Climate Action Leader (AmeriCorps Member) – Multiple States

Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC) builds the capacity of campuses and their community partners to create change that leads to increased energy efficiency and improvements for at-risk ecosystems by implementing local solutions for underserved households and communities.

CCAC is a nationwide AmeriCorps program through Campus Compact, a coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to advancing the public purposes of higher education. A projected 100+ AmeriCorps members will be leveraged by higher education institutions and their community partners to support the CCAC program areas of Energy Efficiency, Ecosystem Health, and Education & Public Awareness. 

Position Overview

We seek 20 energized and passionate leaders to become Full-Time (1700-hour) AmeriCorps members who will serve as Climate Action Leaders. CCAC Climate Action Leaders will serve at one of our campus host sites across the nation. For a complete list of current host sites, please see our interest form.

The Climate Action Leader will work closely with CCAC staff, their host site supervisor, other AmeriCorps members, community partners, volunteers, and campus staff and students to design and implement a Climate Action Plan. The Climate Action Leader will serve as the team lead at their campus host site, which may include providing guidance to part-time CCAC AmeriCorps members. The Climate Action Plan will support CCAC’s community-focused program activities and may also support campus-based projects. The Climate Action Leader will be responsible for developing campus and community partnerships and coordinating program activities that aim to increase energy efficiency and improve at-risk ecosystems for underserved households and communities. Exact duties may vary slightly by campus host site. 

Essential Functions

General Responsibilities:

• Collaborate effectively with the host site supervisor, other AmeriCorps members, community partners, volunteers, and campus staff and students to design and implement a Climate Action Plan
• Develop community partnerships and leverage volunteers to support CCAC program activities

Home Energy Efficiency:

• Conduct basic home energy assessments with low-income households in the local community
• Provide households with energy conservation strategies and resources to reduce carbon emissions and increase cost savings
• Implement low-tech interventions to reduce energy use and increase cost savings for underserved households (e.g. weatherization, LED light bulbs, window-insulation inserts)
• Serve as a home energy navigator, educating low-income households on government programs and assisting households to apply for rebate and subsidy programs

Ecosystem Health:

• Plan and execute a community-driven project that improves a local at-risk ecosystem (e.g. removal of invasive species, tree planting, installation of rain gardens)

Education and Public Awareness:

• Coordinate and facilitate education events in underserved communities to increase awareness about climate change, environmental/financial impacts of energy usage, and strategies for reducing personal energy use
• Support CCAC’s national public awareness campaign on the local level on campus and in the community

Evaluation & Reporting Requirements:

• Complete and submit accurate and timely biweekly timesheets and monthly data reports
• Develop a Sustainability Guide that ensures the long-term viability of projects
• Member performance will be assessed through a mid-term evaluation and end-of-term evaluation

Training Requirements:

• Attend a week-long virtual orientation at the beginning of the service term
• Attend 3-day Early Service Training (tentatively in-person)
• Engage in ongoing training sessions to support green career pathways
• Attend weekly virtual All Corps Meetings
• Participate in Life After AmeriCorps training workshops and career action planning activities in June
• Participate in an AmeriCorps Day of Service

Note: The responsibilities above are essential position functions and are subject to reasonable accommodations.

Non-Essential Functions:

The Member may be required to perform other position-related instructions within the scope of their normal service activities as requested by their site supervisor and/or AmeriCorps program staff in alignment with the grant and not unallowable or prohibited activities.

Service Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Must be at least 17 years old
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Must pass a National Service Criminal History Check
• High school diploma or equivalent is required
• Must be located in or willing to relocate to a host site area
• Valid driver’s license and car, and/or dependable transportation  
• Personal commitment to climate action and environmental stewardship
• Motivated team leader with exceptional organizational skills 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and comfortable with public speaking

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience engaging community partners and/or college students 
• Experience with outreach, volunteer recruitment & management, or event planning
• Experience in environmental education, environmental stewardship, sustainability, or home energy efficiency

AmeriCorps Disaster Requirements:

In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps Members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by AmeriCorps to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of the Member’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale, high needs local, state, or federal disaster, AmeriCorps Members may voluntarily or be required by AmeriCorps to deploy to an area outside of their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities.

Term of Service: The Full-Time AmeriCorps member must complete at least 1,700 hours during the service term, which will run from August 26, 2024 through July 31, 2025.

Service Location: CCAC Climate Action Leaders will be placed at one of our campus host sites across the nation. Our host site locations are still being finalized. If you would like more information, please complete our interest form and a CCAC representative will contact you.

Benefits:

CCAC Climate Action Leaders receive AmeriCorps benefits, including a living stipend and Segal Education Award. As a Full-Time AmeriCorps member, the Climate Action Leader will receive:

• A living allowance of $18,700 total for the service term. It will be distributed evenly in bi-monthly installments via direct deposit and is taxable income. 
• A $7,395.50 Segal Education Award. This award is contingent upon the successful completion of the program, is good for 7 years, and can be used to pay for college or technical school or to pay back qualified public student loans.
• Childcare assistance for qualifying members
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for qualifying members
• Professional development and an enhanced professional network 

To Apply:

For more information, please email Glennys Navarrete gnavarrete@compact.org. The application priority deadline is July 15, 2024. Applications are received on a rolling basis after that. 

About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges.

About Campus Compact: Campus Compact is a coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to advancing the public purposes of higher education and an intermediary sponsor for an AmeriCorps VISTA program. We support our member institutions—helping them build the knowledge, skills, and capacity needed to enable a just, equitable, and sustainable future.

Campus Compact does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), or any other basis prohibited by law.