Individual Placement AmeriCorps Members serve with WisCorps partner organizations focused on the areas of natural resource conservation and environmental education. Members promote community service and environmental awareness through direct training and service in the outdoors while participating in community engagement projects. Service Members serve at a single placement site, receive a biweekly stipend and AmeriCorps benefits that correlate to their term of service. Upon successful completion of their service hours, Individual Placements receive a Segal Education Award correlating to the number of service hours completed.
Service Activities
Individual Placement Members will be responsible for participating invaluable opportunities focusing on environmentally conscious activities through programming for community involvement. Members will spend time researching, maintaining, and cultivating interest in area community gardens, community conservation programs, and assist with volunteer mobilization and recruitment. Members will be supported and mentored by WisCorps headquarters staff, placement site staff, and team leaders throughout their term of service
Community Need Addressed
The Individual Placement position will meet a variety of needs including capacity building for nonprofits, performing conservation projects, increasing public education, and creating access to more resources for the community.
Position Outcomes
Quantifiable changes will be increased food donated to the community, invasive species removed, trails constructed, affordable and energy-efficient homes built, and many public environmental education events.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Individual Placements will gain skills in leadership, communication, programming, and various sustainability and conservation-related skills. Depending on the placement site, members will have the opportunity to learn some of the following skills:
-Trail Building
-Gardening
-Power Tool Usage
-Invasive Species Removal
-Carpentry
-Volunteer Recruitment
-Youth Development
-Marketing
-Community Outreach
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