The Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program seeks to serve Oregon's rural communities through economic and community development and natural resource planning. Housed in the University of Oregon's Community Service Center, we aim to link the energy, expertise of our members with the planning and public policy needs of Oregon’s rural communities.

Our mission is to assist Oregon's resource-dependent rural communities while providing supported, applied experience to graduate level students from across the US. RARE members live in rural communities for eleven months and serve cities, counties, non-governmental organizations or state agencies to improve economic and environmental conditions in rural Oregon. The RARE AmeriCorps Program is now in its 22nd year; over the years we have placed more than 450 volunteers and served every Oregon County.

Duties
Each RARE member focuses on community specific projects that fall within the following focus areas: downtown development, public health, transportation planning, community education, economic development, land use planning, food systems planning, and natural resources planning. For more information about the types of work our members take on, click here: https://rare.uoregon.edu/program-description

Qualifications
RARE members are required to be either U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. In addition, you will need to hold a Bachelor's Degree and demonstrate six months applied community experience as well as coursework or equivalent experience in three or more of the following areas: planning or statistical analysis, planning or economic theory, project management, community or economic development, environmental planning, geographic information systems and grant writing. For more information about eligibility and our selection process, click here: https://rare.uoregon.edu/selection-process-information
Application Guidelines/Contact:
If you are interested in applying to RARE, please complete our Member Application Process. Applications for 2016-2017 are being accepted now for a September placement. Member Application Process Please complete the following steps:

Step 1: Download the 2016-2017 RARE Application Form by clicking here: https://rare.uoregon.edu/member/apply-now

Step 2: Populate the RARE Application Form. Please make sure to adequately answer each of the five essay questions included in the RARE Application Form

Step 3: Please include an electronic version of your professional resume in your RARE Application Form When you have completed the application packet save and send as a Word document to rare@uoregon.edu in the format: LastName_part_ap_16-17. If you have problems or need assistance, please send us an email or call (541) 346-2879. Completed applications must be emailed (as an attachment) to the RARE office no later than 5pm April 29, 2016.

Salary:
$1,500/Month, Educational Award of $5,775, Health Insurance, Nine Graduate Credits, etc.