Ann Arbor Climate Corps AmeriCorps Program (R&D)

Join the Ann Arbor Climate Corps AmeriCorps program to be part of Ann Arbor's equitable, sustainable, and transformative transition to community-wide carbon neutrality. The Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) hosts the program to expand OSI's capacity to reach Ann Arbor residents and help them engage with A2ZERO, the city's plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps members will spend time educating, engaging with, and helping individuals understand their unique opportunities to improve comfort, enhance health and safety, reduce energy bills, and enhance resilience to address the climate crisis. Members will also work with Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation to improve natural systems in vulnerable communities through increased stewardship. Members will gain valuable knowledge and skills that are essential for climate adaptation and neighborhood resilience. Ann Arbor Climate Corps is a member of the American Climate Corps and is a great opportunity for individuals anywhere on their climate action journey, whether you are just beginning and want to learn more or have skills and experiences that you want to bring to the broader community.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume for review. 

About AmeriCorps:  AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation's most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers in intensive service roles and empowers millions more to serve as long-time, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

Applying to the Ann Arbor Climate Corps AmeriCorps program is a two-part process. This first step is to submit your application through the City of Ann Arbor portal. Staff in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations will screen candidates and notify those who are selected for the team. These selected candidates will then receive instructions to submit their application with the AmeriCorps Agency to complete the process. Successful completion of both application processes is necessary to be a member of the Ann Arbor Climate Corps AmeriCorps Program.

Members complete their AmeriCorps term of service with the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations. AmeriCorps members will receive a living stipend for the entirety of the term of service and may be eligible for health care, childcare assistance, and a Segal Education Award through the AmeriCorps Agency. This position is not for employment with the City of Ann Arbor.

About American Climate Corps: The American Climate Corps is a Biden-Harris Administration initiative to train young people in high-demand skills for jobs in the clean energy economy. It aims to put a new generation of Americans to work conserving our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, advancing environmental justice, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and tackling climate change. Learn more at ClimateCorps.gov

PURPOSE: One of five (5) Ann Arbor Climate Corps Members that aid in building capacity, conducting outreach, and performing service projects that support the City and its residents in achieving a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030. Ann Arbor Climate Corps currently has openings for three (3) three-quarter and two (2) full-term AmeriCorps members. The specific tasks and duties associated with this project are listed below.

Description of Duties

AmeriCorps Member Position Assigned Service Activities include:

• Conducting direct outreach to residents and businesses regarding energy, environmental, cost saving initiatives related to the City of Ann Arbor's A²ZERO carbon neutrality plan.
• Providing support to OSI staff teams to create engagement plans, outreach materials, informational brochures, social media content, short educational videos, and other materials as appropriate to engage and educate residents in relevant climate actions and opportunities in Ann Arbor.
• Conducting outreach to residents at public events, including helping to organize and prepare materials for distribution at public events.
• Conducting direct outreach to businesses on ways they can reduce energy consumption.
• Educating residents on City of Ann Arbor's residential energy programs, including Solarize, Home Energy Rating Disclosure Ordinance, and the Home Energy Advisor Program
• Assisting in conducting and delivering A²ZERO Home Energy Assessments (HEA) to residents that identify energy, health, and comfort saving opportunities customized for each household. Members may be trained on the HEA and work closely with City staff and project partners on this task.
• Supporting the expansion of the urban tree canopy by helping plant trees and supporting a tree survival study to understand areas where trees are thriving and areas where more tree planting is necessary.
• Supporting residents with creating emergency preparedness plans and emergency preparedness kits.
• Supporting the Natural Area Preservation team in controlling the expansion of invasive species by conducting field visits and species removals, as necessary.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Work collaboratively with others in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations to advance shared goals and deliverables.
• Present plans and design concepts effectively at public meetings. Address opportunities, complaints, and inquiries from residents and others with respect and timeliness.
• Develop intermittent reports, memorandums, or other written summaries of findings and lessons learned Participate in regular team and sub-team meetings and strategy sessions.
• Evening and weekend hours required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Have or will obtain the diploma/GED to be in accordance with the PD manual requirements
• Be 18 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit)
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of or interest in climate change, urban sustainability, or social equity.
• Experience or strong interest in public engagement and facilitation
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to effectively communicate through strong oral and written communication to a diverse audience, including stakeholders with basic or advanced understanding of sustainability
• Ability to organize people, information, and materials, with an ability to be detailed-oriented in delivering high quality services and experiences
• Listen to understand the intended meaning of the message

 Schedule

• Working hours are expected to be, on average 9-5pm Monday – Friday. Limited night and weekend work will be required and schedules adjusted to ensure the Member never exceeds 40 hours/week.
• Members are required to participate in events such as national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service.
• Members will also be required to attend mandatory safety, nondiscrimination, and other onboarding training provided to all City of Ann Arbor staff (even though the Member is not a formal City of Ann Arbor employee).

 Benefits

• Living Allowance paid in biweekly installments:
  • Full Term, $33,500; Three-quarters term $23,450
• Segal Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service:
• Full Term, $7,396; Three-quarters term $5,176.50 Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for eligible members
• Childcare coverage for eligible members
• Student loan forbearance for eligible loans

Physical Demands

• Hours served with Office of Sustainability and Innovations
  • Positions in this class typically require: reaching, lifting, grasping and repetitive motions.
  • Individual must be able to either hear, talk, or see.
  • Individuals may be required to move and lift light objects less than 20 lbs. such as mail, files, and supplies. Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
  • The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.
  • When doing outreach, members may be outside for extended periods of time, standing for extended periods of time, or walking for extended periods of time.
  • Outreach during seasonal weather may include hot or cold temperatures.
• Hours served with Natural Areas Preservation team
  • May include hiking long distances in and out of parks carrying tools
  • Work often involves routine moderate lifting and carrying items up to 50 lbs.
  • Work may be performed off the trail on uneven terrain
  • In addition, work will require seasonal exposure to weather conditions (both hot and cold), including rain, snow, and ice and working in adverse weather conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

See job description