Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Colorado Canyons Association in Grand Junction, CO. Colorado Canyons Association is a "friends group" of the three National Conservation Areas (NCAs) in Western Colorado. We work in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and other collaborative initiatives to increase stewardship, education, and outreach efforts in the communities across the western slope. 

Service Position Summary: Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) connects thousands of students and families to their public lands through outdoor education programs, river trips, community hikes and events, and stewardship projects each year. The member will support the educational program through helping lead these field trips, design and improve curricula, and implement evaluation procedures across land and river trips.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities): eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and CCA’s goals. These duties include:

• Support the planning and delivery of in-person education events such as:
  • Nature Knowledge Days: 3rd grade multi-day event
  • Watershed education field trips, in-school programs, and community events
• During the summer months, serve as lead educator and evaluator on river trips
• Maintain CCA’s file cabinet of educational resources and activities for land and river program use
• Build and maintain lasting community partnerships
• Explore possibilities for service-learning projects for K-12 students
• Update program participant surveys and incorporate feedback into planning 
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

•  Create and maintain program materials
• Network with BLM and other partner organizations for additional development opportunities
• Gather content from programs to share with the CCA network
• Attend CCA staff meetings, trainings, professional development, and special events

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands: 

• Ability to serve in outdoor settings in various weather conditions.
• Able to carry/lift 30 pounds
• Commitment to equity in education
• Interested and motivated to develop skills in environmental education including program design and delivery, leadership, group management, etc.
• Willing and able to drive to program sites in tri-county region
• Must be willing to work flexible work hours, including some weekend and evening hours

Qualifications:

• Educational or experiential background in environmental science, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archaeology, or other relevant fields
• Spanish speaker highly desirable
• Prior experience working with youth, especially in an educational context (1 year preferred)
• Responsible, reliable, and organized; able to work efficiently and effectively without close supervision
• CPR/First Aid certified or willing to obtain by start date
• Reliable transportation and clean driving record required
• Residents of rural communities in Colorado are encouraged to apply
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• High school diploma or GED required
• At least 18 years old at start of service
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required
• Must pass National Service Criminal History Checks (NSOPW, State, and FBI)
• U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident status required 

Term of Service: This is a half-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 900 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week). Typical schedule varies seasonally. Feb-Mar is primarily office based, M-F, 8am-5pm. Apr-Aug is field-based with a combination of land-based field trips and river trips, requiring occasional evening, weekend, or overnight commitments. Hours may be flexed elsewhere in the week to offset long or overnight events. The position begins 2/16/27 and ends 8/15/27.

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Kristen Kollus (kristen@canyonsassociation.org), CCA Program Coordinator as well as by Erin Dreps (americorps@caee.org), eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2026-27 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at CCA, 543 Main St #4 in Grand Junction and service will be performed in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties both in the National Conservation Areas and the surrounding communities.

Benefits:

• Biweekly (two times per month) living allowance of $916.67. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
• $600/month housing stipend
• $10/month phone stipend
• $500 certification credit
• Access to pro deals and other gear discounts
• Hybrid work schedule
• $100/month wellness stipend
• An education award of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of term of service. 
• It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Loan forbearance for eligible student loans.
• Mileage reimbursement for eeCorps-required travel.
• Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need.
• Ability to participate in regional EE leadership councils; option to obtain CAEE’s nationally-recognized Professional Environmental Educator Certification.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed for applications, interviews, and service.