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Restoration Team Leader

The Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) is seeking
Restoration Team Leader applicants for its 26th Program Year
Service Term: 10/6/2019 - 7/14/2020
Application Due: June 28th, 2019

Join a team of 48 committed individuals engaged in watershed protection, community outreach, education, and restoration projects! Spend 10 ½ months working alongside WSP’s Region II Coordinator in San Luis Obispo (SLO) and other local WSP Placement Sites Mentors in SLO County.

During their service, Team Leaders participate in a wide array of activities, including:
WSP Team Leaders assist with the training and coordination of education, outreach, and volunteer events for WSP Members within Region II. Each Team Leader provides support and leadership to WSP Members in their district (about 12-13 Members) and assists WSP staff with events and program coordination. See WSP’s Placement Site Map for district divisions.
Additionally, Team Leaders model best practices and support networking among Members, building capacity and community across sites. WSP’s Team Leaders are integral Members of the support team and are central to developing the Members’ experience.
The specific responsibilities will differ depending on individual assignments and the Team Leader’s interests/strengths, but the main duties include:

Watershed Recovery and Restoration:
·        Assist SLO County with low flow monitoring projects across 65 sites, to track dry season instream flow trends of sites that historically supported Steelhead Trout rearing habitat. This project will not exceed 15 days in the spring and 15 days in the summer.
·        Train with local WSP Mentors and learn the protocol for snorkel, bioassessment, and spawner surveys.
·        Team Leaders may work in the local plant nursery and/or maintain rainwater gardens on the CCC center from time-to-time.

Volunteer Recruitment Coordination and Restoration Event Support:
·        Attend and support in all Watershed Awareness Projects (WAP) within the Team Leader’s specific district. This includes driving to the event in a state vehicle, transporting necessary tools, assisting in quality control of restoration projects, and being present at the event as a WSP representative. These events often occur on weekends.
·        Support Members in WAP development including, proposal editing, volunteer recruitment, media outreach, completion of the necessary paperwork, reviewing safety materials, and general check-in prior to the event.
·        Organize/manage a large-scale Watershed Awareness Project that all Region II Members will attend, with the direction and assistance of WSP’s Region II Program Coordinator.

Wonders of Watersheds (WOW!) Education Coordination and Support:
·        Assist Members in organizing their Wonders of Watersheds (WOW!) educational series by contacting teachers and helping coordinate classroom visits.
·        Assist and support Members in curriculum implementation and classroom management as requested.
·        Use of Excel to manage Education Program information.
·        Maintain WSP’s educational materials and oversee the Member check-out system.
·        Work in partnership with the California Conservation Corps on a series of educational presentations for CCC corpsmembers.
·        Teach at least six one-hour WOW! Lessons to at least 25 students.
·        Field-test new WOW! curriculum.

Outreach Coordination and Support:
·        Create the Tributary Tribune, a quarterly newsletter for WSP.
·        Help to create outreach presentations using software such as Illustrator, Publisher, and PowerPoint.
·        Serve as a Member representative to the WSP Advisory Committee by attending semi-annual meetings, and presenting position-specific program updates.
·        Help to maintain WSP’s social media presence.
·        Organize and track Member activities during National Service Days.
·        Represent WSP to the community and media, as necessary.

Member/Program Support:
·        Collaborate with fellow Team Leaders, CCC Corpsmembers, WSP Members, and CCC and WSP Staff.
·        Maintain regular communication with WSP Members in the specified district (12-13 Members).
·        Assist WSP staff in planning WSP trainings and events.
·        Assist with photo and video documentation at all WSP events.

Qualifications for Applicants:
  • 21+
  • High school diploma
  • 25 credits of college-level science OR 6 months of relevant experience in fisheries/habitat restoration, invasive removal, in-stream structure installation, etc.
  • Interest and experience in natural resources management and environmental education
  • Possess or be willing to obtain a California Driver's License
  • Clean driving record (no more than 2 points)
  • US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien

Preferred Skills and Qualities for Team Leaders:
·        Flexibility and desire to travel and network
·        Willingness and desire to learn and receive feedback
·        Effective communication skills – effective communicator in a group setting
·        A good basis of relevant skills and experiences
·        Willingness to relocate to San Luis Obispo area

Benefits Include:
  • Opportunity to travel often and make a difference in many Californian communities
  • A monthly living stipend: $1,999
  • A Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of approximately $6,095 upon successful completion of the 10 ½ month service term
  • No-cost medical insurance
  • Student loan forbearance on eligible loans
  • Hands-on training and mentoring opportunities
  • Uniform and field gear provided
  • Ample networking opportunities
  • Optional Room/Board (dorm space and meals) at the Los Padres CCC Center for $350/month

Watershed Stewards Program Overview:
For 25 years, the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) has been engaged in comprehensive, community-based, watershed restoration and education throughout coastal California. The primary focus of WSP is to assist communities and organizations with habitat restoration for salmonids (Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout) in order to rehabilitate these threatened and endangered species to healthy and historic populations. Additionally, WSP provides watershed education and outreach in high-needs communities throughout the state, engages WSP Members in volunteer recruitment efforts to increase the capacity and reach of partner organizations, and helps Members develop into the next generation of natural resource professionals.

Each year, WSP places approximately 48 Members with natural resource organization Placement Sites throughout California to work collaboratively for a 10 ½ month service term. Members serve under the guidance and mentorship of resource professionals in collaboration with local landowners, public agencies, and private industry to assess, monitor, and enhance watersheds. WSP’s diverse Placement Sites include federal, state, county, tribal, and non-profit agencies and organizations. Each Placement Site engages one or two Members in all the service activity areas, while each site's overall strategy, emphasis, effort, and timing of service activities vary. For more specific information about each WSP Placement Site, please refer to the WSP website: https://ccc.ca.gov/what-we-do/conservation-programs/watershed-stewards-program/member-applicants/.

WSP fosters inclusion inspires innovation and encourages respect by embracing the diverse talents, perspectives, and backgrounds of all applicants. Each of us brings to the table a lifetime of experiences and knowledge. Each of us is different and adds value to the organization because of these differences. WSP seeks applicants that represent the racial, gender, cultural, and socio-economic diversity of American society.

Contact Information:
If you have any questions about WSP or how to apply, please contact WSP’s Region II Program Coordinator, Jody Weseman by emailing wsp.recruiter@ccc.ca.gov or by calling her directly at (805) 542-8461.