Rural Community Development Apprentice, Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Rural Community Survey and Research (~40%): Along with providing support to the range of projects in Sierra Institutes rural development program, the apprentice will primarily work on a rural community decadal survey to understand issues of rural change in Westwood, a former logging company town. Previous surveys were conducted in 1990, 2000, and 2010, and informed issues of relevance to the community. Most of the work involves working with community partners to administer the survey, collecting data, analyzing data, and communicating survey results. Working with the Rural Development Team, the apprentice will primarily: 

• Work with Sierra Institute supervisors and community partners in the town of Westwood, CA, to refine survey methodology and data collection tools, including survey instrument and code book;
• Develop a data collection protocol and work with community partners to administer the survey to all households in the community;
• Input survey results into a database, clean data, and analyze results, including by integrating results from previous surveys to understand change over time; and
• Communicate results, including through formal write-ups, short research briefs, and meetings with key community members to ensure results are widely communicated and provide a pathway to rural community development.

Rural Community Development Program Support (~30%): In addition to working on the Westwood survey, the apprentice will have the opportunity to learn about and support other aspects of work at the Sierra Institute, based on the apprentice’s interests and the Institute’s needs. This may include:

• Contribute to planning and implementation of community workshops that measure socioeconomic conditions in Sierra Nevada forested communities;
• Support program planning efforts centered on workforce development in forest restoration;
• Conduct outreach, project support, and assessment efforts with programs supporting forest restoration crews working in rural areas of the state as well as with Tribally-run forestry crews;
• Draft reports on water related needs in tribal communities and under resourced communities across the Sierra Nevada;
• Conduct background research on issues related to environmental justice and rural community well-being, and;

Social Media and Marketing Support (~20%): This will include development of social media posts, visual aids for Sierra Institutes newsletter and general outreach materials using mediums like Canva to highlight and disseminate Sierra Institute program work.

General Organizational Support (~10%): As a member of Sierra Institute’s professional staff, the apprentice will contribute to the organization’s overall pursuit of its mission. Responsibilities may include participating on field trips with youth, assisting with administrative duties in the main office, or other organizational support activities.