Overview
Location: Des Moines, IA
Not a residential program; must secure housing near the crew location
Service Term: 450- or 900-hour AmeriCorps position; May – August or – December
Stipend: 1,810/month
Education Award: 1,718.25 – 3,247.50
Position Summary: A crew of five AmeriCorps members participate in on-the-job training to learn natural resources management skills and put those skills into practice studying monarch butterfly breeding habitat. The crew member position involves physically challenging, team-oriented AmeriCorps service. Habitat projects may include but are not limited to pollinator counts, milkweed stem counts, and maintaining and organization field data. Project sites vary throughout Iowa, including urban settings and wilderness. Service is performed exclusively outdoors and may involve camping for several days at a time.
When field data collection ends in early to mid-September, crew members duties will shift. Members will participate in habitat restoration projects in Iowa, completing natural resource conservation projects such as exotic species management, herbicide application, stream bank stabilization and erosion control, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, trail construction & maintenance, tree planting, basic carpentry, wild land fire suppression and emergency response in partnership with public land management agencies. This position is led by an AmeriCorps Crew Leader and is supervised by two Regional Managers.
Duties & Responsibilities
Complete habitat and natural resources service projects in cooperation with fellow members safely, effectively and efficiently and to the satisfaction and specifications of the project host
Abide by Corps program safety regulations as well as applicable federal/state/municipal law and OSHA requirements; communicate any safety concerns and incidents
Contribute actively to the team to complete projects, demonstrating a commitment to the Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity and community, as well as justice, diversity, and inclusion.
Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in public
Serve a minimum of 450 or 900 hours (depending on service term) and complete the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement
Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in timely manner
Hours & Schedule
Schedules can vary, depending on crew location. Crew members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, including a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours. Up to 90% of projects will require overnight travel (4 – 12 consecutive days). Some special assignments (including wildfire response and other emergency response assignments) may require members to deploy for several weeks at a time.
Qualifications:
Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US
Must pass a criminal history check consisting of a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing the criminal history check is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the state or FBI checks.
High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
Required Skills:
Work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions
Commitment to Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity, and community
Dedication to complete full term of AmeriCorps service
Relevant experience in botany, wildlife, or another related field; experience identifying native Midwest prairie forbs
Excellent verbal communication skills, attention to detail, ability to enter data accurately onto mobile device/computer
Able to perform the Essential Service Functions - see site
Preferred Skills:
Experience identifying insects and their larval instars; knowledge of North American milkweed species (ability to recognize common and uncommon species in the field)
About Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee that engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters. Our mission is to engage youth and young adults in meaningful service, leadership development, and environmental stewardship. Our vision is a world in which everyone has equitable access to nature, is equipped to succeed in career and life, and is empowered to make a difference in conserving natural resources. Learn more at conservationcorps.org.
