Position: Field Crew Leader (AmeriCorps, ages 18-30)
Location: River Bend Nature Center
Housing is provided.
Service Term and Education Award Amounts:
Service Term: May - August 450 hours
Education Award: $1,956.35
*Members are eligible for an education award up to the amount listed by enrollment type.
Benefits:
- Living Allowance: $2,350/month pre tax
- Training, certifications, networking
- Access to gear lending library
- Access to Employee Assistance Program
- Health insurance
- Childcare assistance
- Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
- Service term eligible to count towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
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 cultivate a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet. Learn more at conservationcorps.org.
Our values embody safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership. In working toward our vision, we believe that it is important we commit to the following:
- Using equity as a lens for the work we do and decisions we make
- Building a shared vision surrounding Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals with our partnering organizations and communities, and
- Providing an equitable training environment and high-quality programming to all our participants.
Position Summary: AmeriCorps Field Crews serve outdoors restoring habitat, managing natural resources, and occasionally responding to natural disasters or community needs. 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. Natural resources projects vary by region and crew location, but may include:
- Invasive species management
- Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
- Trail construction & maintenance
- Tree planting
- Basic carpentry
The Crew Leader position is integral to the AmeriCorps field program’s goal of accomplishing environmental service projects by providing training, education, coordination, and leadership to ensure a positive and safe experience for AmeriCorps Crew Members. Crews complete natural resource conservation projects such as exotic species management, herbicide application, stream bank stabilization and erosion control, timber stand improvement, trail construction & maintenance, tree planting, basic carpentry.
The AmeriCorps Crew Leader typically leads a crew of 4 or 5 AmeriCorps members, serving as the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff. The Crew Leader is responsible for the crew’s service and safety during each project. The Crew Leader and Crew Members are supervised by two Regional Managers.
Role Clarification:
This is an AmeriCorps member level position, NOT a staff member. While serving in this AmeriCorps position, members need to abide by the below restrictions:
- Members may NOT sign/approve official documents such as AmeriCorps paperwork, other member‘s timecards, performance evaluations, disciplinary contracts, project contracts or any similar documents.
- Members may NOT be directly involved in project acquisition or contracting.
- Members may NOT discipline other AmeriCorps members. While they may provide guidance, facilitate crew meetings, motivate, reward and uphold safety policies on the service site, all policy violations and disciplinary action must be directed to and handled by Corps staff.
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
- Commit to completing the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement
- Contribute actively to the team to complete projects, demonstrating a commitment to the Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
- Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in public
- Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in timely manner
- Be responsible for crew safety and training in order to promote a safe service ethic and prevent accidents and injuries.
- Organize daily operations so that efficient, high-quality standards are assured.
- Provide crew leadership in such a manner that members are treated fairly, learn service and life skills, and perform efficiently.
Hours & Schedule
Schedules can vary, depending on location and position. 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.
Training & Development
The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year. Additional region or project specific training may be included throughout the service term depending on project need, length of term and other factors. Examples of potential trainings include:
- Team building and conflict resolution
- Leadership
- Safety and risk management
- Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- MN Safety Council defensive driving
- Invasive species management/herbicide application
- Plant identification
- Leave No Trace principles
- AmeriCorps benefits
Qualifications
- Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs
- Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
- Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
- Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:
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- Long (8-12 hour) days engaging in physically demanding work using various hand and power tools
- Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
- Working in all weather conditions
- 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
Preferred Qualification
- Experience/education in natural resource management, habitat restoration work and/or related fields.
Other Information
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone. Conservation Corps does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, military service, union membership, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status with regards to public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-30, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.
