Each year, GrizzlyCorps places 35 full-time fellows with partner organizations in forest and farm communities throughout the state of California for 11 months. Our fellows have served with a variety of host partners and organizations, including non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, University of California Cooperative Extension, Tribes, research stations, and other local government agencies. Throughout the year fellows complete capacity-building projects that aim to improve the impact of their host site’s work, build community resilience, and respond to climate change. During the service year, GrizzlyCorps Fellows work on selected projects that promote regenerative agri-food systems and/or fire and forest resilience.
Areas of Responsibility and Essential Functions:
As AmeriCorps members, GrizzlyCorps Fellows are required to engage in specific goals or tasks. During the year, GrizzlyCorps Fellows focus their service on:
- 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 professional and community development skills with a focus on social emotional learning and technical, field specific career training.
Tasks and Functions Include:
- Promotes regenerative agri-food systems, forestry and/or fire resilience in conjunction with community needs through capacity building projects.
- Maintains detailed and accurate records of activities, including but not limited to accurately recording service hours and submission of monthly progress reports.
- Notifies appropriate program staff of any concerns at the host site.
- Participates in community service projects and volunteer recruitment activities including those on National Service Days (i.e. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Cesar Chavez Day).
- Adheres to all AmeriCorps, program, and host 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 host sites.
- 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 forestry management plans, creating outreach and engagement strategies, supporting technical assistants programs, 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
Schedule Requirements:
Hours are generally Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 5:30 (varies by host 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 $28,000 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
The Priority Application cycle for the GrizzlyCorps Climate Action Fellowship Program is open now and closes March 31st. Apply here: https://www.grizzlycorps.org/fellows