Volunteer Outreach Representative

The Volunteer Outreach Representative plays a crucial role in supporting and expanding the Polk County Conservation Volunteer Program. This position works directly in the field alongside PCC staff and volunteers, providing on-site guidance and support on volunteer-assigned projects and at scheduled events that connect community members with meaningful outdoor work. This role is highly field-focused, with an emphasis on being present with volunteers in natural areas, helping them succeed in their assigned projects, and strengthening community involvement in conservation. 
 

One Three-Quarter Time Volunteer Outreach Representative will serve with Polk County Conservation as part of the Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps Program. AmeriCorps members develop skills that build a strong, leadership-packed résumé, earn a living stipend ($16,620) paid out equally over the course of 1200 hours of service and receive a Segal Education Award upon completion ($5,176.50) to pay for higher education or qualified student loans. This position is a Three-Quarter Time member, who will serve a minimum of 1200 hours over 39 weeks, serving 38 hours per week. 

 
This posting is not a direct position of Polk County Conservation, and successful applicants will not be employees of Polk County. Successful applicants will not be subject to terms and conditions of Polk County employment and will not be eligible for any employee benefits provided by Polk County. However, these positions will be serving with Polk County Conservation, a host site of the Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps Program, and will be subject to AmeriCorps rules, benefits, and requirements. 

 
 
Member Schedule 

• Typical weekly schedule, i.e., a week that does not include weekend or evening programming, will run Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, totaling 38 hours per week 
• Every service day will include two 15-minute breaks, additional breaks must be taken if the temperature is above 85 degrees 
• A 30-minute lunch period is included with every service day, these 30 minutes cannot be counted towards the required service hours during the term 
• Hours during the week can be flexed to ensure the member has a sustainable workload when a special evening or weekend event is scheduled during a given service week, member will have access to event calendar a minimum of two weeks in advance of the scheduled event 
• Member will serve 1-2 Saturdays per month during their term; most Saturday events take place from 10 AM to 12 PM 
• Member is expected to show up before the start of an event to assist with setup and logistics and to stay after the end of the event to assist with cleanup and inventory of supplies 
• Evenings and weekends are built into the schedule with a minimum of two weeks' notice prior to a member being assigned 
• Listed below are key annual events that occur during the spring and summer: 
  • May | Spring Into Action | Woodland Restoration 
  • June | National Trails Day | Trail Construction  
  • April, May, June | Tree Planting at identified priority woodland  

* Members must not serve any hours on the major federal holidays – New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  This includes checking emails, self-directed training, or teleservice.  If the Host Site is open on one of these holidays and members are expected to serve, the site supervisor should work with Program to gain approval for this member service prior to the holiday.  For any of the other federal holidays, including MLK Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and Veterans Day, Host Sites will communicate expectations of member service in advance.  If the Host Site is closed on one of more of those lesser holidays (including the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas eve) or the Host Site recognizes other workdays when major federal holidays fall on weekend days, members should not check their email, complete timesheets, or do teleservice on those days either unless they follow the procedure above. Sick or personal leave, and holidays is allowed, but such time off does not count towards the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.   

Members will receive the following training and certifications before service activities begin:  

• Members will complete CPR/AED and first aid certification through Heart Saver online modules and an in-person practical skills test  
• Members will participate in a week-long chainsaw handling and maintenance training and pass a in-person practical skills test with full-time Polk County Conservation natural resources staff members 
• Iowa Pesticide Applicator Certification in Categories 4 (Core), 2 (Forestry) and 6 (Right of Way)  
  • Members must read each designated booklet in order to register for each corresponding category test 
  • Testing occurs online and utilizes LockDown Browser application that records video of the tester during the timed tests, personal laptops may be utilized for testing or computers will be available for members to use 
  • Members must receive an 80% or better to receive category certifications 
  • Members receive their Iowa Pesticide Applicator’s License once all three category tests are successfully passed 
• National Wildland Coordinating Group Certifications:  
  • S-130 – Firefighter Training  
  • S-190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior  
• They may also have the opportunity to receive additional certifications in: 
  • L-180 – Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service  
  • IS-700 – NIMS (National Incident Management System): An Introduction  

All Environmental Resource members in the Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps Program are required to complete CPR/AED and first aid online modules, Iowa Pesticide Applicator tests in Category 4, 2, and 6, and the National Wildland Coordinating Group online modules of S-130 and S-190 within three weeks subsequent of their official start date. Failure to complete these trainings and certifications in a timely manner will result in a member not receiving integral certifications utilized by the Program. Missing or skipping trainings and certifications could impact the ability of a member to remain enrolled within the Program. 

