Operations and Volunteer Assistant AmeriCorps Member
Environmental Literacy Corps AmeriCorps Program:
The Environmental Literacy Corps (ELC) AmeriCorps program helps build resilience and address environmental issues in Arizona’s communities through education, outreach, and volunteer coordination projects. Members work with host sites such as public land management agencies, city and county governments, nonprofit organizations, and education institutions to help advance these goals across Arizona.
Host Site Information:
Friends of the Verde River is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Verde River and its watershed through stewardship, habitat restoration, education, and community engagement. The Verde River is one of Arizona’s last free-flowing rivers and supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, recreation, agriculture, and local communities. As Friends expands into its new Community Center, we are seeking an enthusiastic and environmentally minded Operations and Volunteer Assistant to help connect people to the river, support conservation programming, and strengthen volunteer involvement throughout the Verde Valley.
Position Title: Operations and Volunteer Assistant
Slot Type:
Three Quarter Time AmeriCorps Slot Type - 1200 total hours
29 hours per week for 42 total weeks
8/17/2026 to 6/6/2027
Reports To: David Gressly
Location: 4855 E Broken Saddle Dr, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Primary Function/Purpose:
The Operations and Volunteer Assistant plays an important role in supporting the daily operations of the Friends of the Verde River Community Center while helping advance the organization’s conservation and community engagement mission. This position combines volunteer coordination, environmental outreach, and event assistance in a collaborative nonprofit setting focused on watershed protection and stewardship. The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, community-oriented, and passionate about environmental conservation and public engagement. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working with people while contributing to meaningful environmental initiatives that directly impact the health of the Verde River and surrounding habitats.
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Community Center & Operations Support
- Assist with organization of the Community Center
- Help maintain a welcoming and mission-driven space for visitors, volunteers, and community partners
- Assist with setup, logistics, and breakdown for environmental programs, workshops, meetings, and community events
- Help manage educational materials, outreach displays, and conservation resources
- Provide visitor support and share information about Friends programs, stewardship opportunities, and river conservation efforts
Volunteer & Stewardship Support
- Help recruit, coordinate, and communicate with volunteers for stewardship projects and events
- Assist with volunteer scheduling, tracking, and day-of-event support
- Support volunteer activities including river cleanups, restoration projects, educational programs, festivals, and outreach events
- Help foster a welcoming and positive volunteer experience that encourages long-term community involvement
- Assist with preparing volunteer materials, sign-in procedures, and stewardship supplies
Environmental Education & Outreach
- Support programs that promote watershed awareness, conservation education, and environmental stewardship
- Engage with community members and visitors about the importance of protecting the Verde River ecosystem
- Assist with educational events, tabling opportunities, and public outreach efforts
- Help strengthen community connections to local conservation initiatives and outdoor experiences
Member Benefits:
- Bi-weekly pre-tax living stipend while in service: $914.29
- Segal AmeriCorps Education award after successfully completing service: $5,176.50
- Student loan forbearance and interest repayment for qualifying federal student loans
- Professional development opportunities and training
Qualifications:
- Passion for environmental conservation, community engagement, and nonprofit work
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Friendly, professional, and collaborative attitude
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Comfortable interacting with volunteers, visitors, partners, and the public
- Basic computer and administrative skills
- Ability to assist with physical event setup and move materials as needed
- Experience in environmental education, volunteer coordination, events, customer service, or nonprofit operations is a plus
- Interest in rivers, watersheds, wildlife, or outdoor stewardship strongly preferred
Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals upon request.
For more information, contact:
AmeriCorps@nau.edu | 928-523-6395
To Apply: https://in.nau.edu/center-for-service-and-volunteerism/apply-americorps/