AMERICORPS – YOUR WORLD. YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE IT BETTER.

AmeriCorps is the national service program that provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with education awards in exchange for three months to one year of community engagement.

The DNR coordinates two AmeriCorps programs to further conserve and enhance Iowa's natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations. They are Green Iowa Energy Unit and Keepers of the Land. A separate grant funded Recovery AmeriCorps crew of 520 positions will start May 1, 2009 pending funding approval.

• RECOVERY - Keepers of the Land AmeriCorps consists of 520 AmeriCorps positions dedicated statewide to a variety of areas. Full-time, part-time, and quarter-time members serve with the DNR and its partners by providing:
  • Volunteer Recruitment and involvement in natural resource conservation;
  • Disaster-recovery with green initiatives that restore areas to better than before.
  
  
  
• Green Iowa AmeriCorps Energy Unit consists of 56 AmeriCorps positions dedicated to disaster impacted areas. Members participate in community rebuilding using environmentally friendly techniques. Full-time, part-time, and quarter-time members serve with organizations in Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids:
  • Analyze community needs and available resources;
  • Develop projects specifically using energy efficient methods in homes;
  • Provide energy education in community outreach;
  • Recruit and manage volunteers.
  
  
  
• Keepers of the Land AmeriCorps consists of 55 AmeriCorps positions dedicated statewide to a variety of areas. Full-time, part-time, and quarter-time members serve with the DNR and its partners by providing:
  • Hands-on experiential environmental education;
  • Public and private sustainable land use practices, projects, and initiatives;
  • Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration practices, projects, and initiatives;
  • Volunteer Recruitment and involvement in natural resource conservation;
  • Disaster-recovery with green initiatives that restore areas to better than before.

AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance, an education award at the completion of service, and housing if available. Members must be a US citizen, US national, or legal permanent resident alien, age 17 or older, and have a high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain one while serving.

• Full-time positions:
  For a minimum of 1700 hours of service, full-time members receive a modest monthly living allowance of a minimum of $12,000 annually (exact amount dependent upon position and funding availability ), $4,725 education award, and health/dental/death benefit insurance. Positions start in September or October.
  
  
• Half-time positions:
  For a minimum of 900 hours of service, part-time members receive a modest monthly living allowance of a minimum of $6,352 annually (exact amount dependent upon position and funding availability) and $2,362.50 education award. Positions start dates vary.
  
  
• Quarter-time positions:
  For a minimum of 450 hours of service, quarter-time members receive a modest monthly living allowance of a minimum of $3,176 annually (exact amount dependent upon position and funding availability) and $1,250 education award. Positions usually start in May and end in August.

Positions are funded by an AmeriCorps grant and as such require the successful candidate to complete all of the required activities as outlined in the member handbook and contract. Upon completion of these requirements, the education award will be released. Education awards can be used to help pay off qualified student loans or to finance additional education from qualified institutions. More information about AmeriCorps can be found at www.americorps.gov.

• AmeriCorps * State and National Factsheet,*.pdf