The primary role of an AmeriCorps Green School Coordinator is to inspire and equip K/12 students, teachers, school administrators, parents and staff to make their schools and communities more sustainable. In partnership with schools in Southeast Michigan, including Detroit Public Schools, you will help form and lead school green teams. With your support and guidance, green teams will assess their schools, set goals, and carry out hands/on greening projects that foster health, student learning, and community engagement while reducing environmental impacts and utility costs.
Service Activities
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Recruit and convene a group of students, school staff, and faculty to serve as a school’s green team in elementary, middle, and high schools
• Support teachers who wish to incorporate Detroit/specific sustainability lessons into their curriculum (such as a classroom energy audit)
• Facilitate opportunities for parents to participate in home energy conservation and other sustainability workshops
• Contribute to program development and administration through communications, graphic design, lesson development, energy analysis, etc.
• Lead a team of high school students in a green summer jobs program where students are paid, receive a college scholarship, and are able to work within a topic of their interest such as weatherization, green building, food justice, etc.
• Lead a high school afterschool program where youth plan and implement community greening projects
• Serve as role model and mentor students for success in college and future careers
• Maintain safe, productive, and enjoyable work environment
Community Need Addressed
Metro Detroit residents, particularly children and youth, suffer disproportionately from environmental problems that are harmful to their health and financial well-being. These problems include inefficient and expensive energy and water use in homes and schools; poor indoor and outdoor air quality; and lack of access to and knowledge about positive behavioral practices such recycling and eating healthy and nutritious foods.
Position Outcomes
As an AmeriCorps Green School Coordinator your service addresses the community need for improved environmental sustainability knowledge and practice in and around Detroit by providing environmental sustainability education and coordinating service learning projects.
The majority of activities occur in K-12 schools with some activities benefitting households and the broader school communities. The outcomes of the program are to achieve increased knowledge, skills, and attitudes on environmental literacy for students, teachers, and parents (short-term); reduce environmental impact through improved energy and water conservation practices and increased recycling rates at schools and in homes (medium term); and improved socioeconomic status through the pursuit of post-secondary education and connections to green career pathways for participating students (long-term).
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
We offer a retention bonus to members who return for another year of service with the Youth Energy Squad
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Utility Tracking, Classroom Management, Marketing, Graphic Design, Facilitation, Relationship Building, Mentorship, Environmental Studies, Event Planning, Time Management
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, 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, 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, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, 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