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Industry: Hospitality, Human Services & Education

Type of Job: Hospitality, Human Services & Education

Type: Internship

Location: In-Person in Durango

Age Requirement: 18 and Up

$ Paid

Starts: Sep. 1, 2026

Ends: May. 31, 2027

Enrollment End Date: Aug. 15, 2026

Hours Per Week: 35

Description

Program Overview:  Team Up AmeriCorps places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Southwest Colorado.  While these members serve as part of a regional cohort and participate in regional cohort trainings and activities,  they spend the majority of their term serving directly at a specific host site organization.  Through collaborative service,  Team Up AmeriCorps members develop their own professional skills and passions,  expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations,  and ultimately support people to thrive.  Team Up has been utilizing collective impact initiatives since 2015 to collaborate across sectors and promote communication towards common goals within rural Southwest Colorado communities.

 

The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab,  a project of Durango School District 9R,  is a public,  outdoor growing facility rooted in community engagement,  educational and economic opportunity,  multigenerational collaboration,  cultural and ecological stewardship,  and healthy living practices.   Our mission is to bring people from across the community of SW Colorado together around health and sustainability.   This includes kinder-college field trips,  community garden bed rentals,  public workshops,  and hosting a wide range of organizations for service learning activities and projects.

 

Service Position Summary:  The SOIL Lab Education Facilitator will be an integral part of the SOIL Lab’s effort to expand our educational programming through local school districts and community members.  Because their service involves projects that are new,  evolving/expanding,  and highly innovative,  the member will have a voice in the future of the projects,  while also being supported along the way.  In addition to a 100-bed community garden,  the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab recently built and began operating a 42-foot diameter Grow Dome greenhouse that includes an aquaponics system.   With the Grow Dome,  SOIL is now able to grow food and provide field trip experiences throughout the school year.   Last year,  we served over 4,000 students,  ranging from kindergarten through college.  During the 2026/2027 school year,  SOIL will be implementing new middle and high school curriculums and resources related to science,  social studies,  and education for sustainability academic standards.  These frameworks will simultaneously promote life skills,  health,  connections to nature,  and social emotional well-being.  We are seeking to incorporate an Education Facilitator to contribute their energy,  knowledge,  talent,  and skills toward helping to deliver new garden education programming and possibly to assist in developing additional new lessons and activities.

 

Additional features are currently being developed at the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab facility.   An AmeriCorps member will have opportunities to assist in designing and building the third phase of the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab,  known as The SOIL Hub.   This space will provide additional space for students to utilize during field trips,  as well as for community members to gather in a beautiful outdoor space.   A description of the SOIL Hub concept,  as well as other feature phases of the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab can be found here:  SOIL Project Overview.

 

The SOIL Lab Education Facilitator will grow the SOIL Lab’s educational impact by joining us in providing   educational experiences for students ranging from preschool through college who come to the community garden and greenhouse for field trips.  Lastly,  this member will have opportunities to expand community outreach and special events by contributing to the development of The Hub and the expanded educational programming to students and community members at large,  thus furthering SOIL Lab’s mission to bring people together around health and sustainability.  Note that this outreach and special event effort is intended to inform community members of opportunities to meaningfully engage with our programing and will not include this position contributing to any direct effort towards fundraising or grant writing.

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:  Team Up AmeriCorps members serve directly at their Host Site organization to develop,  implement,  and enhance programs,  projects,  and activities through direct and indirect service.  Duties include:

  • Education facility design -  The SOIL Lab Education Facilitator   will conduct research and site visits along with the SOIL Lab team to collect and report on best practices related to operating Pre-K through college,  and community education programs within community gardens,  geodesic grow domes,  and outdoor gathering facilities.  They will synthesize their findings into suggested plans/layouts for The Hub,  as well as programs designed to take place throughout the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab facility.
  • On-site educational event planning -  Outside of school district field trips,  our site frequently hosts free community education events and workshops.  The Education Facilitator will support planning and executing these events. 
  • Community education outreach activities -  The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab also participates in off-site educational events and activities throughout the year in our community.  This participation is focused on bringing a small part of our education efforts to community events (“tasting tables”  featuring fresh garden harvests,  traveling earthworms that help community members learn about soil health,  etc).  This is an additional effort we are looking for this position to expand upon in the interest of sharing opportunities for education and engagement with as many community members as possible. 
  • Educational leader for field trips -  The Education Facilitator will also support preK-college field trips and student visits as a small group activity leader.  Introducing another leader to our small group activities on field trips and student visits will allow us to increase our capacity limit on field trips.
  • Garden management and maintenance-  The Member will also have opportunities to learn about a variety of growing methods and assist in maintaining features such as garden beds,  food preparation facilities,  and an aquaponics system.
  • Research-  Time will be budgeted for the Member to conduct independent research related to systems and process,  best practices,  troubleshooting,  facility enhancements,  and educational programming.
  • Additional Winter Projects -  The Member will have the opportunity to engage in a series of winter projects during slower times of year that may include some or all of the following:  planning and implementing afterschool programming in the grow dome,  increasing engagement with environmental resource organizations in the region,  collaboration with local parks and recreation programming,  Spring and Fall field trip preparation,  organization,  and curriculum development,  and social media strategy and data tracking. 
  • Track host site and AmeriCorps data
  • Attend Team Up AmeriCorps regional trainings,  cohort connection days,  and Days of Service

