and fluorinated greenhouse-gas emissions per capita) https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987/#main-findings
• The most recent assessment of the Ambient Stream Monitoring Network from Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality found that 76 of the 97 monitored stream segments were impaired (some segments had multiple impairments). An impairment means the stream water quality does not meet state requirements for at least one of its designated uses (either recreation, drinking water, irrigation water, or the support of aquatic life). Water Monitoring Programs Report_2016.2.10
• Nebraska's waterways are the sixth worst in the nation for toxic pollution, and most of the contamination is because of nitrates http://journalstar.com/news/local/report-nebraska-s-waterways-are-th-worst-in-nation-for/article_b52146f6-a1e1-5c97-983c-93eadbf9e03d.html
• Nebraskans, per capita, rank fifth in the country in the amount of garbage they send to landfills. http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/regional/nebraska-recycling-falls-short-of-national-average/article_113167a4-2965-11e5-a194-bfdc13a1e1dc.html
• Less than half of Rural Nebraskans think that it is important for food production to be environmentally friendly -- 2010 Rural Poll http://ruralpoll.unl.edu/pdf/agenergyandfood.pdf
• Less than a quarter of Rural Nebraskans think that water should be used for the preservation of habitat of threatened or endangered species -- 2013 rural poll http://ruralpoll.unl.edu/pdf/13waterandclimate.pdf
• Sixty-one percent of Rural Nebraskans think that preserving wildlife habitat should not be a high priority for land and natural resource use -- 2012 Rural poll http://ruralpoll.unl.edu/pdf/12resources.pdf
These statistics demonstrate that there is a statewide need for improved environmental stewardship.
Position Outcomes
This program will improve environmental stewardship in Nebraska.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
public speaking, project management, community organizing, event planning, conflict resolution, facilitation
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, 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