Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Emergency Management or designee to execute a non-standard Service Term Agreement with the Public Health Institute, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation administering the CivicSpark Fellowship program as part of the federal AmeriCorps program, to host a full-time fellow with a term agreement from October 5, 2026, through September 3, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $37,500.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Emergency Management or designee to execute a non-standard Service Term Agreement with the Public Health Institute, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation administering the CivicSpark Fellowship program as part of the federal AmeriCorps program, to host a full-time fellow with a term agreement from October 5, 2026, through September 3, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $37,500.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) seeks to serve as a project host site for the 2026-2027 CivicSpark Fellowship program. The fellow will support and coordinate countywide wildfire prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and community resilience initiatives through collaboration across local jurisdictions, partner agencies, and community stakeholders. Approval of this agreement will allow the County to host a full-time, CivicSpark fellow for an 11-month service term (October 5, 2026, through September 3, 2027). This fellowship project will increase DEM’s capacity to strengthen local planning, community engagement, and coordination, ensuring public safety and community resilience.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Health Institute (PHI) administers the CivicSpark program as part of the federal AmeriCorps program. PHI provides capacity building services to local organizations through project implementation activities performed by AmeriCorps Members (“CivicSpark Fellows” or “Fellows”). The CivicSpark Fellowship Program aims to advance community planning goals, build local workforce capacity, and cultivate career opportunities for future civic leaders. The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management fellowship project will be integrated into existing local efforts, aligning closely with programs led by the County and its partners to ensure a coordinated, cross-agency approach to wildfire mitigation to support local priorities and advance shared goals to protect life, property, and critical infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
County Counsel's Office, including Risk Management have reviewed and approved as to form.
FINANCING:
CivicSpark Fellowships are funded in part by AmeriCorps and in part by partners hosting fellows. For the 2026 - 2027 service term, the partner fiscal contribution is $37,500. Non-standard payment terms are included in Attachment A. The Department of Emergency Management is providing the partner fiscal contribution through the awarded 2025 CAL FIRE Wildfire County Coordinator Extension Grant Program. There is no impact to the General Fund resulting from this action. Funding for this item is already included in the Department of Emergency Management’s FY 2026 27 Adopted Budget (DEM100, Unit 104001).
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Serving as a project host site for the 2026-2027 CivicSpark Fellowship program directly supports the Board of Supervisors' strategic plan goals of Safe and Resilient Communities and Well-being and Quality of Life by supporting efforts to enhance wildfire preparedness, coordinate mitigation projects, and reduce fire risk to protect lives and property. It also aligns with Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future by promoting long-term resilience through proactive land management and hazard reduction efforts.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]:
_X_ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_X _ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_X _ Safe and Resilient Communities
___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
If does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
____ Administrative [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]
Link to the Strategic Plan:
<https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139569>
Prepared by: Maeh Al-Shawaf, Management Analyst III, x1973
Approved by: Kelsey Scanlon, Director of Emergency Management, x1902
Approved by: Michael Beaton, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x3835
Attachments:
Attachment A: Non-Standard Service Term Agreement