The White House recently announced the formation of the American Climate Corps, an initiative modeled after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps. This program, managed under AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service, will put more than 20,000 young Americans to work fighting the impacts of climate change nationwide.
The program launch includes a new American Climate Corps website and applicant portal, partnerships to enhance pathways into federal service, and registered apprenticeships and a new national service partnership to support energy communities.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. This is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.
They focus on six primary areas of service including:
- Disaster Services
- Education
- Healthy Futures
- Economic Opportunity
- Environmental Stewardship (Climate Change)
- Veterans & Military Families
AmeriCorps prepares today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. They connect veterans to services, fight the opioid epidemic, help seniors live independently, rebuild communities after disasters, and lead conservation and climate change efforts.
Review their comprehensive state reports to see the scope of AmeriCorps presence throughout the nation and what was accomplished last year in your state.
Last year in Pennsylvania alone, more than 7,100 Americans of all ages and backgrounds united to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity through national service in Pennsylvania. AmeriCorps invested more than $31.9 million in federal funding to support cost-effective community solutions.
AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers served at more than 1,100 locations across Pennsylvania, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, youth centers, veteran’s facilities, and other nonprofit and faith-based organizations.
American Climate Corps
This new workforce training and service initiative ensures more young people will have access to the skills-based training necessary for good-paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy.
Applications are accepted from high school to college students, part time students, and even drops can apply.
Their mission as stated on their website is to, “empower a new, diverse generation to tackle two of the greatest challenges of our time: environmental injustice and climate change. We are creating a world in which individuals are equipped with the career training and hands-on skills to make change — change we can breathe, see, feel, and touch.”
The President signed an executive order creating this service and is providing the funding for 20,000 new recruits for the program. Nearly 50,000 Americans have expressed interest in joining the American Climate Corps and recruiting efforts are now underway to fill thousands of part time positions.
The government is partnering with the private sector to expand the program.
Apply for Climate Corps Positions
There are currently 270 part time announcements available with application deadlines from early May through late December 2024. Many announcements have multiple vacancies and the starting pay for the majority of these positions ranges from $12.00 to $20.00 an hour. The programs run from as little as several months up to one year in some cases.
Review the current vacancy listings and apply online; some of the early listings are no longer accepting applications. There is an APPLY button at the TOP of each job description. When you click on APPLY, a detailed description for all jobs offered under the announcement is provided with links to the related application.
Climate Opportunities
If you have a child in school looking for part time work and exposure to climate-related careers, this new program is an exceptional opportunity for them to expand their horizons and earn a salary along the way. Workers also receive educational benefits, travel pay, and housing when needed.
These positions could lead to a full-time federal job. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed creating a streamlined pathway into federal service for federally-supported national, state, local, or Tribal service programs, including American Climate Corps programs.
Don’t hesitate, applications are currently being accepted and many are expected to apply. Explore opportunities in your area and apply for as many of the positions you can to improve your chances.
