Overview
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connect more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve with more than 2,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations.
“Serving as an AmeriCorps member with the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships, has raised my confidence, provided me with numerous tools and resources for being a better environmental educator, and shown me that working on projects that better your community is not only rewarding, but necessary for bringing about positive change.” - Nicole Deas, 2007 Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) Member
SNAP Program Summary
This is the second year of the AmeriCorps program in the Sierra Nevada region. The Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) mission is to develop the capacity of community-based organizations to play a leading role in the protection, restoration and stewardship of public lands, local waterways and working landscapes of the Sierra Nevada region. Members serve with community non-profit groups and natural resource agencies to conduct local habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, watershed education and volunteer recruitment in the Sierra Nevada to implement the program’s mission.
In 2007 & 2008, the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) program has selected and placed twenty-seven AmeriCorps in each year with 19 different organizations and agencies.
In 2009, the SNAP members will serve in the Sierra Nevada to:
Implement habitat restoration projects on 2000 acres of high priority lands and rivers;Conduct ecological monitoring at over 270 sites, measuring indicators for water quality, meadow regeneration, and establishment of native vegetation and wildlife;Educate over 17,900 individuals to broaden public awareness of ecological restoration and to provide an avenue for people to get involved; andEngage over 2700 volunteers contributing over 22,000 hours towards projects which protect and restore natural resources.The program is directed and administered by the Sierra Nevada Alliance. There are 18 partners in SNAP that will mentor AmeriCorps members throughout the 400-mile region. The SNAP partner organizations include:
American Rivers (Nevada City) Eastern Sierra Land Trust (Bishop) El Dorado Irrigation District (Placerville) Friends of Deer Creek (Nevada City) Friends of the Inyo (Bishop) Placer Land Trust (Auburn) Planning & Conservation League Foundation (Sacramento) Shasta Land Trust (Redding) Sierra Business Council (Truckee) Sierra Nevada Alliance (South Lake Tahoe) Sierra Foothill Conservancy (Mariposa) Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (Truckee) SYRCL: South Yuba River Citizens League (Nevada City) Tahoe Baikal Institute (South Lake Tahoe) UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (Incline Village) Tahoe Resource Conservation District (South Lake Tahoe) WildPlaces (Springville) Wolf Creek Community Alliance (Grass Valley) Do you love the Sierra?
Want to help restore and protect the Range of Light?
How to Apply for the 2009 SNAP Program:
The 2009 Application Packet will be available in August 2008. To see the application packet, see bottom of this page for the 2009 SNAP Application Packet and Position Descriptions.
For the 2009 program, we will be accepting applications from August through October 15, 2008. In order to be eligible for the first round of interviews, please apply by October 15, 2008.
To apply, send a one page cover letter summarizing your interest in the program and position and your best qualifications, attach your resume, and the Eligibility Criteria Checklist at the bottom of this page.
Email the cover letter, resume, and eligibility checklist to morgan@sierranevadaalliance.org
We are seeking enthusiastic conservation minded people to devote a year to serve for the protection of Sierra natural resources and sustainable communities. For this year of service Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership members will receive skills and technical training, mentor with outstanding environmental leaders and get an education award at the end of your service.
Applicant Requirements:
Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.Must have a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED (higher education degrees are highly recommended).Must be a minimum of 18 years or older.Necessary Skills and Qualifications
Ability to work with local community members, conservation groups and agencies. Experience organizing events Skills facilitating and/or participating in group meetings Ability to lay out work tasks, identify resources, focus work and complete tasks on time Strong writing skills Public speaking and outreach skills Independent, highly motivated, and ability to meet deadlines with limited supervision Passion for the natural environment Proficiency using personal computers and internet Ability to travel in the Sierra Physical ability to perform strenuous activities at high elevationsCompensation and Benefits
AmeriCorps Members will receive over 200 hours of technical, ecological and skills-development training throughout the year.
AmeriCorps Members will receive a monthly stipend of $1200 and standard health insurance.
AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 will be granted upon completion of the program for use on existing qualified student loans or future higher education expenses.
All submissions are confidential. People of color are encouraged to apply.
The Sierra Nevada Alliance and AmeriCorps are equal opportunity employers.
Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP)
CaliforniaVolunteers approved funding for three years for SNAP in October 2006. The Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) mission is to develop the capacity of community-based organizations to play a leading role in the protection, restoration and stewardship of public lands, local waterways and working landscapes of the Sierra Nevada region.
Under the guidance of the staff of Sierra Nevada Alliance member groups and allied partners, AmeriCorps members perform service on watershed restoration and conservation projects. Members specific duties reflect the community, placement-site and individual member group needs, as well as a member's abilities and interests. No two service sites are quite alike.
SNAP Contact Information:
Morgan Fessler, SNAP Regional Coordinator
PO Box 7989, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158
Tel: 530.542.4546, ext. 312
Fax: 530.542.4570
Email: morgan@sierranevadaalliance.org
Programs - Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership
