Purpose of Position
Perform the duties required to achieve goals for the AmeriCorps program including the management and development of 15 AmeriCorps Rangers which includes the incorporation of professional behavior, adherence to high program standards, and career development planning and activities.
Ranger Project Role and Responsibilities
- Responsibility to plan Ranger orientation (coupled sometimes with Settlement House Members) during the beginning of the year and training periodically
- Plan and create a written schedule for routine Trail maintenance (such as sweeping glass off of McKinley Bridge, maintaining Humboldt Rest Site, maintaining and clearing weeds around boulders and bollard installations, documenting and reporting graffiti or vandalism of floodwalls, maintaining
- Riverview Park, maintaining Riverfront Park, maintaining Trail across from Riverfront Park, etc.)
- Closely supervise Ranger activities on the service site; make corrections to activities (such as non-engagement, lack of focus, or lack of effort) daily and consistently; strong positive actions by Rangers will be noted and verbalized to Rangers; re-occurring issues and exemplary acts of service will be documented for Ranger files
- Gather activity data within monthly reports; also be responsible for Ranger completion of timesheets and enter Ranger service hours, enrolments, exits, and other information into the web based reporting system, OnCorps.
- Record in kind and volunteer contributions, oversee completion of surveys, provide weekly reports of activities as required, contribute written articles and photographs for publication, maintain volunteer contact list.
- Assured AmeriCorps Program files, reports, statistical information and gathering are current and filed appropriately.
- Keep in close proximity of Rangers and have Rangers keep in close proximity of Supervisor during public gatherings, field trips, workshops, and other public venues; Supervisor will know whereabouts of Rangers at all times
- Rangers must have AmeriCorps identification on daily and be held accountable by the Supervisor; Rangers must adhere to dress standards which do not include sagged pants and must be sent away from the program if not adhering to dress standards
- Develop a protocol with Rangers that they know they are to sit or stand toward the front of any event, workshop, conference or other assembly, as opposed to hanging back to the rear
- Responsible for developing and teaching Rangers to memorize a 2 minute ‘elevator’ speech on who they are, what they do, the impact they are making, and where they are going after AmeriCorps
- Creating a culture of high expectations for behavior within the program that includes written policies on appearance, communication in public, attendance, tardiness, respecting peers etc and enforcing the expectations consistently
- Document and address any absences with the Member, discuss concerns with absences, and document responses for each absence
- Mentoring and coaching AmeriCorps members through a process a career and academic exploration and guiding them through a process of setting and achieving personal goals; responsible for professional development including individual career plans, shadowing with professionals, field experiences related to professional development, internships, and employer site visits; scheduling college tours and presentations
- Responsible for continuous training during the year including recruiting and coordinating presenters
- Initiate involvement of riverside community groups and schools and residents with activities on the Riverfront Trail and Confluence Greenway
- Facilitate groups and schools and persons from the metro-area who come to the Trail for activities
- Include riverside neighbors at every opportunity to be involved with program activities
- Solicit, prepare and facilitate activities related to community, ecology, recreation and education on the Trail
- Promote tours of the Trail to neighbors, groups, schools, donors, agencies, etc
- Establish and conduct training using the Grace Hill Neighborhood College system and courses
- Assist in the development of the Trail Ranger Project as well as recruitment, coordination, and supervision of Rangers
- Involve partners from the Riverfront Trail Advisory Committee, Confluence Greenway, and agency boards connected to the Riverfront Trail and Greenway
- Utilize services within and build upon existing Grace Hill neighborhood networks and program structures
- Collaborate with external organizations and community leaders such as Aldermen and other elected officials and neighborhood leaders
Other Project Role and Responsibilities
- Provide reports and follow-up on decisions made for boards, funders, and meeting groups
- Learn and support AmeriCorps program ethic and take lead in carrying out AmeriCorps activities and functions
- Assist with organization and supervision of annual events and other events scheduled with the Trail/Greenway
- Members should be the first to volunteer/ participate in activities
- Perform other duties as assigned
Skills and Abilities
Which may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:
- Ability to learn quickly and with desire, issues related to the environment; not afraid to endure uncomfortable weather situations, insects, getting dirty, etc.
- Ability to employ program management, supervise, instruct, and relate with youth and persons in general on life issues, counsel, motivate, and demonstrating caring
- Ability to use equipment, organize tasks, prioritize and organize events
Education Requirements
- BA preferred, requires High School Diploma or GED and 2 years specialized training in horticulture or related field
Experience
- Requires 3 years experience with youth programs
- One (1) year environmental experience preferred
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Services Provided On A Non-Discriminatory Basis
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