August 29, 2014 – This position is unique as the member will be working with two organizations. This dual- purposed position will work as the Susquehanna Valley Velo Club (SVVC) Coordinator and as the Crystal Lake Camps (CLC) Ski Center Coordinator. Since both positions are relatively seasonal, the full-time position will be split their time based on each organization’s needs.

As the CLC Ski Center Coordinator the member will be responsible for various tasks related to the operations and promotion of the cross country skiing opportunities of Crystal Lake. This person will be the single point-of-contact for ski operations for CLC Ski Center. Similarly, as the SVVC Coordinator the member will be responsible for various tasks related to the promotion, marketing, and expansion of cycling opportunities available through the organization.

The Coordinator will report directly to a joint committee made up of members from the CLC Ski Committee, SVVC, and STEP, with one member from the CLC Ski Committee and one member from SVVC being the direct supervisors based on tasks being worked on. Members must have all clearances before serving vulnerable populations. This AmeriCorps service description was developed for AmeriCorps service, not staff or volunteers. AmeriCorps members do not replace staff.

POSITION BENEFITS

• Bi-weekly stipend
• Health Insurance (for qualified members)
• Forbearance on qualifying student loans while serving and interest accrual payment upon program completion
• Segal Education Award upon program completion
• Child Care Allowance (for qualified members)
• Experience and training
• National service organization membership and alumni services

SERVICE DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED
– Marketing and Promotion Skills
– Self-Motivated
– Task Driven
– Ability to multi-task
– Passion for the outdoors
– Knowledge of cross-country skiing and bicycling (mountain and road)
– Communication Skills
– Organization Skills
– Volunteer Coordination Skills
– Event Planning Skills
– Computer and Social Media Skills
– Ability to provide physical labor – trail maintenance

COMMUNITY NEED
Lycoming County is full of rich assets providing a connection to the natural environment for fitness and recreational purposes. Crystal Lake Camps (CLC) Ski Center is an untapped asset that often goes overlooked by residents and organizations in providing recreational opportunities. In an effort to optimize the use of CLC as a ski and biking destination, and promote health and fitness in the outdoors, this AmeriCorps position has been established. In addition, promoting cycling throughout the county and region is also a priority of SVVC for this position. Connecting the opportunities to vulnerable populations, specifically students and seniors is an important component to the position.

Another component to this position is the forging of a relationship between two nonprofit organizations focused on outdoor recreational opportunities and providing them with the support they need to work together. Through a member working jointly with SVVC and CLC Ski Center, the public will better understand what both organizations offer and how to get involved, while promoting both cross-country skiing and bicycling.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION/SPECIFIC DUTIES
The main functions of the CLC Ski Center Coordinator can be grouped into four categories, each of which is essential for the overall operations of a successful Ski Center.

Marketing

• In conjunction with CLC Ski Committee, establish hours of operation and publicize on website, telephone message, and other media.
• Maintain and improve CLC Ski Center website, related to hosting and programming provider.
• Record daily snow report and phone message.
• Monitor webcam and internet display of ski conditions.
• Manage the Tourism Promotion Agency grant that was received, which included coordinating print advertisements in magazines, etc.
• Create and plan special events.
• Edit old email list and integrate new emails from shop logs, include all skiers into the email list. Establish contact with email list subscribers through providing periodic emails on conditions and special events, etc.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION

•   Create and maintain year-round marketing plan.
• Develop marketing relationships with area lodging and food services.
• Develop ski packages with local hotels, work with Chamber of Commerce.
• Work with schools and outdoor clubs to introduce Crystal Lake as a destination.

Ski Shop Operations

 

•  Manage day-to-day operations of ski shop
• Provide customer service in ski shop on weekends with help from paid assistants and volunteers, tasks include selling passes, rentals, supplies, and food.
• Recruit and schedule shop volunteers for mid-week skiing operations.
• Select and purchase inventory of wax, clothing, souvenirs, and snacks
• Work with Tivoli Tavern or other vendors for food service in shop and on busy days in dining hall
• Set up shop before season and take down after season (with volunteer help)
• Maintain rental equipment and manage rental program
• Coordinate instruction reservations and staffing
• Distribute mail and answer shop telephone

Trails

• Develop a thorough understanding of the trail system, to be able to provide current conditions to customers.
• Organize and recruit volunteers for work days and other trail maintenance.
• Coordinate activities of paid grooming staff.
• Coordinate maintenance of all grooming equipment, verify that in operational condition.
• Keep maps and signage up-to-date and in good supply.

