About the Program

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Each year, GrizzlyCorps places 35 full-time fellows with partner organizations in forest and farm communities throughout the state of California for 11 months. Our fellows have served with a variety of host partners and organizations, including non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, University of California Cooperative Extension, Tribes, research stations, and other local government agencies. Throughout the year fellows complete capacity-building projects that aim to improve the impact of their host site’s work, build community resilience, and respond to climate change. During the service year, GrizzlyCorps Fellows work on selected projects that promote regenerative agri-food systems and/or fire and forest resilience. 

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The Application Process

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GrizzlyCorps opens the Priority Fellowship Application in late February of each year, followed by the Regular Application. Depending on the year, GrizzlyCorps may open a Late Application after our regular recruitment cycle ends for specific projects. 

 

Our application includes a series of questions addressing AmeriCorps eligibility, education and work history, professional or academic references, as well as questions addressing your skills, interests and experience relating to GrizzlyCorps focus areas and projects. The application also calls for three short essay responses on key topics about your background and interests relative to GrizzlyCorps. 

 

GrizzlyCorps staff review applicants after each application deadline. Candidates who move past the review stage will then participate in two interviews with GrizzlyCorps staff, followed by interviews with host site partners. All candidates have the opportunity to state which regions and projects they are most interested or willing to serve in for the year. GrizzlyCorps host sites are announced each year in April. 

 

During the application cycle, GrizzlyCorps staff provide support to candidates through virtual information sessions and interview guides. In addition, all questions asked during GrizzlyCorps interviews are always sent to candidates ahead of the interview. 

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Areas of Responsibility and Essential Functions

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As AmeriCorps members, GrizzlyCorps Fellows are required to engage in specific goals or tasks. During the year, GrizzlyCorps Fellows focus their service on: 

• Capacity building projects to address resilience and local climate needs.

• Volunteer engagement to recruit and build volunteer services, and support existing volunteers.

• Professional development to build professional and community development skills with a focus on social emotional learning and technical, field specific career training. 

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Tasks and Functions Include

• Promotes regenerative agri-food systems, forestry and/or fire resilience in conjunction with community needs through capacity building projects.

• Maintains detailed and accurate records of activities, including but not limited to accurately recording service hours and submission of monthly progress reports. 

• Notifies appropriate program staff of any concerns at the host site. 

• Participates in community service projects and volunteer recruitment activities including those on National Service Days (i.e. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Cesar Chavez Day).

• Adheres to all AmeriCorps, program, and host site rules and regulations. 

• Submits monthly progress reports and commits to annual media submissions. 

• Wears program-issued AmeriCorps uniform at all times while serving. 

• Maintains a consistent service schedule conducive to completing the minimum number of service hours. 

• Attends training sessions provided by GrizzlyCorps and host sites. 

• Checks for program-related email correspondence daily and responds accordingly.

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Explanation of duties

All GrizzlyCorps projects will increase the capacity of local communities to promote resilience and response to climate needs. Examples of projects include developing forestry management plans, creating outreach and engagement strategies, supporting technical assistants programs,  implementing pilot and demonstration projects, and engaging key stakeholders. 

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Overall, all GrizzlyCorps Fellows follow the same 3-stage intervention process to implement their service:

• Gap Assessment where Fellows identify capacity building goals 

• Research, planning, and implementation projects to address these goals

• Transitioning of knowledge to host partner and community 

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Schedule Requirements

• Hours are generally Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 5:30 (varies by host site), averaging 40 hours per week including some evenings and weekends.

• Serve a minimum of 1700 hours during the term of service.

• Of their total hours, the Fellow is expected to log no fewer than 120 training hours, but is able to log up to 20% of their total hours as training hours. The remaining 80% of hours will be dedicated to community based capacity building projects.

• Must participate in 3 service days throughout the service year – Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, and AmeriCorps Week. 

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Benefits of Service

In exchange for their service, Fellows will receive the following benefits:

• Annual Living Stipend of $30,250 paid out monthly

• Medical health insurance at no cost (including vision and dental) through The Corps Network

• $10,000 education award that can be used for eligible student loans, tuition, and other education related expenses after successful completion of your service year. See more information: Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

• Forbearance and Interest Accrual Repayment of Eligible Student Loans

• Child care expense reimbursement if you qualify : www.americorpschildcare.com

 

Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications

GrizzlyCorps Fellows must have completed at least a 2 year degree (AA) and ideally have relevant experience in a related field. Some projects and host sites may require a 4-year degree (BA/BS). An ideal candidate will have the following characteristics:

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AmeriCorps Requirements

• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

• Be at least 17 years of age

• Ability to pass FBI, CA Department of Justice, out-of-state (if applicable), and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks prior to service*

GrizzlyCorps Requirements

• Minimum of a 2-year degree (AA) from an accredited college or university. Some projects may require a 4-year degree (BA/BS)

• Commitment to the full term of service (11 months, 1,700 hours).

• Strong verbal and written communication.​

• Capability to serve in a professional office setting.

• Ability to conduct fieldwork, if applicable to the position.

• Commitment to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that host site staff, fellow AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and community members of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included.

Strongly preferred

• A degree in a related field.

• Past service experience (e.g., AmeriCorps, volunteering, community service, etc.).

• Experience with, or training in, outreach, facilitation and/or education

• Comfort with quantitative tasks, including data collection and analysis.

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

 

This is an equal opportunity position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

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*Candidates with a criminal history involving a murder conviction and/or a crime that requires the individual to register as a sex offender are automatically disqualified from serving with AmeriCorps.  In addition, failure to disclose any other criminal conviction during the application process may also result in disqualification.  Please notify GrizzlyCorps staff if you have questions about what to report. 

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Additional Resources and Information

For resources on how to write a resume, you can refer to UC Berkeley's Career Center Resume Guide.

 

View a recording of our 2023 fellow info session and Q&A here.