Maine Green Schools Network Coordination VISTA

Find yourself in the center of an exciting new consortium of Maine school educators, administrators, community partners, and youth to strengthen sustainability practices, improve school facilities, and expand access to climate-ready curriculum! 

Join the Maine Green Schools Program by playing the central coordinating role in the development of the newly established Green School Network (GSN) – this role is perfect for those seeking to help address climate change while working daily with some of Maine’s most recognized environmental players! 

The Maine Department of Education’s (MDOE) Green Schools Program leads statewide efforts to expand environmental change and climate literacy. The Program is designated by statute to play a central role in the development of the Green School Network (GSN). Established in 2025, the Green Schools Network will connect Maine K-16 educators, administrators, community partners, and youth to strengthen sustainability practices, improve school facilities, and expand access to climate-ready curriculum.  

The Network prioritizes access for high-poverty and geographically remote school districts whose resources and isolation may limit their ability to build strong environmental-sector career pathways and, more generally, strengthen resilience to climate change. Therefore, the project will build the foundational infrastructure of the Maine Green Schools Network (GSN) to expand environmental-focused connectivity of Maine schools, especially those in rural and economically disadvantaged communities. The VISTA member will expand the Network’s communication outreach, partnerships, and resource-sharing platforms so that schools with limited staffing capacity and high poverty rates can more easily participate. By expanding this access, the project will help lower school facilities operating costs, strengthen student pathways into new careers opportunities, and enhance long-term community climate resilience. We will provide statewide communication tools, existing partnerships, and programmatic leadership that you as the VISTA member will help organize into a cohesive statewide network! 

As the first Coordinator of the Green Schools Network, the VISTA will develop a statewide communication outreach plan to increase access for all schools, with a focus on rural and low-income school districts to provide educational and facility-improvement resources. This will be executed by developing online discussions, webinars, and other resources that connect schools to each other – and relevant local and national organizations – for the purpose of enhancing curriculum, professional development, facility upgrades, and funding opportunities. 

The VISTA will assemble existing materials into a “resource hub”, organizing and centralizing curriculum, PD, funding opportunities, and community-based learning programs to reduce barriers for schools with limited staffing capacity. 

Additionally, the member will… 

• Engage youth, educators and key school personnel as leaders into their own virtual discussion groups to share resources online, building a sustainable pipeline of youth and educator leadership to ensure long-term momentum. 

• Create cross-sector partnerships to reduce school costs and expand opportunity by increasing collaboration on green facility upgrades between schools, community organizations, and state agencies to maximize cost-savings, student health, and energy efficiency in all Maine communities.

Benefits

• Bi-Weekly Living Allowance of $957.46/Biweekly
• Relocation Allowance of $750 plus $.40 per mile (for those moving more than 50 miles)
• Health Benefits
• Childcare Reimbursement if Eligible
• Student Loan Forbearance for eligible federal loans (interest paid by AmeriCorps)
• Training and Professional Development
• Life Navigator (on-staff licensed counselor for members)
• Choice of Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395) or an end-of-term bonus ($1,800) upon term completion
• Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal employment for one-year post-term
• Extensive Training
• Housing Allowance
• Access to parking and workspace at the Maine Department of Education in Augusta

*Individuals are limited to two full Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards in their lifetime

Already have a MyAmeriCorps account and want to apply for this specific role? You can find that listing on MyAmeriCorps here.

The positive impact VISTA members offer their local communities is remarkable and continues to build year after year. Descriptions of all Goodwill AmeriCorps Positions can be found at: goodwillnne.org/jobs/americorps/positions/.