Position Title: Creative Communications Member 

Position Service Site: Central Conservation, based out of The Nature Place (789 Myrick Park Dr., La Crosse, WI 54601). 

Service Dates: The Creative Communications Member commitment will feature two AmeriCorps service terms in 2027: 

• Spring-Summer Session: March 1st-August 27th (26 weeks) 900 Hour Service Term
• Mid-season Break: August 30th-September 3rd (1 week – unpaid)
• Fall Session: September 7th – December 3rd (13 weeks) 450 Service Term.

Benefits: 

• Biweekly living stipend paid throughout the season – $470 per week for 39 weeks, $18,330 total
• Education Award earned upon successful completion of service – Approximately $5,653.85

Housing: Not provided. Camping with crews is periodically expected. WisCorps will provide equipment and cover all costs for travel and lodging. 

Food: Day to Day food is not covered. There is access to a food pantry on-site. If member travels, WisCorps will provide a per diem.

Requirements: Prior camping experience, a valid driver’s license, ability to pass a background check, full availability throughout the seasons. 

Expected Schedule: Reports to main office Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, with occasional evening and weekend a hours required for crew visits and individual placement host site visits. Hours will vary weekly but generally will not exceed 70 hours over a two-week period. Member should will average 35 hours a week.

AmeriCorps Provides Additional Benefits:

• Learn more about the AmeriCorps Education Award mentioned under “Details”. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay for current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. (Award Amounts)
• Professional networking opportunities, mentorship, and experience to help grow your career
• Make a difference in the community
• Be a part of a dedicated service team
• Opportunity for loan forbearance on qualified student loans
• Free access to Employee Assistance Program includes phone/text/video call counselor service and other resources
• Access to on-site food pantry and laundry facilities

Position Overview:

The AmeriCorps Communications Member brings our mission to life by sharing compelling stories that showcase the impact of service through our Crew and Individual Placement Programs. Working directly with the Director of Communications, the member will highlight our members’ experiences, the services we provide our partners, and the conservation projects happening throughout the year through photography, video, writing, social media, and digital communications.

About Central Conservation: Central Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers environmental organizations through shared resources and operational support. We build the systems, infrastructure, and administrative capacity that allow our division staff to focus on what they do best—protecting our environment, engaging communities, and creating lasting conservation impact. 

WisCorps engages the next generation through guided, hands-on conservation service opportunities that benefit our public lands. Crew & Individual Placement AmeriCorps Members complete meaningful projects including trail construction, habitat restoration, invasive species management, and environmental stewardship while developing valuable career skills with partners across the Upper Midwest. WisCorps is a division of Central Conservation.

Service Description:

The AmeriCorps Communications Member connects audiences to our mission by sharing compelling stories that highlight the impact of AmeriCorps service, conservation, and environmental education in our communities.

Working directly with the Director of Communications, the member will capture photography and video, create social media content, write stories and blogs, and support digital campaigns and newsletters. Through firsthand storytelling, they will showcase our Crew and Individual Placement Programs, celebrate our members, highlight partner projects, and promote why these service opportunities are so important. 

Ideal candidate is creative and has strong writing and visual communication skills, an eye for trending content, and a passion for conservation, environmental education, and community engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Capture photography and video of WisCorps programs, events, partner projects, and AmeriCorps members.

• Create engaging social media content, reels, blogs, and member spotlights.

• Plan and manage social media content calendars.

• Support communications strategy and digital campaign planning.

• Update website content in WordPress and contribute to newsletters through Mailchimp.

• Promote AmeriCorps service opportunities through digital storytelling.

• Collaborate with staff to develop creative content that advances organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience with social media platforms and content creation.
• Interest in photography, videography, journalism, marketing, public relations, or graphic design.
• Familiarity with Canva; experience with Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.
• Organized, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively, bringing new ideas to the table and executing them from start to finish.
• Passion for conservation, environmental education, outdoor recreation, volunteerism, and community engagement.
• Willing to make the first introduction in a conversation with a stranger.

AmeriCorps Qualifications:

Impact: The AmeriCorps Communications Member will drive awareness of AmeriCorps service, elevate the stories of members making a difference, strengthen community participation in environmental education programs, and recruit future AmeriCorps members for both The Nature Place and WisCorps.

Through authentic storytelling, these members will help inspire more people to care for and about nature.