Environmental Communications AmeriCorps Fellow
Position Details
Stewards Individual Placements (SIP) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. SIP in partnership with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) seeks one year-long Environmental Communications AmeriCorps member to play an essential role in expanding and improving the communications and outreach efforts by OSMRE.
Recently marking its 45th anniversary, OSMRE continues to ensure the cleanup of millions of acres of pre-Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) abandoned mine lands and the return of post-SMCRA mined lands to productive use by collaborating with State and Tribal partners, community organizations, and the industry. The Environmental Communications AmeriCorps member will be contributing to these efforts by focusing on developing audio, visual, and written products that will be used to inform the public about OSMRE’s environmental involvement. These products will be informative, educational, and technical in nature, developed in a way to be understood by different target audiences. The AmeriCorps member will have some flexibility in the type of final products and deliverables provided but can expect to create at least one of each of the following: a podcast, an infographic campaign, marketing material, an educational brochure, a fact sheet and hot topics, and a video journalism styled report.
The Environmental Communications AmeriCorps member will be fulfilling an unmet need at OSMRE in that currently, much of what OSMRE does is not overly publicized. The information that the AmeriCorps collects and materials they develop will directly begin to, if not fully, implement a public outreach campaign that informs the public of abandoned mine land safety and environmental sciences used at OSMRE. Additionally, the member will expand and improve upon the ways OSMRE engages with communities and organizations that support restoration of coalfield communities. These efforts will be instrumental to present and future employees at OSMRE, as well as providing the AmeriCorps member with a strong foundation in the real-world communications and outreach experience with an emphasis on the environment.
Position Responsibilities will include:
- Engaging with OSMRE departments and divisions to develop professional infographics
- Creating professional and public-facing educational and informational products
- Analyzing OSMRE’s communication and outreach strategy to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
- Developing podcast topics and completing interviews to inform the public of environmental policy, actions, and opportunities by OSMRE
- Developing content that provides an inside look at the environmental science performed by OSMRE employees and its State and Tribal partners
- Reviewing, analyzing, and recommending current topics and news stories to be packaged for distribution to the public and OSMRE employees
- Creating additional OSMRE and environmental communications products for internal and external audiences
Preferred Qualifications:
- Background in Environmental Policy and Administration, Journalism, Graphic Arts, Audio/Visual Design, Marketing and Communications
- Team-oriented and willingness to learn
- All interested candidates are encouraged to apply!
Benefits:
- Living Allowance: $465/week at 40hrs/week (pre-tax)
- Successful completion of this term will award the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of $6,345.00
- Place Federal student loans on Forbearance during time in service
- Interest accrual payoff by AmeriCorps
- Professional Development can include: attending conferences, participating in site visits, performing job shadows, and completing training opportunities
How to Apply
In addition to your resume, please submit a statement of interest (no more than 250 words) or one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Please do not include your social security number, date of birth, or physical address on any documents submitted with your application, including your resume.
Stewards Individual Placements Program does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
Required Experience
In order to ensure the health and safety of the communities that Conservation Legacy serves, as well as to meet federal requirements for government contractors, all participants and staff of Conservation Legacy programs must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before beginning their service term. This requirement applies to all staff and participants regardless of location, position, or remote work status.