2025-2026 Vermont Rural Learning Collective (VRLC)

Environmental Educator and Outdoor Recreation Instructor 

Position Information

The Environmental Educator and Outdoor Recreation Instructor is a full time AmeriCorps position requiring a minimum of 1700 hours. The position begins September 1, 2025 and ends August 30, 2026.

Program Overview

This position is part of the Vermont Rural Learning Collective (VRLC). VRLC is a national service program that places AmeriCorps members at educational non-profit Host Sites in Vermont’s most rural communities. VRLC members support their Host Site’s ability to deliver educational programming and services to rural and underserved learners of all ages by creating and facilitating educational programs on a variety of topics, recruiting and engaging volunteers, assisting with Host Site advertising and marketing, and more. VRLC members will also contribute to their Host Site’s conservation efforts and food security efforts through tasks such as trail maintenance, maintaining community gardens, harvesting crops, and coordinating food drop-offs. VRLC is a learn-by-doing program that supports members in their path to educational and career attainment through personalized direct service experiences and ongoing training, networking, and professional development opportunities offered throughout the service year.

Host Site

This position is based at the NorthWoods Stewardship Center at 154 Leadership Drive, East Charleston and will involve service at other locations. The member will be supervised and supported by Andrew Cappello, Education Director, andy@northwoodscenter.org (802)723-4622.

Essential Functions 

The Environmental Education and Outdoor Recreation Instructor will:

• Assist Education staff as they develop and implement programming on environmental education and outdoor recreation with local schools during and after school hours;
• Promote and facilitate summer camp programs and adult outreach programs that focus on environmental education and outdoor recreation;
• Cross-country ski, snowshoe, canoe, lead team building activities, ropes course facilitation, natural science and wildlife education, hiking, swim, explore outdoors, practice survival skills, and crafts;
• May also include stewardship projects, including tree planting and habitat restoration; 
• Will also include some service in the education office to support the member’s educational programming activities;
• Assist in the care of wildlife ambassador animals including Oberon, a barred owl.
• Will participate in a professional and hands-on service to northern communities through environmental education, community outreach and conservation service.
• AmeriCorps member will engage local youth and communities to provide career and conservation skill training to seasonal NorthWoods Conservation Corps members and leaders (these are not AmeriCorps members)
• Cooperate with local and regional partners to identify and complete priority conservation and community service projects; and increase capacity for education, recreation and service opportunities at NorthWoods
• Submit bi-weekly timesheets
• Complete all enrollment and exit requirements

Secondary Functions

• Participate in disaster response and recovery activities. AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or requested by SerVermont to assist in disaster reponse and recovery activities. This may involve virtual or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of standard service hours or in place of standard service duties. Disaster resonse activities must be approved and reported to SerVermont by the program.
• Assist with cleaning, organizing, and preparing materials for programming;
• Prepare and serve meals as part of programming activities;
• Fish, hunt, or trap;
• Mountain biking; 
• Disaster Recovery and Relief Service Activities as needed, including mucking out basements, general debris cleanup, supply distribution, providing childcare to volunteers, etc. 
• Demonstrate maturity, motivation and commitment to the local environment.
• Ability to serve under physically challenging conditions
• Must be able to hike 5 miles with a loaded pack and lift heavy loads.

Orientation and Training

• Attend SerVermont training, conferences, and events.
• Attend VRLC orientation, training, and member events. A training calendar will be provided at orientation and is subject to change.
• Attend Host Site orientation, training, and events.
• Complete Mandated Reporter and On3Learn trainings required by SerVermont.
• No more than 20% of aggregate hours can be training hours
• No more than 10% of the originally agreed-upon term of service can be fundraising activities.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Complete an end of term evaluation.
• Complete a mid-term evaluation.
• Complete quarterly data reports.

Time Requirements

General service schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. On rare occasions nights and weekend service projects may be required. After School Programs can sometimes keep instructors in service into early evening hours.

 Required events:

• VRLC and Host Site Orientation(s) – prior to or on first day of service
• MLK Day of Service and any trainings on that day – January 19, 2026
• Life After AmeriCorps Extravaganza – Date TBD

Benefits

• A living allowance of $25,500
• An education award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of term of service
• Healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (must meet qualifications)
• $300 for Professional development
• Loan forbearance for federally backed student loans, if qualified
• Training, networking, and professional development opportunities through Host Site, VRLC, and SerVermont
• Mileage reimbursement for service-related travel
• Free or reduced priced housing through Host Site, VRLC at Vermont State University – Lyndon Campus, or SerVermont at Glover-Hadlery Hall in Montpelier, VT
• Free access to Member Assistance Program
• Worker’s Compensation for service-related injuries
• A $300 gear stipend
• 1 hour/week of winter wellness time

Qualifications

AmeriCorps Qualifications (45 CFR §2522.200(a))

• Eligibility. An AmeriCorps participant must–
  • Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; or
  • Be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating ina program described in §2522.110(b)(3) or (g);
  •  Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
  • Not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award; or
  • Obtain a waiver from AmeriCorps of the requirements in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section based on an independent evaluation secured by the program demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
  • Be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis and be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C 1091);
  • Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States;
  • Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540.202.

Additional Qualifications

• • Pass Vermont AHS Child Protection and Adult Abuse Registry Checks
  • Commit to VRLC and its ethic of personal and professional development
  • Assist with cleaning, organizing, and preparing materials for programming;
  • Prepare and serve meals as part of programming activities;
  • Demonstrate maturity, motivation and commitment to the local environment.
  • Ability to serve under physically challenging conditions
  • Must be able to hike 5 miles with a loaded pack and lift heavy loads.
  • Have a positive attitude, high energy, exhibit patience and flexibility;
  • Have excellent communication and leadership skills;
  • Have a commitment to serving with youth in the outdoors
  • Have experience with group management
  • Outdoor skills like cross-country skiing, hiking, paddling, and back country travel are preferred
  • Possess a strong sense of stewardship of the natural environment
  • Must adhere to LEAP and NorthWoods policies and procedures for safety, professionalism and community relations.
  • Have a valid driver’s license.

This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NorthWoods:

People of every race, color, gender, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, belief system and background are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation will be made for applicants with disabilities.  NorthWoods believes that diversity in our workplace is essential to building vibrant human and natural communities and strives to provide opportunities for everyone without discrimination.

About NorthWoods

NorthWoods Stewardship Center is a non-profit conservation and education organization based in East Charleston, Vermont.  We serve the communities of Northern Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as facilitating conservation projects and programs throughout New England.  Our main lodge and facilities are part of a 1,500 acre conserved campus and demonstration forest, open to the public, year-round. We achieve our mission to connect people and place through the synergy of four program areas:  Environmental Education, the Conservation Corps, Conservation Science, and Forest Stewardship. Learn more about us.