Family Campout & Stewardship Americorps Program

Arizona State Parks is pleased to announce a new AmeriCorps program, supported by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, through the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families and the Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

The new Family Campout and Stewardship Program will be launched at selected parks Spring 2013. This program gives families who are not comfortable with camping the opportunity to visit, learn about, and camp at Arizona State Parks, while experiencing how to safely recreate on public lands, and completing an environmental service project.

Arizona State Parks is seeking 5 full-time AmeriCorps members to act as Program Coordinators to assist in the development of this new program. Program Coordinators will be responsible for creating and implementing the program, in conjunction with the agency’s Volunteer Resources Planner, Marketing department, and field staff. Additionally, Program Coordinators will promote and market the program, recruit and schedule program participants and volunteers aged 55+, and interact/foster relationships with community organizations and businesses for program support.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a National Service initiative, promoted and supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service. It allows individuals to donate their time and talents to non-profit and government agencies. It’s a chance to apply skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. AmeriCorps members can service full or part time in communities near to them, or across the country. More specific information is available at www.americorps.gov

Member Requirements
AmeriCorps members in the Arizona State Parks Family Campout and Stewardship Program must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Be a US citizen, US national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
Be able to pass background and fingerprint clearance process for working with children.
Have a valid Driver’s License

Member Benefits
AmeriCorps members in the Arizona State Parks Family Campout and Stewardship Program will be eligible for:

A living allowance
Health benefits
Child Care benefits
An Educational Award depending on hours served
Possible housing on-park

Hiring Now!

Arizona State Parks is accepting applications for 5 AmeriCorps Family Campout and Stewardship Program Coordinators through October 5, 2012. Full Job Description available below.

To apply, you may either send a resume to: narmstrong@azstateparks.gov (please put Family Campout Program in the subject line) or apply on-line at http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/overview/index.asp. You will have to create an account in the My AmeriCorps system.

Interviews will be scheduled the week of October 8, 2012 (phone interviews will be available) and members will be asked to start their service no later than October 29, 2012. For further information and questions, please contact Nicole Armstrong-Best at narmstrong@azstateparks.gov or 602-542-7152

Job Description

Position Title: Family Campout and Stewardship Program Coordinator

Reports to: Nicole Armstrong-Best, Volunteer Resources Planner

Location: One of the following Arizona State Parks: Catalina State Park (Tucson), Dead Horse Ranch State Park (Cottonwood), Kartchner Caverns State Park (Benson), Lost Dutchman State Park, (Apache Junction) or Patagonia Lake State Park (Patagonia/Nogales)

Allocation: AmeriCorps Member – Funding provided by the Arizona Office of Children, Youth and Families, through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Members receive a Living Allowance of $12,100 for a 10 month, full-time contract term.

Primary Function/Purpose:
Arizona State Parks is launching a new program at selected parks called the Family Campout and Stewardship Program. This program gives families the opportunity to visit, learn about, and camp at Arizona State Parks, while experiencing how to safely recreate on public lands, and completing an environmental service project.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Family Campout and Stewardship Program Coordinators report directly to the Volunteer Resources Planner. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Research organizations within the local community that can support the program
Develop and implement strategies for collaboration with local organizations for support of the program
Work with park staff to determine areas of the park that can be used for program activities
Work with park staff to determine the service project work
Present information regarding the program to community groups, park staff, board and/or commission members, etc.
Create marketing materials for the program
Create necessary paperwork for the program
Develop program clinic outlines
Develop program timelines and schedules
Create volunteer recruitment materials for the program
Talk with media regarding the program (with approval)
Recruit, schedule and orient program participants
Recruit, schedule and orient program volunteers
Collect data that align with program performance measures
Provide detailed monthly reports that align with program performance measures

Service Term: 10.5 months, 1700 hours. Full-time, at least 35 hours per week, weekend and evening work is required.

Benefits:

Living Allowance ($12,100 for 10.5 month contract period)
On-park housing may be available on a case by case and park by park basis (these are rustic accommodations with limited cooking facilities and restroom/shower access in close proximity to sleeping areas, but not always adjacent or in the same building).
Health Benefits as required by the Corporation for National and Community Service
Child Care (as provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service)
Segal Education Award based on hours completed that can be used for qualified educational expenses for up to 7 years

AmeriCorp Member Qualifications:
Candidates should have an Associate’s Degree, with a Bachelor’s Degree preferred. We seek individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds but place priority on those with qualifications in parks and recreation management, environmental education, teaching, volunteer management, social service, science-based (geology, archaeology, biology, forestry, etc.), public administration or non-profit management. Experience working with children and families is preferred. We seek members with life experiences, maturity, flexibility, self-directed, cross-culturally aware, interested in service, possessing good judgement, with computer experience, and outstanding oral and written communication skills. An ability to plan and follow through will be essential. Operating independently, but also working as a team member with park staff and volunteers is critical.

Knowledge of:

Public communication and speaking
Group dynamics
Environmental ethics
Volunteer management
Event planning

Skill in:

Maintaining interpersonal relationships
Oral and written communication
Outdoor activities (i.e.: camping, geocaching, hiking, canoeing)
Planning and organization
Project management

Ability to:

Create and implement program at state parks
Demonstrated ability to manage time well
Interact with and give presentations to groups of people
Live in the community near one of the 5 parks
Meet deadlines
Use computers for internet research, document development, and presentations
Recruit, train, and support volunteers aged 55+
Spend extended amounts of time outside
Work in inclement weather conditions
Work independently and in conjunction with agency employees, volunteers, and families

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