The Volunteer Outreach Representative will receive the following additional training: 

• Communicating and presenting environmental information to the community and partners using flyers and geographical aspects while out in the field 
• Shadowing Volunteer Coordinators during public events to learn expectations, volunteer event rules, priorities during events, event preparation, and event cleanup 
• Learning how to educate a wide age range of volunteers assisting with conservation projects through shadowing and in-field practice during volunteer events 
• Identification characteristics of common garden weeds to facilitate garden bed maintenance projects 
• Public speaking fundamentals with Volunteer Coordinators 
• Volunteer recruitment practices using flyers, in-person community outreach, social media, and email outreach 
• Basic background and history of key Polk County Conservation parks and land parcels where volunteer events occur during volunteer events 
   

Below is a list of allowable member activities and responsibilities; members will be properly trained in all areas: 

Essential Functions: 

• Develop and implement practices for recruiting new volunteers for Polk County Conservation as well as retaining current volunteer pool 
  • Creation of email campaigns for online outreach 
  • Development of social media posts and videos promoting conservation projects to increase engagement from younger volunteer demographic 
  • Represent Polk County Conservation’s Volunteer Program through in-person outreach activities, such as communicating with community members while out in the field and outreach booths with partner organizations 
• Schedule and coordinate volunteer activities by assigning registered attendants to appropriate tasks based on age, skillset, and interests 
• Communicate effectively with volunteers regarding project details, expectations, proper tool use, and logistical information 
• Facilitate volunteer groups during events to ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently 
  • Provide assistance with preparation by collecting tools, PPE supplies, preparing mulch buckets for tree planting events, providing demonstrations of how the task should be completed, provide additional in-field support to volunteers assisting with the natural resources project, and participate in the volunteer event when not assisting with the previously listed tasks
  • Train volunteers on specific tasks and techniques relevant to project assignments 
• Proper tool usage, such as shovels, trowels, dandelion weeders, loppers, handsaws, folding saws, and pruners 
• Create marketing materials and social media communications to promote volunteer opportunities and Polk County Conservation initiatives 

Non-Essential Functions:   

• Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills related to natural resource management 
• Train with full-time staff to learn about the maintenance and care for tools, equipment, vehicles, the Natural Resources Headquarters workshop, and the hangars located on the Leh’s property 
• Participate in water quality monitoring across Polk County  
  • Receive training on water quality testing procedures from Polk County Conservation Water Quality Program Coordinators  
  • Provide integral water quality data to allow broad analysis of the water quality in Polk County, Iowa to identify if intervention   

Members may engage in other allowable activities that are not specifically outlined in the position description that support the AmeriCorps program design and will help the Program meet its goals. Under no circumstances will members be asked to perform prohibited activities. 

Desired Skills/Qualifications: 

• Passion for community engagement 
• Strong communication skills and outgoing 
• Experience with volunteer coordination, event planning or community outreach preferred 
• In progress or completed degree in environmental science, event management, hospitality, or related fields 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Certify that they have or will obtain their diploma/GED  
• Be 17 years of age or older  
• Pass a national service criminal history check prior to first day of service 
• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident 
• Possess a valid driver’s license and previous driving experience: 
  • Candidate must be comfortable with driving on all road types (gravel, grass, highways, rural, and city roads) 
  • Candidate must be comfortable driving in any environmental conditions (daytime, nighttime, rain, fog, sleet, ice, and snow) 
  • Candidate must be willing to drive to any location within Polk County, Iowa 
  • Candidate must pass a motor vehicle record check before they can operate any county vehicle 
  • Candidates with limited driving experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis 
  • Comfortable learning how to operate various hand tools, county equipment and vehicles, and trailering   

Benefits: 

• Segal Education Award received upon successful completion of their term of service  
• Living Allowance   
• Professional development seminars and opportunity to network with Polk County staff  
• Childcare coverage if the member qualifies   
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible loans   
• Housing opportunities provided by Polk County Conservation upon request  
• Certification in first aid and CPR/AED   
• Iowa Pesticide applicator’s license  
• Prescribed fire certifications and experience with prescribed fires 
• Increase knowledge of Polk County’s conservation and restoration practices 
• Increase knowledge of Iowa’s native and invasive flora and fauna  
• Network with Polk County employees and with community partners and members 

Performance Evaluation & Reporting Requirements: 

• Member Performance Evaluation requirements during the term   
• Regular bi-weekly submission of member timesheets  
• Regular weekly submission of project data from each site a member works on   
• Daily progress reports to Polk County Conservation staff