Organization: Great Peninsula Conservancy 

Program: Great Peninsula Conservancy Land Labs 

Service Location: Bremerton, Washington 

Timeline for Service: February 16th, 2021 – February 16th, 2022 

The Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) Land Labs program will utilize local protected lands to enhance the quality of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in Bremerton, Washington schools. Hands-on science projects will support the vision of the Washington State Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan and meet the requirements of Washington State Science and Learning Standards (WSSLS). The program will engage students directly in big picture environmental concerns affecting their local communities, and open students’ eyes to professional opportunities in the environmental science field. The Land Labs program will help prepare students from low-income families and underachieving schools for success in post-secondary education and careers in STEM. 

Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting the natural habitats, rural landscapes, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula region of west Puget Sound, Washington.  

Member Duties: 

The Land Labs Site Coordinator VISTA will index the educational values and outreach opportunities at Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) Land Labs; manage public access improvements, habitat restoration projects, and community science opportunities; and write management plans that will support the climate-resilience of Puget Sound’s forests, streams, and shorelines. In addition, the Site Coordinator VISTA will be part of the team developing the organizational capacity of GPC.   

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Index preserves based on their ability to host education and outreach opportunities; 
• Write stewardship management plans; 
• Design service-learning and community science projects that align with state learning standards;
• Assist in managing volunteer work days, youth field trips, and outreach opportunities; 
• Collaborate with a diverse team; 
• Develop, maintain, and expand the Land Labs program. 

Qualifications: 

• Passion for Great Peninsula Conservancy’s mission and vision; 
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field; 
• Strong writing skills; 
• Strong communication skills; 
• Strong organizational skills; 
• High degree of initiative and spirit of service; 
• Preferred: experience working in conservation, stewardship, or environmental field; 
• Preferred: experience in volunteer management; 
• Preferred: experience with GIS software. 

AmeriCorps VISTA: 

This Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) VISTA position is funded by the Corporations for National and Community Service and will serve within the AmeriCorps VISTA program. AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Each VISTA member makes a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. To learn more about the AmeriCorps programs visit americorps.gov.