Overview
Position: 2023 Veterans Corps Field Crew Member (AmeriCorps, ages 18 – 35)
Location: Mankato, Rochester, St Paul
This is not a residential program; participants must secure housing preferably near the crew location
Service Term: May- December 2023
Position Summary: AmeriCorps Veterans Corps Field Crews serve outdoors restoring habitat, managing natural resources, and responding to natural disasters or community needs. In addition to these tasks members will work with the Veterans Corps Manager to attend sessions on transitioning to civilian life and connecting to veteran services and resources. The Field Crew program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. Members develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects. Members will be trained in a wide variety or skills and receive nationally recognized certifications and opportunities to network with professionals. Natural resources projects vary by region and crew location, but may include:
Invasive species management
Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
Prescribed burning
Trail construction & maintenance
Tree planting
Basic carpentry
Wild land fire suppression
Emergency response
Projects are in partnership with public land management agencies such as the State Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, cities, counties, and trail associations. Projects are physically challenging and team-oriented and occur throughout the Midwest, including urban and wilderness settings. There will be out-of-town assignments, requiring camping for 4 – 12 consecutive days, frequency depends on project schedules. Crews are led by Crew Leaders and supervised by Regional staff and a Veterans Corps Manager.
Duties & Responsibilities
Complete 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 900 hours 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
Qualifications:
Qualifications
Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions
Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity, and community
Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:
Long (10 hour) days of shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools repetitively
Long (10 hour) days of chainsawing / brush sawing
Heavy lifting
Required Skills:
Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out of town assignments and emergency response
Honorably served in the US military
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.
High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
Preferred Skills:
Benefits:
Living Allowance: $2,376- $2,600/month
Education Award: up to $3,247.50 upon successful completion of program
Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
Health insurance
Childcare assistance
Training, certifications, networking
Other Information
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa requires all employees and AmeriCorps members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 OR provide a weekly COVID-19 test.
Questions?
Contact our recruitment team at [email protected]
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.
