MI Healthy Climate Corps:

Join the MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHC Corps) and make a lasting impact on Michigan’s carbon-neutral future! The MHC Corps accelerates Michigan’s climate action through capacity building and leadership development. Members serve across the state to advance the MI Healthy Climate Plan’s (MHCP) goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan, unveiled by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2022, aims to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis; create good-paying jobs; position Michigan as a climate action leader; and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders.

About the Host Partner:

The City of Kalamazoo is the county seat of Kalamazoo County and serves a population of 72,873 citizens. Kalamazoo’s residents are diverse and passionate about their city and the environment they inhabit. In 2019, elected ocials declared a climate emergency. This resulted in the creation of the City of Kalamazoo’s rst Community Sustainability Plan. This plan is a roadmap to make the City of Kalamazoo more sustainable. In this plan are net zero carbon goals, safe street suggestions, and other lofty sustainable goals. With the plan in place, Kalamazoo hired it’s rst sustainability planner to oversee this plan.

MHC Corps Member Role and Responsibilities

• Our member will work on two main projects. The rst project will be working with Kalamazoo residents and local nonprofits to better understand the Ination Reduction Act, especially as it relates to direct pay provisions that will be forthcoming from the State of Michigan.
• Additionally, this member will work to educate the public on the City’s Safe Streets for all campaign. This campaign is working to encourage non motorized and alternative transportation on the city’s streets. The rst step has been the instillation of bike lanes and some trac calming. These steps have been well received by some of the public, but many citizens don’t understand the need for the changes. Dedicating a staff member to outreach on these campaigns can help to decrease the confusion of citizens.
• Empower the community to access federal and state climate resources by planning meetings, educational programs, and/or other activities to consistently share information.
• Participate in MHC Corps member development shared learning and collaboration activities including four MHC Corps in-person convenings, MHC Corps monthly virtual trainings (refer to calendar attachment), and Michigan’s AmeriCorps activities.
• Members will host a community input session with their host site to collect community feedback and advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

Evaluation and Reporting:

• Members will complete a Mid-year Performance Evaluation during the term.
• Other reporting requirements (bi-weekly timesheets, monthly data reports, quarterly narrative reports).

Preferred Qualications:

The appropriate candidate will have a strong interest and/or background in environmental issues, coalition building and/or community organizing, and communications or a combination of such interests. The appropriate candidate must possess strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, the ability to work within a team or as an individual and be familiar with the Microsoft Oce suite and Google Applications. Members are required to work the standard oce hours of their host communities.

No specic background or education is required to join the MHC Corps!
But a minimum of 2 years of experience in these types of situations is essential for success:

• Experience facilitating a meeting with people who have more experience than them
• Complete their work independently and without constant supervision
• Experience overcoming obstacles in work situations in the past
• Experience managing multiple professional relationships
• Comfortable working outside of the typical 9 am – 5 pm to attend community events
• Ability to use or teach oneself new software in a fast-paced role with little oversight

Minimum Qualications:

• Live in Michigan
• Ability to travel to four in-person MHC Corps convenings around the state. Carpools will be available and encouraged.

• Be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must have a high school diploma, GED, or be working toward the completion of one.
• U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Pass the following National Service Criminal History Checks: State of Michigan background check, State of residency (if not Michigan), FBI Fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Registry

Compensation:

Members will receive a living allowance of $35,200 distributed in even increments, bi-weekly. Members will receive student loan forbearance for qualied loans, health care benets, child care assistance upon eligibility, and continual professional development. Upon successful completion of service, an education award in the amount of $7,395 will be issued. Members will serve approximately 40 hours per week (a total of 1,700 hours during the service term).

The MI Healthy Climate Corps Program is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for interviews and service as needed.