The Green Stewards program is a local workforce development program designed to support the City of Kansas City, Missouri, in day-to-day maintenance and monitoring of 230 green infrastructure installations in areas served by the combined sewer system. Bridging The Gap is contracted to manage the program and works with area non-profits to develop a pool of skilled maintenance workers to hire from at-risk communities in Kansas City.
GREEN STEWARDS WORKFORCE
GREEN STEWARDS TRAINING PROGRAM
The Green Stewards program is a local workforce development program designed to support the City of Kansas City, Missouri, in day-to-day maintenance and monitoring of 230 green infrastructure installations in areas served by the combined sewer system. Bridging The Gap is contracted to manage the program and works with area non-profits to develop a pool of skilled maintenance workers to hire from at-risk communities in Kansas City.
BUILDING A GREEN WORKFORCE
Stewards receive 9 months of on-the-job training in landscape maintenance with a focus on stormwater. Stewards will:
• Learn different types of systems and best management practices for mitigation of stormwater including permeable pavement and bioswales landscaped with native and non-native plants
• Provide day-to-day maintenance and inspection work at green infrastructure project sites
• Receive wrap-around social services and a stable income, that increase their ability to secure full-time employment upon completion of the program
CERTIFICATIONS INCLUDE:
Required:
• American Red Cross First Aid and CPR
• OSHA 10 Hour General Safety Standards
• Heartland Tree Alliance Tree Keepers
Optional:
• Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
• KC Can Compost Green Core – Work Readiness Training
• Certified Prescribe Burn Manager
• Tree Care Industry Association -Ground Operations- Fundamentals, Chipper Specialist and Chain Saw Specialist
A SMARTER, GREENER FUTURE
Kansas City’s green infrastructure installations are designed to reduce stormwater runoff as a part of the KC Smart Sewer program. In 2010, the City of Kansas City, Missouri entered into a Consent Decree with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the volume and frequency of overflows from the City’s sewer system. Kansas City’s Smart Sewer program is a 25-year plan to address this challenge. This program was the first federally approved Consent Decree in the nation to include green infrastructure as a means to capture stormwater before it enters the sewer collection system.
WHAT IS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT?
Green infrastructure is an approach to water management that protects, restores, or mimics the natural water cycle. Green infrastructure is effective, economical, and enhances community safety and quality of life.
EXPLORE & DISCOVER KC'S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