Fiscal

• Responsible for providing weekly financial reports and have knowledge of where things are daily. The goal is to immediately decrease spending when snow conditions do not bring in revenue and to recruit more skiers on days when snow conditions are good.
• Set up system for point of service collection, inventory, database of customers. Train staff and volunteers in its use.
• Cash controls and bank deposits. Give fiscal data to bookkeeper (STEP, Inc.)
• Compare spending and receipts against budget and report to CLC Ski Committee on a regular basis.
• Support fundraising activities of CLC Ski Committee.

The main functions of the SVVC Coordinator can be grouped into three categories, each of which is essential to further the mission of SVVC.

Marketing – General

• Create and maintain year-round marketing plan along with Executive leadership.

Marketing – Community Outreach

•  Coordinate with local schools and outdoor clubs to introduce people to bicycling in the Williamsport area through club outreach events.
• Develop community outreach program(s) through bicycle-related activities SVVC can participate in (bike repair workshops, bicycle salvage and donations, bicycle rodeo, etc.).
• Work with SVVC members to make the Williamsport area a cycling destination by developing and enhancing marketing relationships with area lodging and food services through the Williamsport – Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
• Develop and plan events for SVVC members, such as group rides, club events, social event, and road and/or mountain bike races.
• Develop print advertising for SVVC and planned events.
• Promote and raise awareness for cycling safety by coordinating with local municipalities and PennDOT to increase signage, designated bicycle routes, etc.

Inter-Club Marketing/Social Engagement

 

•  Update and maintain email contact lists for SVVC, volunteers, and others.
• Maintain and improve SVVC website and Facebook page:

o Respond to emails and posts in a timely manner – increase community engagement through website and Facebook.
o Track and analyze website and Facebook engagement for effectiveness.
o Maintain online club calendar.

• Develop and enhance business relationships throughout the Williamsport through the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau
• Coordinate development of the new SVVC kit (jersey, etc.) by soliciting advertising, building relationships with vendor(s), processing orders, and maintaining inventory.
• Develop bicycling opportunities for all levels of cyclist. Group rides, ride leaders, training rides, time trials.

Infrastructure

• Organize and coordinate trail work operations with SVVC members
• Work in conjunction with local municipalities (cities, boroughs, townships) to develop urban and sub-urban cycling plans and connectors for existing routes.
• Work with members to develop a network of known cycling routes, both mountain and road, to be published on the club website and a printed map (similar to Purple Lizard maps).
• Work with local PennDOT to ensure cyclists’ needs are considered before roadwork starts. (ie: tar chip shoulder of Route 87, gap in the barriers on Route 15, etc.)
• Develop and maintain relationships with private land owners and DCNR to help grow the trail network in the Williamsport region.
• Maintain maps of trails
• Procure and/or produce signage for trails using the IMBA standards.

In addition to the specific tasks of the position, as an AmeriCorps member there are certain mandatory activities the member will participate in.

AmeriCorps Member Activities

• Attend Corps Team meetings.
• Complete AmeriCorps monthly service and outcome reports.
• Complete weekly time logs in timely fashion.
• Complete weekly journals.
• Develop, plan and participate in various AmeriCorps events such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, AmeriCorps Week activities and other service projects.
• Participate in host site and AmeriCorps trainings as scheduled.

ACCESS TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Position will have episodic access to vulnerable populations, but will work to expand opportunities at Crystal Lake and bicycling generally to more vulnerable populations, including students and seniors.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITES
While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, members may not engage in the following activities:
a. Attempting to influence legislation;
b. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes;
c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;
d. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;
e. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials;
g. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization;
h. Providing a direct benefit to—
i. A business organized for profit;
ii. A labor union;
iii. A partisan political organization;
iv. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 related to engaging in political activities or substantial amount of lobbying except that nothing in these provisions shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; and
v. An organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph (g) of this section, unless Corporation assistance is not used to support those religious activities;
i. Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive;
j. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and
k. Such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit.

AmeriCorps members may not engage in the above activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in one of the activities listed above. Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, and using non-Corporation funds. Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.

AmeriCorps members are prohibited from displacing employee services, duties or activities performed by an employee who recently resigned or was discharged; an employee who is subject to a reduction in force; an employee who is temporarily absent or is on leave.

If interested in the position, please contact:
Daryl Kern, STEP AmeriCorps
dskern@stepcorp.org
570-601- 9672
More information available here.