 

Physical,  Emotional,  and Intellectual Demands:

  • Willingness to learn,  adapt,  and grow in a position
  • Ability to serve independently,  take initiative,  and be motivated by the projects they are doing
  • Compassion and awareness:  self-awareness,  awareness of cultural differences,  social differences and understanding of implicit bias

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;  computer literate
    • High School Graduate required (GED accepted,)  college graduate or equivalent work experience preferred
  • Ability to pass criminal history check
  • Reliable transportation &  proof of auto insurance
  • U.S.  Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required  

 

Term of Service -  Time Commitment:  This is a 1200-hour national and community service position requiring approximately 35 hours/week.  The position begins September 1,  2026 and ends May 31,  2027.*  Flexible hours are required,  including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

 

*Note:  Term and hours/week may be flexible pending applicant needs and experience.

 

Service on the following dates is required:

 

  • September 1:  First Day at Host Site/Host Site &  AmeriCorps Orientation
  • September 9-10:  Team Up AmeriCorps Member Orientation
    • September 10:  Meet n’  Greet with all Members &  Site Supervisors
  • Jan 19:  Dr.  MLK Jr.  Day Activity
  • March 31:  Farmworkers Day of Service
  • April 9:  Spring Convening of Members &  Site Supervisors
  • 2nd Wednesdays,  monthly:  Cohort Connections
    • in-person in November,  May,  and August
    • virtual in October,  December,  February,  June and July

 

Training and Support Provided:  Team Up AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement,  project implementation,  leadership,  diverse populations,  and more.  Up to 20%  of total hours served may be spent in applicable,  approved trainings.  Members will be supervised and supported by SOIL Lab’s Project Manager Charlie Love clove@durangoschools.org,  as well as by Team Up AmeriCorps program staff.  The PY 25-26 cohort of Team Up AmeriCorps members serving throughout the region will also act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions:  This position is based at 2900 Mesa Ave.,  Durango,  CO 81301.  Occasional off-site engagement and partnership activities,  meetings,  etc.  will be required.

 

Benefits:

  • A living allowance of approx.  $1,115.63/per pay period (twice per month).  Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
  • An education award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
  • Health Insurance,  if serving in a 1700-  or 1200-hour position
  • Childcare Assistance,  if qualifications are met
  • It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
  • Mileage reimbursement for travel to required AmeriCorps trainings and gatherings
  • Non-tangible benefits including extensive training,  valuable experience,  networking,  and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need
  • This position will be welcome to harvest fresh produce from the education garden beds and the grow dome.  
  • This position will also have opportunities to participate in professional development and training as it applies to school gardens,  community gardening,  garden education,  place-based community building   etc.
  • Scheduling can be flexible with priority placed on being available during field trips and other scheduled events.

 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity:  Team Up values the diversity of our community.   In principle and in practice the diverse nature of our board,  staff,  and volunteers is recognized as one of our best assets.   We respect each individual’s unique gifts and prohibit unfair or discriminatory practices against anyone because of age,  race,  color,  religion,  national origin,  disability,  gender,  sexual orientation,  and any other protected category.

 

AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race,  color,  national origin,  sex,  age,  religion,  sexual orientation,  disability (mental or physical),  political affiliation,  marital or parental status,  pregnancy,  reprisal,  genetic information (including family medical history),  or military service.

 

Reasonable Accommodations and Disability Inclusion:  Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed for applications,  interviews,  and service.

 

To Apply:

Step 1.  Email a cover letter and resume to Team Up AmeriCorps Coordinator Brenna Travis @  BrennaT@TeamUpSW.org.  Be sure to indicate which position(s)  you are interested in.

Step 2.  Create an account on myAmeriCorps.gov and submit an application for the Team Up -  SOIL Lab Education Facilitator @  >https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=129633 

Please complete BOTH steps to apply.

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