Become a SNAP Member

We are seeking enthusiastic, conservation-minded people to commit to 11 months of service to protect Sierra Nevada natural resources and sustainable communities. During the year, SNAP members will gain skills and technical training, mentor with outstanding environmental leaders, and help to conserve some of our most treasured landscapes. SNAP AmeriCorps members are passionate and committed to the mission of the Sierra Nevada Alliance, SNAP and AmeriCorps. Member’s full-time commitment to serve at a nonprofit organization or public agency in the Sierra Nevada.

Apply at https: www.sierranevadaalliance.org/join-snap/ 

Full Term Positions start on November 1st 2025 and end on September 30th, 2026

1. Fill out the SNAP online application on our website

2. Email your resume and a 1-page cover letter stating your interest in the SNAP Member position and your best qualifications for the position/s.

3. Candidates are requested to use the following headings and labels when submitting their applications.

• Email subject line: [Full Name] SNAP AmeriCorps Application
• Cover Letter attachment: [Full Name] Cover Letter
• Resume attachment: [Full Name] Resume

Host Site Details: Western Shasta Resource Conservation District Watershed Stewardship Coordinator

Organizational Background: The mission of the WSRCD is to collaborate with willing landowners, government agencies and other organizations to facilitate the conservation and restoration of western Shasta County’s natural resources. The WSRCD currently has 19 staff and we operate as a cohesive team. District staff is made up of a diverse group of natural resource professionals that have backgrounds in forestry, botany, biology, ecology and other related fields. The District has many projects and programs including fire prevention, forest health, stream restoration, vegetation management including invasive species, pollinator and wildlife habitat and enhancement, environmental compliance, and many more. Current District Staff has decades of experience developing and implementing natural resource conservation and restoration projects as well as conducting extensive community outreach and engagement.

Redding and the surrounding area has experienced extreme wildfire recently and there is a great deal of learning opportunity about recovery and mitigating the impacts of these events as well as preparing the communities impacted for the possibility of subsequent events. The WSRCD works with many federal, state and local partners to address these issues and this allows the selected Americorps Member access to all of these partners to learn about the work that they do and network with them in order to explore potential future career opportunities.

Organizational/Program Goals:The Western Shasta RCD Community Outreach Program focuses on engaging the public and partners in furthering our mission of conserving and protecting the natural resources of western Shasta County. WSRCD is hoping to strengthen the capacity of our District to increase community collaboration, enhance technical assistance to farmers and ranchers, reduce wildfire risk and increase forest resilience, and engage students and young professionals through targeted community education and outreach throughout all District programs.

Member Service Plan Overview and Outcomes:The overarching goals of the WSRCD SNAP Member Service Plan (MSP) are to expand and enhance watershed stewardship in western Shasta County through robust and diverse community outreach. Our Americorps Member will assist the WSRCD Outreach Team to: manage and expand upon the District's volunteer programs including our CollegeCorps Volunteer Program, develop social media and website content, create and distribute a quarterly WSRCD newsletter, coordinate and participate in education and outreach events including assisting with facilitation of the WSRCD California Naturalist Course, and working with our partners to engage local citizens in watershed stewardship. Our Americorps Member will also assist with project specific engagement, including developing announcements and other resources related to the WSRCD Environmental Education Program and the Northern Sacramento Valley Coalition RFFC Regional Priority Plan (RPP).

Desired outcomes include the creation of printed and digital resources for highlighting WSRCD work and mission, specifically focused on watershed stewardship, assisting with the coordination and facilitation of at least three community engagement events promoting watershed stewardship, and providing input for the development of the 2026 WSRCD Annual Community Outreach Plan. Tasks will be implemented throughout the service year with concentrated community engagement occurring in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. These resources will help the District to increase capacity to engage a broader and more varied group of partners and stakeholders in protecting and enhancing watershed health throughout western Shasta County.

