MHC Corps

Position Title: Sustainability Associate

Host Site: Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Position Type: On-site

Site Supervisor: Amanda Oparka

Slot Type: Full term (11 months)

Hours: Full-time placement (40 hours/week)

Dates of Service: November 13th, 2024 - October 17th, 2025

Stipend: $35,200

Location: Macomb, MI

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:

Reporting directly to Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel, the mission of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development is to retain, grow and attract economic investment while improving the overall quality of life for residents and businesses in Macomb County.

With 32 miles of coastline along beautiful Lake St. Clair, 32 miles of the clean, clear and connected Clinton River and over 13,000 acres of tree-covered public space, Macomb County is indeed the perfect place to live, work and play. The protection and continued restoration of Macomb County's natural spaces, both water and land, is the mission of the Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources Division (PNR), with the goal of sustaining them for generations to come for its residents, businesses and visitors alike.
MHC Corps Member Role and Responsibilities:

• Green Macomb is an urban forestry partnership program for all of Macomb County. It was established in 2015 with the goal of increasing our tree canopy county wide to 40%. The MHC corps member would assist with coordination of tree plantings including working with communities to develop planting plans and assisting with plantings.
• In addition to assisting with tree planting efforts we are looking at implementing a carbon crediting program where we can sell the carbon credits from our tree planting efforts to help offset carbon emissions from local businesses. The MHC member would assist us in getting this program off the ground, including coordinating with local governments to develop a memorandum of understanding, develop a long-term tree health monitoring plan, implement the first year of monitoring and work with economic development staff to identify local businesses that would benefit from the program.
• In addition to the Green Macomb tree efforts the MHC member could assist in green infrastructure site plan development and grant writing.
• The MHC member would also assist our department in developing a clearing house of information for local businesses on programs and incentives available to them to assist in clean industry innovation. Our economic development staff works daily with local businesses to innovate industry here in Macomb County and this will serve as a tool for them to further our sustainability initiatives.
• The MHC member will also work with our marketing and communications team in partnership with local farmers, producers, and farmer's markets to promote products grown, produced, and distributed in Macomb County. This was identified as a priority in the farmland preservation plan adopted in 2024 and aligns with goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
• 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 Qualifications:

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 Office suite and Google Applications. Members are required to work the standard office hours of their host communities.

No specific 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 Qualifications:

• 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 qualified loans, health care benefits, 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.

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