Environmental Outreach Technicians (USBR, Lake Berryessa)

The Research Associates (RA) Program at Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with US Bureau of Reclamation’s Lake Berryessa Field Office is recruiting 2 Environmental Outreach AmeriCorps Members to support in Lake Berryessa’s Boater Outreach Program (LBBO) this summer. Environmental Outreach Technicians work on the Boater Outreach Program which promotes environmentally sound boating practices to protect local waterways from pollutants. Members  conduct one-on-one outreach by administering the Dockwalker survey, in partnership with the CA Coastal Commission, on weekends between Memorial Day to Labor Day. The program also includes reducing oil pollution by ensuring hundreds of boaters install oil absorbents that physically capture potential pollutants such as boat oil and fuel. Finally, the team will serve as ambassadors for Berryessa’s nascent Leave No Trace program.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays,  individuals selected for this position will report to the Solano RCD office located in Dixon, CA, and will conduct public outreach at marinas and boat launches at Lake Berryessa. On Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, AmeriCorp members report directly to Lake Solano County Park in Winters, CA, and drive  to the Lake Berryessa Field Office in Napa, CA promoting and demonstrating Leave No Trace principles at the Markley Turnouts during their morning drive and while staffing the Dufer Point Visitor Center in the afternoons.

While supporting the LBBO program, members  will be exposed to both internal and external stakeholders. Internally, these include members of the Lake Berryessa Field and Central California Area Offices as well as colleagues with the Solano County Resource Conservation District, Napa Resource Conservation District, and Solano County Water Agency. Members will come into daily contact with external stakeholders including boaters and day users from Napa and Solano Counties and a large contingent of bi-lingual guests from East Bay communities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Using teaching methods and devices geared to the characteristics of the intended audience, including  language, cultural background, and interest areas, the Interpretation and Public Outreach Technician  will assist with environmental stewardship projects on public lands (e.g.  litter clean-ups, water quality education, etc.) and with the production of public education materials. Projects will enhance the creation, promotion, facilitation, and improvement of the public’s  understanding of natural resource concerns, as well as recreational opportunities within the service area. Service duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Researching, compiling and writing scientific and historic information to be used for outreach via mobile application(s) and social media, as well as more traditional means of information  exchange;
• Providing interpretation at public events and through other visitor outreach venues;
• Developing and presenting interpretive demonstrations, lectures, structured talks, impromptu talks, guided tours and other presentations about the physical and cultural resources of the service area to a variety of individuals and groups;
• Reduce oil pollution in Lake Berryessa by ensuring hundreds of boaters install oil absorbents to physically remove or capture potential pollutants such as boat oil and fuel;
• Conduct one-on-one outreach and education to boaters by administering the Dockwalker survey in partnership with the CA Coastal Commission, plus stakeholder-driven custom surveys conducted with recreational users at day use areas;
• Distribute free educational resources focusing on water quality and water pollution prevention; 
• Maintain a free bilge pad exchange program that enables boaters to properly dispose of contaminated oil absorbents and install a clean absorbent in their boat bilge compartment; and
• Improve public awareness of Leave No Trace principles and model positive stewardship practices with the public.

Timeline:

• 13-weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: The program starts mid-May. Hours are Thursday through Monday from approximately 8AM to 4:30PM. Technicians are expected to work all holidays and holiday weekends (including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day). Individual placement duration and schedule may be flexible depending on student availability.

Location:

Lake Berryessa, within Napa County, California, is approximately 26 miles long, 3 miles wide at its largest point, and has about 165 miles of shoreline. AmeriCorps members serve a visitor population of approximately 1.2 million people per year, providing visitor services and ensuring visitor and resource safety in a 3.5 mile long day use park area, five resort launch ramps, and multiple dispersed recreation sites.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance: approximately $325 weekly (before taxes); not to exceed $4,225.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450 Award): $1,956.35 upon successful completion of term.

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Members will be required to procure personal lodging.

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Student Loan Forbearance:

If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:

As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:

AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Required:

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Experience with public speaking, outreach, education, and engagement; 
• Strong passion for public education and outreach around environmental and positive stewardship objectives; 
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• Successful applicants may be asked to complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to USBR human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application; and
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Preferred: 

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, education, communication or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience; (current students pursuing a relevant degree are strongly encouraged to apply); and
• Some Spanish language proficiency.

Direct Hire Authority: 

Upon successful completion of the rigorous summer internship and subsequently earning a degree, RAIs may be non-competitively appointed to any Federal competitive service position for which they qualify. 

How to Apply: 

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Note:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.