Who We Are

Serving rural Oregon for over 29 years, the University of Oregon's Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program places the next generation of change-makers with host organizations across the state to take on meaningful and catalytic placed-based projects, all with the focus of increasing the vitality and vibrancy of communities we serve.

We offer a unique opportunity to connect the community and economic development needs of rural Oregon communities with the personal and professional development aspirations of the next generation. Using a tried-and-true model for engagement, we provide a topnotch service-learning experience while delivering resources, expertise, and critical capacity to rural Oregon. Our goal is to ensure a mutually beneficial experience for our RARE AmeriCorps members and rural communities we serve.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with a strong desire to utilize and develop interpersonal skills for community outreach and group facilitation, serve rural, and make a difference!

1. - Ability to work through conflict and maintain good relationships
2. - Effective teamwork
3. - Ability to remain organized and on-track with projects and processes
4. - Technical skills, including data collection, analysis, and representation; large document creation; grant writing; GIS; website development and/or policy analysis
5. - Strong written, verbal, and graphic communication ability
6. - Service motivation – volunteerism and service to community
7. - Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of people
8. - Commitment to rural community development

Qualifications: RARE AmeriCorps 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 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. More information about eligibility and our selection process.

What You’ll Do

RARE AmeriCorps projects typically fall into three broad categories:

Community and Economic Development

1. - Assisting rural entrepreneurs in the development of business plans
2. - Completing economic development plans for local, county and regional governmental entities
3. - Coordinating the development of a downtown master plan or parks and recreation master plan
4. - Facilitating city-wide facilities assessment and mapping project with Geographic Information Systems
5. - Engaging a community in creative placemaking and installing murals
6. - Developing and supporting outdoor recreation-based tourism in a region

Environmental and Sustainability Planning

1. - Coordinating an array of land conservation and watershed enhancement projects
2. - Designing a citizen involvement program for a watershed council
3. - Creating a rural solar outreach strategy
4. - Collaborating with planners and residents to help rebuild wildfire-affected communities

Community Food Security/Food Systems

1. - Creating community food assessments and tribal food sovereignty assessments
2. - Enhancing local farmers’ markets and food related business activities
3. - Developing a regional agritourism food trail
4. - Coordinating partners in creation of a regional food hub

What You’ll Gain

1. - Living Stipend/Monthly: $2,250
2. - Personal Professional Development Fund of $300
3. - Medical Insurance*
4. - Child Care Benefits*
5. - SNAP Benefits*
6. - Segal Educational Award of $6,895
7. - Federal Student Loan Forbearance
8. - Professional training in Community Development, Grant Writing, Communication, Land Use, Economic Development, Facilitation, Leadership, etc. (valued at ~$5,000)
9. -Nine Graduate Credits from the University of Oregon’s Master of Community & Regional Planning, -Master of Public Administration, or Master of Nonprofit Management program**
10. - In-state Tuition Eligibility
11. - University of Oregon Graduate School Fee Waiver

*Eligibility dependent on individual circumstances

**Other university programs may or may not accept the credits. Please note that while the credits will be earned, you will still be held to the tuition requirements of the university upon registration

Placements will be in various rural communities across Oregon. More information on current members. Serve rural for a better you and a greater us!

Join us for an upcoming information session to learn more:

February 28 | March 29 | April 17

Term of service: September 2023 - July 2024

Member Applications due April 30th by 11:59pm PT

Apply now! 

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) envisions a network of emerging leaders that are addressing society’s most pressing issues from the rural Oregon perspective. As a result of RARE’s programming and relationships: community-based organizations have increased capacity, people are thriving across all identities and experiences, and members are successful in achieving their professional and personal goals.

RARE service should be accessible, enjoyable, impactful, and safe for all people regardless of their identity and background. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and disparities that exist in our membership, organization, and partnerships.

We strive for a RARE where…

1. - Our diverse members are bringing value to rural communities and advancing their leadership and professional goals without fear of repercussions, discrimination, or oppression.
2. - We are relationship-based: connected to each other, the community, and organizations working to create a more just and equitable community.
3. - Hosts and members are aligned with RARE’s mission, vision, and values and receiving valuable support and services as a result of their partnership with RARE.
4. - Staff have the capacity to respond to host organization and member needs, provide host organization and member support, and identify and address equity issues.

Organization Details