COMMUNITY SPECIALIST

Job Description

Apply promptly! A high volume of applicants is expected for the role as detailed below, do not wait to send your CV.

2027 COMMUNITY SPECIALIST

(JANUARY– DECEMBER)

ABOUT EARTHCORPS:

EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that believes all people and nature can thrive together. Our aim is to create a global community of environmental leaders through local, hands-on service to the land and community. Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive year-long training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in leadership, environmental restoration, and culturally resonant community building.

EarthCorps is committed to work that closes persistent and pervasive gaps, expands access and opportunity and promotes values of fairness in outcomes, belonging and respect. We prioritize fair access to environmental benefits, community-centered environmental practices, and balancing environmental outcomes across under-included communities. Each year, we strive to build a cohort program reflective of many different perspectives and experiences. Through this lens, EarthCorps builds a network of leaders who have the skills to build a bright future, while restoring vital lands and waters and connecting people to nature. This work is ongoing, and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about our work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization towards a healthy, welcoming, and sustainable community for us all.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The EarthCorps program is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in community collaboration and habitat restoration. Volunteer Specialists will serve on a team of 3-4 AmeriCorps members. Volunteer Specialists at EarthCorps have an opportunity to directly improve the resiliency of our land by restoring habitat, improving water and air quality, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon all while inspiring and engaging the broader community to become stewards of our shared resource. The Volunteer Specialist assists in all aspects of organizing, managing, and delivering volunteer and community-centric events.

This position provides a mix of field experience along with office and projects planning experiences. The amount of time spent outdoors or in the office fluctuates throughout the year. Field work includes onsite leadership of volunteers of all ages, plants removal, native plant installation, facilitating outdoor educational activities, tabling at community events, maintaining tools and equipment, and completing additional non-volunteer field projects with other crew members. Office tasks include planning community and volunteer events, maintaining systems, and designing/implementing outreach and educational activities for a variety of audiences.

In addition to impactful service, specialists will grow professionally and personally through training, engaging with environmental agencies, collaborating with staff, providing feedback, and practicing structured reflection. Corps members learn valuable team building skills as they work on bridging a wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds, their cross-cultural communication skills, conflict resolution management, and value-driven leadership capacity.

This position is supervised by the Program Director, with support from the CV Team Coordinator and EarthCorps project managers. The Community Specialists will participate in an orientation as well as designated retreats, workshops, and other training throughout the duration of the position. The Community Specialist role is offered through AmeriCorps. As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Coordination and Implementation:

• Support and lead high quality, safe, and educational community and volunteer events every Saturday and some weekdays.
• Support and lead high quality youth events for elementary through high school students
• Mentor, guide, and inspire EarthCorps volunteers and community members of all ages.
• Support team projects and programs like youth internships for students under 18.
• Assist the CV Team with the coordination of volunteer events, field projects, site restoration planning, and documentation of work completed.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment activities such as hosting information tables and posting fliers.
• Maintain EarthCorps Volunteer Program materials, tools & vehicles.
• Complete non-volunteer restoration projects as needed by the organization.

Outreach (15-20%)

• Connect with community partners, volunteers and youth especially in South King County communities via promotion of events, educational tabling, and speaking events, social media, and other methods as appropriate
• Create monthly social media posts to share out on community events
• Promote EarthCorps volunteer opportunities in South King County, with focused attention on the communities closest to project sites.
• Develop post event follow up communications to share, encouraging volunteers to continue participation in community events.

Communication:

• Strive for professional, clear, timely and open communication amongst staff and corps participants utilizing Microsoft 365, MS TEAMS, Salesforce CRM, organizational tools, and other partner agency platforms when needed.
• Prepare oral and written reports, including before and after photos of volunteer events, work logs, work project summaries, equipment use and maintenance logs, and incident reports.
• Meet regularly with EarthCorps staff and supervisors to coordinate projects and goals. xhyhwjd
• Communicate clearly and regularly to ensure materials, vehicles, and staffing are adequate and appropriate to meet community and volunteer event needs.

Training

• Attending regular program workshops, site visits, an