Americorps VISTA EJ Team at Captain Planet Foundation

Captain Planet Foundation’s mission is to work collaboratively to engage and empower young people to be problem-solvers for the planet. CPF is hiring three (3) Americorps VISTA members to help the organization scale its Green Heart STEM Challenge, under the Planeteer Alliance program.

This Green Heart STEM Challenge program for 2025 projects to benefit 1,000 6th – 8th grade students and 100 teachers across metro-Atlanta (with a special focus on Clayton County and DeKalb County Public School districts) and metro-Houston. Over the course of the Challenge, students will develop solutions to the climate injustices that are acutely felt by and affecting their communities.

The VISTA team members will contribute to the goals of the project by performing activities such as working with CPF team members to program, schedule, and launch all activities and training related to the 2025 Green Heart STEM Challenge for Environmental Justice - WIND Edition (circular economy – specifically solutions and interventions to fast fashion, single-use plastics, and e-waste); while mentoring students and teachers over the course of the Challenge which will run from January - May 2025. Team members will also assist with building the 2026 Challenge addressing soils, trees, and land use (EARTH Edition).

VISTA service members will work with CPF staff members to create Challenge content; identify experts and organize video content; build the structure for teacher training; mentor students; build the judging structure; build the mentorship model with corporate teams and subject matter experts; promote and market the program to the educational community; promote and market the program to the funders, media, and community leaders; tell the stories of the winning student ideas to the communities they will impact; plan the Idea Incubator in various key markets; and various other responsibilities.

Qualifications:

A qualified candidate will demonstrate

• Knowledge and understanding of climate justice and environmental justice issues
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills

• Creative writing and storytelling skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to follow through on projects and stay on task with minimal supervision
• Interest in the environment, science education, and empowering young people to make a difference in the world
• Experience with podcast production and associated software; and social media skills are a bonus

Requirements:

• Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens andpersons residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status.
• Candidate must have fluency in English
• Candidate must reside in the Atlanta metro area and be able to work at the Captain Planet Foundation officesdowntown at least 4 days per week; with one day remote work
• Candidate must have reliable transportation and a clean driving record (gas cards for travel compensation will be provided)
• Candidate must have access to their own computer and reliable internet connection for working remotely one day/week

Timing & Compensation: This is a full-time (40-hour work week), year-long employment contract starting on Monday February 12, 2025 and completing on February 10, 2026. Americorps VISTA service members are compensated directly by Americorps VISTA which follows the Americorps VISTA Member payment schedule and living allowance for Fulton County, Georgia, which is a little over $22,800/year. (Living allowance chart can be found here.)

Additional Support: To provide additional support to the Americorps VISTA living allowance provided above, CPF will also furnish each member with a $500 monthly grocery card (member must pick Publix, Kroger, or Trader Joes at the beginning of employment); as well as a monthly

$100 gas card to QuickTrip to offset commuting and work travel costs. This will add $7,200 annually in living cost offsets to your VISTA compensation. This brings total compensation to $30,000/year.

Location: This position is open to Atlanta-based candidates. The CPF offices are located in downtown Atlanta at 133 Luckie Street, with close proximity to Peachtree Station MARTA station.

For more information about Captain Planet Foundation, please visit our website.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their application by January 10, 2025.