Washington Conservation Corps taps Rebecca Benjamin as new director

We are excited to announce that Rebecca Benjamin has been named as the new director for our Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) program.

Rebecca joins Ecology after a long career serving in leadership positions for environmental nonprofits. Most recently, Rebecca served as the executive director for the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC), where she helped build the grassroots organization into a significant leader for salmon habitat restoration on the Olympic Peninsula. She is renowned for her ability to build coalitions, navigate challenges, and lead with compassion.

Rebecca earned her bachelor's degree in environmental conservation with a minor in outdoor education from the University of New Hampshire. She has also led executive leadership training and outdoor group facilitation for companies such as Eddie Bauer, Microsoft Corporation, The Boeing Company, and Seattle University.

She has decades of experience working in partnership with our WCC program and served as a WCC individual placement (IP) member in the late 1990's, where she supported salmon habitat restoration with the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.

"WCC laid the foundation for my career, enriching my life and leading me to make a real impact on behalf of Washington's environmental health," Rebecca said. "I am passionate about how WCC makes a difference in the lives of individuals and inspires so many to become part of the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders."

For instance, while she was director for the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, the organization added a WCC crew and IP member to broaden their work on the ground.

"Partnering with WCC was a way to make a difference in people's lives and provide inspiration, experience, and opportunities for young people to see themselves in environmental careers," said Rebecca. "It is heartening to see past WCC members working for land trusts, conservation districts, and environmental nonprofits, as well as local and state agencies and Tribes. It is an honor and a privilege to lead WCC."

About WCC

Washington Conservation Corps is an AmeriCorps program housed in Ecology that provides hands-on career training opportunities for young adults (ages 18-25) and military veterans. AmeriCorps members in the WCC support critical environmental projects, including invasive species removal, native plant installation, wetland restoration, wildland fire mitigation, and trail and campground improvements.

WCC also supports local and national disaster relief efforts as an AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team. Most recently, 20 WCC members and staff deployed to northwestern Iowa for the month of August to support communities affected by severe summer flooding.

Join WCC!

WCC is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Members serve on a field crew (five members and one crew supervisor) or independently as an Individual Placement while supporting habitat restoration, outdoor recreation enhancement, environmental education, and wildlife monitoring. All members receive daily training and mentorship while growing their conservation knowledge, honing their teamwork skills, and networking with professionals in the environmental field.

WCC members receive a pre-tax living allowance of $1,441* issued twice a month (*positions based in King, Snohomish, and Clark counties receive a location-based elevated living allowance of $1,568 issued twice a month), health insurance, mental health services, and an AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 after completing the program. Positions begin Oct. 1, 2024, and run through Sept. 5, 2025.

To apply:

• Read our eligibility requirements.
• View our web map to find current openings and position descriptions.
• Submit an online application.

Positions are filling quickly, so we recommend submitting applications early. For questions about recruitment, contact [email protected].

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