Introduction to the Organization:
The Southern California Mountains Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes connecting communities to our public lands is the key to their survival. We mobilize individuals to inspire and engage in environmental citizenship. The Southern California Mountains Foundation supports youth development through conservation initiatives integrating environmental education, training and hands-on service projects; protects our natural resources through adult and family-led programming; and provides interpretive services that focus on outdoor recreation, responsible use, and stewardship of our natural environment. The Southern California Mountains Foundation is comprised of 30 full-time staff, 75-100 part-time employees and 750 volunteers. We achieve our mission through seven programs: (1) Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire, (2) Big Bear Discovery Center, (3) Off-Highway Vehicles, (4) Fire Lookouts, (5) National Children’s Forest, (6) Music in the Mountains and (7) Big Bear Valley Trails.
Introduction to the Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire:
The Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire (UCCIE) is a certified Local Conservation Corps founded in 2006 by Bobby Vega and his wife Sandy Bonilla, out of a need to provide employment training to underserved transition age youth at risk of incarceration in the City of San Bernardino. The goal of the UCCIE is to provide at-risk transition age youth (18-26) with opportunities to succeed through job skills training, education, and work experience with an emphasis on service projects that benefit the community. The UCCIE is the largest program of the Southern California Mountains Foundation, with three main focus areas: (1) Conservation services , (2) Recycling services, and (3) Corpsmember development with an on-site John Muir charter school. The UCCIE is primarily funded by a variety of government grants, corporate and foundation grants, and fee-for-service projects. The UCCIE department has 15 full time staff that hire and train 50-60 young adult corpsmembers annually to work on conservation and recycling projects in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Job Description:
Corpsmember
The UCCIE is a 12-month program that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, ages 18-26, to join our crews and education program. Corpsmembers (program participants) serve on crews of 4-10 individuals providing services to their community. The type of daily work varies. Participants will support recycling and conservation projects. Examples of work projects include: Recycling routes/events, e-waste and tire collection/events, trail building and maintenance, fence building and repair, and weed abatement. Program participants are provided on-the-job training and continuing education opportunities for up to 12 months. Training, uniforms, and transportation to the work sites is provided.
Environmental Educator Designation
Corpsmembers that are designated as Environmental Educators in our Urban Conservation Corps program will follow the guidelines and protocols listed above in addition to the ones for Environmental Educators. The environmental educator designation has a projected duration of 6 months, after which you will have the opportunity to remain a corpsmember. The first half will consist of a 12-week intensive Tuesday-Saturday course and the second half will be a 12-week placement at the Big Bear Discovery Center. As an Environmental Educator, you will be in charge of your successful completion of the program.
Being an Environmental Educator is a life-changing experience that will set you up for success in future endeavors. In this training position, you will have the opportunity to complete the California Naturalist Certification course and learn through hands-on experience by being placed in a tour-guide role. You will also learn and develop the following: observation, questioning, discussion, senses, wildlife, ecological succession, forest ecology, stream ecology, guided hikes, public speaking, cultural competence, and environmental problem solving.
Primary Environmental Educator responsibilities:
- Attend trainings and complete coursework and supplemental work
- Participate in program-related activities
- Take initiative in communication with manager and teacher
- Represent the organization accurately and positively
- Consistently demonstrate professionalism and passion
- Guide hikes and tours in designated locations
