|
2008-2009
POSITION DESCRIPTION
We
all want to make a difference. But too many jobs require us
to leave our conscience at home. If you want to put your ideals
front and center when you leave college, consider a term of
service with NJ Community Water Watch, a project of New Jersey
Public Interest Research Group and AmeriCorps.
 NJ Community
Water Watch is a statewide environmental program working with 13 college campuses
to solve urban water pollution problems by organizing hands-on education and
service projects in the surrounding communities. By organizing the resources
of college campuses, we are tackling local problems and creating measurable
and visible results.
Program
Our waterways - rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans - are a key element in our
ecological infrastructure, providing food, drinking water, agricultural and
recreational uses. Our waterways will carry out their important, life supporting
functions only if we clean up and protect them from harmful activities. Today,
in New Jersey, over 80% of our lakes and streams are degraded so significantly
that they are considered too polluted for fishing or swimming. Water quality
is an important issue for every community and ranks as one of the public's greatest
concerns.
New Jersey
Community Water Watch, a project of NJPIRG Law & Policy Center and AmeriCorps
was started ten years ago to address real environmental problems facing communities
and get meaningful results. The program works with college students and community
members to achieve the following goals through its cutting edge approach to
waterway restoration:
-
To
improve local water quality and clean up waterways through
community organizing in urban areas across the state;
-
To
strengthen urban communities by uniting a diverse group
of people around the common goals of revitalizing waters
and improving public health;
-
To
instill in community members and volunteers an appreciation
of the natural environment and a sense of civic responsibility;
and
-
To
train community members and volunteers in the fundamentals
of environmental and community organizing.
Campus
Organizing
More than any other segment of society, students have the
time, the energy, the resources and the idealism to make a
difference on environmental problems. As a Campus Organizer
you lead clean water programs, educate and empower college
students, train new leaders, and make a difference locally
in cleaning up New Jersey's waterways.
 In
one semester a NJ Community Water Watch Organizer will recruit
interns and volunteers to work on service projects, meet with
local and state officials to attend community clean-ups and
events, organize the media to write about problems of a local
waterway, teach elementary school children about water quality
issues and survey miles of local streams and rivers. Campus
organizers work with faculty and up to 100 student volunteers,
while they oversee a course credit internship program where
students learn vital citizenship skills.
Training
A key part of the NJ Community Water Watch mission is to train
leaders who are capable of designing, fighting and winning
local projects to defend the environment.
Training begins
with an orientation that includes briefings on local water quality issues and
workshops on organizing skills. Throughout the year, organizers participate
in other training events, including an intensive, week-long paid training by
the State PIRGs, regional conferences and a national training in Denver, Colorado.
Qualifications
We are looking for motivated individuals who are willing to
commit themselves to getting results. We look for experience
with campus groups or student government, academic achievement,
social change commitment, and strong verbal, writing and leadership
skills.
Benefits
Graduates
commit to a 9-month term of service with AmeriCorps and complete a minimum of 1700 hours of service. Members
receive a stipend of $11,400 during that time, and loan forbearance for qualifying student
loans. Upon completion of the program, receive an education award of
$4,725 that can be used to pay off student loans or for future education at most
colleges and universities for up to seven years. Members also receive health
coverage and 2 weeks vacation during their term.
Equal
Opportunity
NJ
Community Water Watch is an equal opportunity employer. Selection
decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, national
origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability
or marital status.
Locations
NJ Community Water Watch has sites in Teaneck/Hackensack, Paterson, Newark,
New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, Camden, Freehold, Toms River and Atlantic
City. Summer Positions
We also offer part-time summer positions. Learn how to organize local water
quality events in your own community this summer! Summer AmeriCorps members
earn a $1,700 stipend, and a $1,000 education award for school.
To
Apply
Email a cover letter and resume to Liz Glynn, NJ Community Water Watch Program Director: send email to liz at njwaterwatch.org.
Questions
Please contact Liz Glynn, NJ Community Water Watch Program
Director, with any questions: send an email to liz at njwaterwatch.org
or call (732) 249-4108.
|
