The AmeriCorps (ages 18 - 35) Clean Water Corpsmembers serve alongside a natural resource professional in a single placement in a Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or local government agency during the summer, learning hands-on skills in managing soil and water resources. Corpsmembers assist with service and groundwater monitoring programs, wetland and watercourse inventories and assessments; prepare documents for cost-share and easement programs; conduct field surveys and site inspections and prepare reports; and coordinate and conduct educational programs and activities. Corpsmembers may also communicate with local landowners to develop management plans, gather input on best practices and provide education materials on water resources.
 
This is a full-time commitment for the AmeriCorps service term. The 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. Members are directly supervised by Conservation Corps program staff and project advisors. Members serve in a single placement setting with a partnering government organization. Members complete service projects with direction provided by partnering agencies and representatives of those agencies.
 
We are looking to enroll one Corpsmember in each of the following locations:

Service Term: 450 or 900 hour AmeriCorps positions. 
Dates: May 28 - August 22, 2024 or May 28 - November 22, 2024

* Below is a list of anticipated locations for 2024. Final locations will be updated as they are confirmed.

Some partners may provide reduced housing options to limited locations. Housing for many locations not provided by the Corps. Member must secure their own housing near service location.

450- Hour Positions (May - August)
Becker County SWCD in Detroit Lakes, MN
East Otter Tail SWCD in Perham, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Koochiching County SWCD in International Falls, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Lake County SWCD in Two Harbors, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Lake of the Woods SWCD in Baudette, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
North Fork Crow River Watershed District in Brooten, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Dodge County in Mantorville, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Kanabec County SWCD in Mora, MN  (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

900-Hour Positions (May - November)
Cass County SWCD in Walker, MN
Crow Wing County SWCD in Brainerd, MN  (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Aitkin County SWCD in Aitkin, MN
Scott County SWCD in Jordan, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Fillmore County SWCD in Preston, MN  (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Ramsey County  in Maplewood, MN (FILLED, NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
North St. Louis SWCD in Virginia, MN

Hours & Schedule:
Members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is either Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm or Monday – Thursday, 7am – 5:30pm including a mandatory 30-minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours. Some evening and weekend hours may be required depending on site requirements. 

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,300/month
• Education Award: $1,824.07 - $3,447.50, if eligible and upon successful completion of program
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• Training, certifications, networking

Qualifications:

• Positive attitude and strong commitment to service and community work.
• Flexibility to work independently and with others in a team setting. 
• Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions 40 hours per week., which include: 
  • Serving in both indoor and outdoor settings
  • Long days of shoveling, digging, operating equipment outdoors.
  • Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds.
  • Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
  • Working in extremes of heat or cold
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to educate and interact with landowners and community members.
• Familiarity with MS Office software.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Must pass driving record and criminal history checks.
• Academic and/or field experience in natural resources preferred.

Requirements:

• 18-35 years old
• 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 defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the criminal history check.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record. Ability to reliability transport self to and from work site daily.

Other Information
Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Questions?
Contact our recruitment team at recruit@conservationcorps.org