GrizzlyCorps Climate Fellow

About the Program

GrizzlyCorps is an AmeriCorps program designed by Project Climate at UC Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment in partnership with CaliforniaVolunteers. Our program sends recent college graduates into rural communities across California to promote regenerative agri-food systems and fire and forest resilience. We aim to expand capacity for organizations working on community resilience and climate action while bolstering the next generation of professionals at the forefront of climate change solutions. 

Each year, GrizzlyCorps sends 35 full-time fellows to placement sites in forest and farm communities throughout the state for 11 months. Our fellows have been placed with a variety of host partners and organizations, including cooperative extensions, resource conservation districts, Tribes, research stations, non-profits, and other community organizations and agencies. Fellows support their hosts through a series of capacity-building projects that aim to improve the impact of their work, build community resilience, and respond to climate change. During their service year, GrizzlyCorps Fellows work on selected projects that promote regenerative agri-food systems and/or fire and forest resilience. 

• Start Date: September 2022
• End Date: August 2023
• Location: Various locations in California

Areas of Responsibility and Essential Functions

As AmeriCorps members, GrizzlyCorps Fellows can only engage in specific goals or tasks. All Fellows will only engage in:

• Capacity building projects to address resilience and local climate needs.
• Volunteer engagement to recruit and build volunteer services, and support existing volunteers.
• Professional development to build both professional skills and community development skills, and to enhance the esprit de corps experience.

Tasks and Functions Include:

• Work on projects promoting regenerative agri-food systems, forestry and/or fire resilience in conjunction with community needs determined with site supervisor. 
• Maintains detailed and accurate records of activities, including but not limited to accurately recording service hours and submission of bi-weekly timesheets. 
• Notifies appropriate program staff of any concerns at the service site. 
• Participates in community service projects and volunteer recruitment activities including those on National Service Days. 
• Adheres to all AmeriCorps, program, and service site rules and regulations. 
• Submits monthly progress reports and commits to annual media submissions. 
• Wears program-issued AmeriCorps uniform at all times while serving 
• Maintains a consistent service schedule conducive to completing the minimum number of service hours. 
• Attends training sessions provided by GrizzlyCorps and program site supervisors. 
• Regularly checks for program-related email correspondence daily and responds accordingly.

Explanation of duties

All GrizzlyCorps projects will increase the capacity of local communities to promote resilience and response to climate needs. Examples of projects include developing local plans, inventorying risks and vulnerabilities, implementing pilot and demonstration projects, and engaging key stakeholders. 

Overall, all GrizzlyCorps Fellows follow the same 3-stage intervention process to implement their service:

• Gap Assessment where Fellows identify capacity building goals 
• Research, planning, and implementation projects to address these goals
• Transitioning of knowledge to host partner and community 

Through this intervention model and these specific service activities, the Fellow's service will support GrizzlyCorps’ performance measures, including building local resilience capacity, completing professional development, and engaging volunteers.

Schedule Requirements:

• Hours are generally Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 5:30 (varies by placement site), averaging 40 hours per week including some evenings and weekends.
• Serve a minimum of 1700 hours during the term of service.
• Of their total hours, the Fellow is expected to log no fewer than 120 training hours, but is able to log up to 20% of their total hours as training hours. The remaining 80% of hours will be dedicated to community based capacity building projects.
• Must participate in 3 service days throughout the service year – Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, and AmeriCorps Week. 

Benefits of Service:

In exchange for their service, Fellows will receive the following benefits:

• Annual Living Stipend of $22,000 paid out monthly
• Medical health insurance at no cost (including vision and dental) through The Corps Network
• $10,000 education award that can be used for eligible student loans, tuition, and other education related expenses after successful completion of your service year. See more information: Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
• Forbearance and Interest Accrual Repayment of Eligible Student Loans
• Child care expense reimbursement if you qualify : www.americorpschildcare.com

Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications

GrizzlyCorps Fellows must have completed at least a 4-year degree and ideally have relevant experience in a related field. An ideal candidate will have the following characteristics:

AmeriCorps Requirements

• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Be at least 17 years of age
• Ability to pass FBI, CA Department of Justice, out-of-state (if applicable), and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks prior to service

GrizzlyCorps Requirements

• A 4-year degree (i.e. BA/BS) from an accredited college or university
• Commitment to the full term of service (11 months, 1,700 hours)
• Capability to serve in a professional office setting
• Strong communication (both verbal and written) and teamwork skills

Strongly preferred

• A degree in a related field
• Past service experience (e.g., volunteering, community service, etc.)
• Experience with, or training in, outreach, facilitation and/or education
• Comfort with quantitative tasks, including data collection and analysis

To Apply

• Please submit an application through our website: https://www.grizzlycorps.org/fellows 
• Your application will require three short essay responses (500 words or less) describing your experience and interest in the position and at least two academic and/or professional reference contacts. Any questions on the position may be directed to grizzlycorps@berkeley.edu.

This is an equal opportunity position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.