Things to Note:

The WSRCD is situated in an area that is the recreational hub of Northern California. Surrounded by mountains on three sides with the Sacramento River running right down the middle, the District boasts unparalleled access to outdoor recreation opportunities. The District Office is located between Redding and Anderson and the communities located in our District are dependent on tourism and recreation as well as natural resource related industries. Shasta County sits as the top of the Sacramento Valley, which is a rich and ecologically diverse watershed that provides water to a significant portion of California. Redding is more of a “large town” than a little city, and is the hub of Shasta County. Redding has many modern amenities that you would expect in a small city but has managed to retain its rural roots. Lake Shasta is about 20 minutes north of Redding and Whiskeytown Lake is about 20 minutes to the west--both of which provide a wealth of water and outdoor recreation opportunities. Just over the mountains to the west, you can be at the edge of the Pacific Ocean surrounded by majestic Redwood trees in under three hours. Or if you like a more urban escape--San Francisco and the greater Bay Area are about three hours to the south.

The Western Shasta RCD currently has 19 staff and will also be hosting a second-year GrizzlyCoprs Fellow and two CollegeCorps Vounteers during the SNAP 2025-2026 Service Year. District staff is made up of a diverse group of natural resource professionals who have backgrounds in forestry, botany, biology, ecology, and other related fields; We operate as a cohesive team. The District has many projects and programs, including fire prevention, forest health, stream restoration, vegetation management, including invasive species, pollinator and wildlife habitat and enhancement, environmental compliance, and many more. Current District Staff has decades of experience developing and implementing natural resource conservation and protection projects as well as conducting extensive community outreach and engagement. Redding and the surrounding area have experienced extreme wildfires recently, and there is a great deal of learning opportunity about recovery and mitigating the impacts of these events, as well as preparing the communities impacted for the possibility of subsequent events. The WSRCD works with many federal, state, and local partners to address these issues, and this allows SNAP Members access to all of these partners to learn about the work that they do and network with them in order to explore potential future career opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• Willingness to frequently serve a Monday-Saturday schedule to accommodate weekend events
• Driver’s license, proof of insurance, a reliable vehicle, and willingness to drive it (if no WSRCD fleet vehicles are available) for projects that are off-site, sometimes for long distances (mileage is reimbursed ​by Host at the federal rate).
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain, carry moderately heavy loads of 50-60 lbs, serve outdoors, perform strenuous labor with hand tools, and withstand high (over 100°) temperatures and poor air quality. Poison oak is common in many of our field sites.
• The ability to learn land navigation and GPS skills.
• Willingness to serve long days in the field on occasion (up to 10 hours) and use hand tools and motorized equipment (e.g. line trimmers) as needed
• Willingness to apply herbicide to invasive plants with training as needed
• Ability to serve independently and part of a team
• Must be reliable, able to follow directions, maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times, dress appropriately for office and field service
• Must be well organized, efficient and possess good time management skills
• Must be creative, resourceful, and possess the ability to adapt to changing circumstances quickly
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel, Gmail, and Google Calendar

Desired qualifications, but NOT required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, or other natural resource field
• Interest in community outreach and environmental education with all age groups
• Interest in learning about habitat restoration, invasive species management, native plant propagation, or similar natural resource career​s
• Experience with CANVA and other graphic design software
• Prior experience in land management, ecological restoration, field biology, agriculture, or related fields
• Basic understanding and experience with power equipment

National Service Benefits:

• Up to 30,500 living allowance for term of service, $2,773 per month.
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of hours for the enrolled term of service.
• Combined California For All Education Award (for Full Term members only) and the Segal Education Award for a total of $10,000. (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Healthcare, Dental, Vision coverage for members (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Childcare assistance if eligible (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Student Loan Deferment & Interest Forbearance if eligible.
• Member Development fund of $500 to support training, networking, and professional development opportunities that can be utilized and will be valued by future employers after the service term is completed.

National Service Qualifications:

• Must be 18+ years of age and high school graduates or GED recipients (or minimum of 17 and working toward a high school diploma or GED); members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award; meeting full list of member eligibility requirements in 45 CFR §2522.200(a)
• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident
• Must participate in a national criminal history background check pursuant to 45 CFR §2540.200-206