AmeriCorps Member for Community Science & Habitat Restoration Volunteer Management
Severson Dells Nature Center and the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County provide a wide range of public programs, two of which are our Community Science monitoring program and habitat restoration volunteer days. The member serving in this role will help train community science volunteers in the field, lead field monitoring days, enter and help analyze data and provide end of season data to staff. This position will also work with staff to organize and lead habitat restoration volunteer days at Forest Preserves around Winnebago County. This position is great for someone who is interested in getting involved in field science, community science and/or volunteer management as a career. Members will receive training in field science methods for each community science program, training on scientific equipment used in monitoring (anemometer, echometer, etc.)and training on working with volunteers with different levels of experience. One position will be at the 1,200 hour level that will receive a living allowance of $9,000 and receive a $4,441.50 education award with the successful completion of service hours. This position will be roughly 35 hours/week.
This AmeriCorps member will increase the capacity of Severson Dells Nature Center and the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County by assisting and growing current Community Science and Volunteer projects. This member will participate in wildlife monitoring projects and aid in the recruitment, orientation, training, and support of Community Scientists and Restoration Volunteers of all backgrounds. The member will also assist with Community Science data entry, analysis, and presentation. Service members will promote engagement through partnerships with local organizations for the City Nature Challenge as well. Members will receive training on local ecology, volunteer support and management, science communication, and data management.