Minnesota GreenCorps AmeriCorps Member

Minnesota GreenCorps AmeriCorps Member

Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide AmeriCorps program coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), with a mission to preserve and protect Minnesota's environment and strengthen communities. MN GreenCorps members serve full-time at local governments, tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions throughout the state. Members address critical environmental issues and help communities build climate resiliency while gaining green skills and networking with environmental professionals. We are currently seeking candidates for two refill positions in the Energy Conservation & Green Transportation topic area. Members chosen for these roles will join a team of 56 members who began in September and will continue through mid-August.

AmeriCorps Term and Schedule: January 15, 2025. Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm typical. Occasional evenings/weekends may be required for some positions.

Locations: Positions are available in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Housing is not provided; members must secure housing near their service location.

Projects: Responsibilities, location, and driving requirements for each position are below:

American Lung Association, St. Paul (Driving required, Fleet vehicle available)

Summary: Reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled by promoting green transportation options such as shared and electric mobility, electric vehicles (EV), and other alternative fuels.

• Promote shared and electric mobility as part of new clean transportation action plan, gather additional information on electric mobility and alternate forms of transportation, and attend community outreach events to share resources to reduce vehicle miles travelled.
• Promote electric school buses by contacting district transportation directors, hosting webinars, creating content for the Clean Air Choice website, and attending related conferences to network and promote opportunities.
• Manage two electric mobility ride-and-drive events, coordinating EV owner volunteers, recruiting dealerships and vendors, developing a map and route for test drives, collecting pre and post-surveys from participants, and compiling a report.
• Develop communications materials such as social media, editorials, and e-newsletters.

Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, Minneapolis (Driving required, Fleet vehicle available)

Summary: Support communities, including those in Greater Minnesota, in applying for Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) status with the League of American Bicyclists and assist in the facilitation of Bicycle Friendly Workshops.

• Provide outreach and connect with greater Minnesota communities, collaborating with contract staff and board members to strategize about expanding BikeMN's reach across the state.
• Prepare, plan and assist with the facilitation of Bicycle Friendly Workshops, communicate with potential attendees, and collaborate with stakeholders and state agencies.
• Engage with current BFC partners to evaluate how they can improve their BFC status.
• Provide ongoing support and plan implementation to current BFC partners, and evaluate potential barriers to increasing bike usage.

Benefits: Members earn a living allowance disbursed every two weeks in payments of $1150 (pre-tax), free mental health services with counseling, student loan forbearance on eligible loans, and an education award of $3,697.50 for education expenses or qualified student loans. Members receive training from the MPCA, develop green job skills, gain professional experience, network with environmental professionals, and are paired with a mentor who provides ongoing guidance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Must be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps and commit to completing the service term.
• Must have two years post-secondary education (a two-year associates degree or completion of sophomore year in a four-year degree program) or equivalent of 6 months professional experience (volunteer, internship, or work). Candidates with degrees in relevant fields such as Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Biology, Forestry, Geography, or similar disciplines will be prioritized during the selection process in addition to candidates with related environmental professional experience.
• Must have a demonstrated interest in the environment and/or service in community work.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to work well independently and on diverse teams.
• Ability to take initiative and effectively manage projects.
• Ability to research and organize information.
• Effective communication, presentation, and writing skills.
• Functional computer skills: word processing, spreadsheet, database management.

Physical Requirements

• Most positions are primarily based in an office setting and require sitting, standing, and operating a computer and telephone.
• Most positions require light to moderate lifting, bending, stooping, kneeling, and carrying.
• Some (limited) positions require the use of hand tools and/or power tools. Personal protective equipment and safety training will be provided.
• Some (limited) positions require the ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, such as wind, rain, and high or low temperatures on uneven terrain for up to 8 hours at a time.

Additional Requirements 

• Positions that perform driving require a valid driver's license and ability to pass a driving record check. Some positions require access to a personal vehicle for transportation.
• Per AmeriCorps regulations, all positions require the successful completion of a criminal history check, including an FBI fingerprint check.