A workforce development program empowering emerging climate leaders to take climate action to engage communities, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) Fellowship is an AmeriCorps service program that’s part of a California statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. Annually, we match 400+ Fellows with public agencies, Tribes, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations across California for an 11-month Fellowship to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, wildfire resiliency, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery.

Urban Greening

We are expanding green spaces to combat the heat island effect, improve air quality, boost biodiversity, and sequester carbon. We also remove fire-prone invasive species and restore native wetlands to promote healthier, more climate-resilient communities.

Organic Waste Diversion

We are dedicated to diverting organic materials from landfills through initiatives that educate and support communities in composting efforts while also recovering edible food to combat both methane emissions and food scarcity in California.

Wildfire Resiliency

We prepare communities for wildfire prevention and mitigation through resiliency programs, proven strategies, and Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) to improve wildfire prevention, protection, and awareness for California communities.

Together, Climate Action Corps Fellows have accomplished...

*The numbers published here reflect CCAC climate impact activities reported from September 2021 - February 2025

11,822 Acres

Treated for wildfire resilience

428,633

Native plants & trees planted

75,444,996 Lbs

Organic waste diverted from landfill

35,574,034 Lbs

Food recovered and distributed

2,580,996

People educated on climate action

50,645

Volunteers engaged

2023-24 California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

Program Benefits

Fellows will receive personalized mentorship from industry experts, gaining hands-on experience in volunteer mobilization, policy change initiatives, and project/nonprofit management. Our program offers professional development guided by experienced mentors and staff while providing valuable connections to a vast network of leading organizations in climate resiliency. Other benefits include:

Receive up to a $33,600 (pre-tax) stipend spread evenly over 11 months
Earn up to $10,000 (pre-tax) in education awards upon completion of 1700 hours
Participate in 170-340 hours of professional development & training
Minimum essential healthcare coverage
Forbearance on qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the term
Food assistance and childcare assistance (for those eligible)

Climate Action Corps Fellows distributing edible food to the community.

Fellowship Time Commitment

This Fellowship requires a 1700-hour commitment, with a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week from approximately 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours depending on project needs. Of the total 1700 hours, 170-340 hours are allocated for professional development. Other commitment considerations include:

Academic Eligibility

This is a full-time commitment; students enrolled in undergrad classes are not eligible to participate in the program

Training

10-20% (170-340 hours) of Fellow hours are dedicated to fostering the Fellow's personal and professional development

Vacation & Holidays

Fellows can accrue vacation time and have approximately 14 Holidays, which align with the respective host sites schedule

Work Arrangement

All Fellowship positions are on-site or hybrid; there are no fully remote positions available in this program

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Live in California by August 15, 2025
Be over the age of 18 by August 15, 2025
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate*

Commitment to the full term of service (1700+ hours over 11 months)
Must not have served more than one full AmeriCorps term or over 1,700 hours
Capable of working an 8-hour workday, 5 days per week
Must have no criminal history of violent or sexual offenses**

*Please note that currently, we are unable to accept applicants with student visas (e.g., F1 or F2 student visas, J1 or J2 exchange visitor visas, G series visas, etc.) or individuals with deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status. If offered a position within the program, all Fellows will be required to provide documentation as proof of residency status.
**All Fellows will undergo criminal and sexual offender background checks

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