AmeriCorps 2025-2026 Position Description
Accepting Applications
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until July 21st or until otherwise filled. Please email Paige Orals at orals@swwtwater.org with your application materials (a cover letter and resume). Use the subject line “AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator 2025 Application [YOUR NAME]”.
Placement Description
Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc. (Sweet Water) develops and delivers programs that help limit the amount of stormwater pollution that the Greater Milwaukee area contributes to regional lakes and rivers. The AmeriCorps member would be involved in the planning and implementation of the programs, described below.
Respect Our Waters
The Respect Our Waters program educates the public about ways to prevent stormwater pollution. Our Respect Our Waters multi-media campaign shares educational content on TV, social media, through print materials, and a website to raise awareness about water quality issues that the region experiences. In the warmer seasons, staff also attend local community events to talk to the public about these issues and potential solutions on a regular basis.
Adopt Your Drain
The Adopt Your Drain program is becoming one of the easiest ways for people throughout Southeastern Wisconsin to protect local waterways practically without leaving their front yard. This effort encourages volunteers to prevent flooding and stormwater pollution by clearing storm drains of debris before and after rainfall. Volunteers can register their “adopted” drain online so that it appears on an interactive map.
SE Wisconsin Big Plant
Southeastern Wisconsin Big Plant is a tree gifting program for residents of the Milwaukee River Basin that aims to transform the region into a greener, healthier community by planting trees that enhance stormwater management. Trees are given out at community events and the program is promoted through social media outreach and a website.
Monitoring
The monitoring program inspects municipal owned and privately owned stormwater infrastructure, such as but not limited to major outfalls, retention basins, and rain gardens. Inspections include visual observations, structural measurements, and pollutant testing. Data is collected via paper maps and proprietary systems on behalf of municipalities and/or contracted engineering firms.
Position Description
Specific tasks may include:
- Developing an understanding of state & federal regulatory requirements surrounding stormwater pollution prevention & ensuring that programs adhere to applicable regulations
- Researching & communicating ways that the public can improve water quality through the development of educational web pages, pamphlets, social media posts, & other resources
- Organizing and attending multiple community events hosted by Sweet Water or other partners primarily on weekends in the summer months
- Recruiting & managing Adopt Your Drain volunteers
- Designing graphics to share stormwater messages using Piktochart or other design software
- Designing new interactive displays for science communication
- Engaging in TV and radio interviews to promote our work
- Developing a comprehensive social media outreach strategy for the Respect Our Waters, Adopt Your Drain, and Big Plant programs
- Developing reports and monthly newsletters for the aforementioned programs
- Assisting in the review of annual stormwater reports
- Increasing capacity at Sweet Water according to the organization’s needs and the AmeriCorps member’s skills and abilities
- Assisting with the preparation and execution of Sweet Water’s annual Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference
- Assisting with outreach related tasks for grant funded projects
Necessary Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Flexibility to work on weekends when needed, primarily May-October
- Graphic design experience or a willingness to learn to use graphic design programs to create educational content
- Ability to traverse across uneven terrain, ability to lift at least 30 lbs
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation upon request
- Must be able to attend mandatory AmeriCorps orientation on September 8th-12th, 2025 and midterm training in Spring 2026 (exact dates TBD)
- Working knowledge of challenges facing regional waterways, or willingness to learn quickly
- Strong attention to detail and work ethic
- Friendly, approachable demeanor and interpersonal and public speaking skills
- Passion for engaging local communities to address environmental issues
- Ability to work independently and prioritize work
- Passion for using creative problem solving skills to address complex issues
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working at community outreach or volunteer events and/or canvassing
- Social media and/or marketing skills
- Some experience with data collection mechanisms
- Some experience with water quality testing, or a willingness to learn
- Some experience with field work, or a willingness to learn
Additional Information:
- This is a full-time AmeriCorps position. Members must commit to a year of service. Members must complete 1700 hours of service, averaging 35-40 hours per week from September 8th, 2025 – August 28th, 2026
- AmeriCorps Members receive a bi-weekly living allowance (gross pay of $857.69) and a $7,395 educational award for tuition or student loan payback upon completing service
- Eligible to receive a basic health, dental and vision insurance plan (premium paid by AmeriCorps program), which covers only the member; it is not available to other family members
- Low- to no-cost child care assistance
Working Conditions
Currently, we are working approximately 75% of the time from our office and 25% of the time remotely. This is subject to change.
When it comes to field work, the intern should expect to traverse some rugged terrain while carrying a field kit in order to access outfalls for inspections. The intern should also have access to a car or other form of transportation in order to travel to, from, and between field inspections and community events.
Accepting Applications
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until July 21st or until otherwise filled. Please email Paige Orals at orals@swwtwater.org within your application materials (a cover letter and resume). Use the subject line “AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator 2025 Application [YOUR NAME]”.
