The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical community needs, and increase volunteerism. By taking on a year of service, you can positively impact your community while gaining skills and experience. The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. Commonwealth Corps members with the Westport River Watershed Alliance will serve 10.5 months in a full-time capacity. They will join a corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to put their talents and ideas to use in the service of their communities and the Commonwealth. Westport River Watershed Alliance’s mission is to restore, protect, celebrate and sustain the natural resources of the Westport River and its watershed. WRWA has been a leading environmental agency for over 40 years with three overarching goals- preserve and improve the watershed, advocate for wise use of natural resources, and educate the public about the interrelationship of water, soils, plants and living species. WRWA is seeking two fulltime Commonwealth Corps Environmental Educators to deliver our Watershed Education Program (WEP) to students in grades PreK-12, to strengthen a student volunteer program and to encourage family involvement in outreach programs.

Responsibilities (Essential)

• Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of service from August 17, 2020 through June 26, 2021.
• Attend all required Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA (minimum of 6 total, post orientation) and WRWA, including a new member orientation on August 17 & 18, 2020.
• Participate in a minimum of 1 hour of MSA-approved professional development-related activities each week (in person or virtually).
• Help deliver and teach the WEP to over 3,000 children in grades PreK-12 in local schools.
• Plan and teach the field study component of WEP.
• Plan and launch weekend events including volunteer training and family engagement programs.
• Engage, train and organize 75 volunteers for new citizen science projects to assist with monitoring the watershed.
• Complete program materials and handouts for the volunteer training and events. Marginal
• Support WRWA staff with all organization events such as River Day, Oars and Paddles Winter Art Show, and Electronic Recycling.

Qualifications (Required)

• Massachusetts residency (must be able to provide proof of current MA address) and legal authorization to work in the United States
• 18 years of age or older
• Experience with or interest in volunteerism and community engagement
• Ability to balance service commitment with other family/work/school/community commitments in a sustainable way
• Interest or knowledge in Environmental Science
• Ability to multi-task and to tackle a wide range of tasks at the same time
• Professional organizational skills: time management , keeping deadlines, project coordination
• Energy and enthusiasm for sharing environmental science topics
• Commitment to the mission of WRWA
• Ability to speak publicly to groups of 25-30 and communicate with all ages
• Driver’s license to drive between sites in your own vehicle, as well as the WRWA vehicle
• Ability to frequently move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds for various classroom programs and events

Preferred

• Experience with outdoor learning, informal teaching settings
• Knowledge of natural history of South Eastern Massachusetts
• Prior experience teaching, working, or volunteering with youth Member66767

Term of Service

Position Start Date: August 17, 2020

Position End Date: June 26, 2021

Service commitment will average 38-40 (full-time) hours per week, generally Monday-Friday, 8:30am4:30pm; Days and times will vary occasionally based on school schedule and weekend family programs; plus, approximately 1 weekend program per month, with advanced notice.