AmeriCorps Field Crew Members (ages 18-25) receive on-the-job training to learn natural resources management skills and put those skills into practice completing habitat restoration projects throughout the Midwest. Crews complete natural resource conservation projects such as tree planting, exotic species management, trail construction, stream bank stabilization, prescribed burning, wildland fire fighting and emergency response. Crew Members also get the chance to work alongside conservation professionals and explore career options within the environmental field.
This is a full-time commitment for a half-term AmeriCorps service term. The Crew Member will receive a monthly stipend and an education award upon successful completion of the term that may be used for education expenses or to repay qualified student loans.
Term dates and schedule:
- Term: May 30 – December 15, 2017
- Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. typical. In some locations, hours vary significantly and overnight camping is often required 4-12 days at a time.
Stipend and award:
- Monthly stipend: $1355
- Education award: $2887.50 upon successful completion of term
Locations: Housing is not provided by the Corps. Member must secure their own housing near service location.
- Iowa: Council Bluffs, Ames
Qualifications:
- Ability to work well with others in a team setting.
- Strong desire to learn new skills.
- Positive attitude and interest in service and community work.
- Dedication to complete full term of AmeriCorps service.
Requirements:
- 18-25 years old.
- Able to perform the Essential Service Functions 40 hours/week:
- Long (10 hour) days of shoveling, digging and swinging heavy tools repetitively
- Long (10 hour) days of chainsaw / brush saw work
- Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
- Working in extremes of heat or cold
- Working, eating, and camping outdoors in all weather conditions
- Able to complete an arduous Work Capacity Test. The arduous level requires individuals to walk 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying a 45 pound pack on level terrain.
- Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US.
- Must pass the National Sex Offender Public Registry and criminal history check. “Pass” is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPR and no history of violent offenses on the criminal history check.
- Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out of town assignments and emergency response.
- Must successfully pass medical review process.
- Full term of service must be completed in order to receive the education award.
Benefits:
- Monthly stipend
- Education award upon successful completion of term
- Health insurance
- Student loan forbearance during service term
- Skills training and job experience
Training: As an AmeriCorps service learning program and to prepare Crew Members for habitat restoration projects, the Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year, and additional region or project specific training throughout the service term including:
- AmeriCorps benefits
- Team building and conflict resolution
- Safety and risk management
- Power and hand tool safety and use
- Tool maintenance
- S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification
- Red Cross first aid and CPR
- Defensive driving
- Trailer operation and safety
- Invasive species management/herbicide application
- Tree identification
- Leave No Trace
This program is available to all, without regard to disability, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or political affiliation. The Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-25, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request.
Deadline: May 24, 2017
Early application encouraged. Applications reviewed and considered as received.
Questions? Contact Kellie Lager, Recruitment Coordinator
recruit@conservationcorps.org or 651-209-9900 x31