Climate Action Fellow

Project summary

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is part of a statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. CCAC matches Fellows with organizations to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, organic waste diversion and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders.

Opportunity description

The Decarbonization and Zero Waste Program, led by Sustainable Marin Schools (SMS) in collaboration with the Novato Unified School District (NUSD), is committed to empowering students to address climate change challenges while fostering resilience. Fellows will actively engage in recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, providing environmental literacy across K-12, and spearheading direct climate action efforts. By prioritizing carbon emission reduction, this program ensures equitable access to environmental education, empowering students to advocate for their future while reducing their schools' environmental impact. SMS is seeking 6 dynamic Fellows to form a collaborative team across 6 Novato schools. Each Fellows will spearhead initiatives at their focus school, but Fellows can meet each afternoon to coordinate joint projects such as tours, events, and social media strategy. Through initiatives like the Zero Waste Program and Environmental Literacy, SMS aims to create a healthier school environment and prepare students to become leaders in the green economy, providing essential resources to tackle climate change and promote sustainability within Marin County and beyond. Duties include, but are not limited to: Implement and sustain a Zero Waste Program at an elementary school, including establishing and overseeing waste stations, teaching recycling and composting in classrooms, training student and parent compost monitors, and identifying opportunities to reduce waste. Establish essential infrastructure to ensure longevity of sustainability initiatives, including enlisting students for the Green Team, recruiting parents and teachers for the School Site Sustainable Committee, and serving as a liaison among various stakeholders. Enhance environmental literacy (EL) opportunities within schools by crafting curriculum and activities, delivering EL courses for grades K-5, and integrating EL with climate action initiatives in schools. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to actively engage in climate action efforts and support sustainability initiatives across K-12 schools. Craft compelling content for social media campaigns to empower sustainable choices to tackle climate change challenges for students and the broader community.

Benefits

• $33,600 stipend
• $10,000 education award
• 340 hours of professional development
• Minimum essential healthcare
• Loan forbearance
• Food and childcare assistance (for those eligible)