Groundwork USA

Groundwork USA is seeking a dynamic individual to be its first National Services Director. Must be a highly organized, detail oriented entrepreneur with strong administrative, writing, communication, and finance/budgeting skills.  Successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to adhere strictly to deadlines while managing multiple projects and have experience in business management and/or organizational development. They will be a self starter with a collaborative spirit.  Experience with grants management is a plus.   Knowledge of community development, volunteer stewardship and environmental restoration is helpful but not required.  A solid work and/or academic history with BA/BS is required.  MPA/MPP/MBA is a plus. Click here to download full job posting.

The Groundwork Richmond (GWR) Trust in Richmond, CA  is an exciting new non-profit organization dedicated to improving Richmond’s outdoor environment through community improvement projects. GWR’s initial work will be to help fully develop the Richmond Greenway – a former rail line becoming a walking and biking trail – into a shining asset for Richmond. Based on a Feasibility Study completed in late 2009, the following have been identified as priorities for potential projects:

• Greenway enhancement – engage neighbors, businesses, and young people in creating a vision and bringing it to life via a variety of improvement projects
• Youth stewardship, education and employment – establish a local Green Team to engage, train, and employ young people in environmental education, projects, training, and employment
• Urban forestry and greening – conduct a citywide inventory of potential sites for tree-planting, organize neighborhood planting parties, help establish an Urban Forest Advisory Council, and/or develop a local nursery to grow seedlings for local use
• Baxter Creek restoration and improvement – help to “daylight” sections of the creek along the eastern end of the Greenway
• Miraflores area planning and improvement – host community planning workshops in conjunction with planned development, help identify siting and use of historic buildings and greenhouses, and assist with creek restoration
• Park improvements – facilitate neighborhood involvement in planning for Greenway improvements, and work to create safe passages for young people between school and community settings
• Urban agriculture – fully develop the school and community gardens already established on the Greenway and helping to replicate these efforts in other locations
• Native plantings – incorporate the planting of native plant species in creek, park, and other outdoor improvement projects.

The selection of actual projects will be determined by community interest, city priorities, partnerships, and funding opportunities. Projects along the Greenway will serve as models for expanding into the larger community over time. To identify and complete projects, GWR will engage and partner with community residents, youth agencies, the City of Richmond, businesses, and other non-profits. We will develop not only volunteer.

For more information e-mail groundworkrichmond@gmail.com.

Download a pdf of the job announcement.

The Performance Measures report lists all of the great work that Groundwork trusts throughout the country have completed this year.

Are you interested in starting up a Groundwork organization in your community? The National Parks Service is currently accepting letters of interest for new trusts. If your application is accepted, NPS will provide initial funding and technical assistance to get your Groundwork trust off the ground! For more information about how to apply and to register for updates, go to http://www.grants.gov-Find Grant Opportunities  (box on left side)-Basic Search  (box on left side)-Enter announcement number NPS-10WASO-00001 in box labeled ‘Search by Funding Opportunity Number’. You can also download the NPS announcement.

Two new Groundwork trusts approved by our partners at the National Parks Service! We are excited to announce that the feasibility studies for Groundwork Anacostia, Washington DC and Groundwork Richmond, California were completed and passed. Stay tuned to find out about their projects, slated to begin with the new year!