Job Details
**Position:** 2022 Field Crew Member (AmeriCorps, ages 18 - 25)
**Location:** Various, in Minnesota and Iowa
*This is not a residential program; participants must secure housing near the crew location.*
**Service Term:** 1700-hour AmeriCorps position; January/February November/December
**Benefits:** Education Award: $6,345.00, if eligible and upon successful completion of program * Living Allowance: $1,610/month
* Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
* Health insurance
* Childcare assistance
* Training, certifications, networking
**About Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa:** Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, a nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee, engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in 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. Our projects and programs embody our core values of safety, service, respect, equity, and community. In working toward our vision, we believe it is important to acknowledge that natural resources organizations, including Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, have a legacy of supporting and benefiting from systems that have restricted access to public lands and careers for marginalized groups. To challenge this, we commit to 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: 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. Depending on crew location, up to 90% of projects will be out-of-town assignments, requiring camping for 4 12 consecutive days. Crews are led by AmeriCorps Crew Leaders and supervised by 2 Regional Managers.
**Locations** :
* Northwest Minnesota: Brainerd, Bemidji, Fergus Falls
* Northeast Minnesota: Grand Rapids, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Duluth
* Central Minnesota: St. Paul, Hanover, Plymouth, Shakopee, Andover, Chaska
* Southern Minnesota: Rochester, Mankato
* Iowa: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls
**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, upholding the Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity and community
* Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in
* Share project highlights and photos with the Marketing and Communications Department for inclusion in news release articles and other communications
* Serve a minimum of 1700 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 fashion
**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. Overnight travel (4 12 consecutive days) is often required for service projects.
**Training & Development**
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 that may include: * AmeriCorps benefits
* Team building and conflict resolution
* Diversity, equity and inclusion
* Safety and risk management
* Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
* S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification training
* First Aid and CPR
* MN Safety Council defensive driving
* Trailer operation and safety
* Invasive species management/herbicide application
* Plant identification
* Leave No Trace principles.
**Qualifications**
* Be 18-25 years old.
* 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:
**Other Information**
In accordance with 45CFR 2520.65, AmeriCorps members may not perform prohibited service activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in the activities. Prohibited service activities are outlined in the Service Agreement section VII and AmeriCorps member manual.
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values the diversity of its staff and members and does not discriminate against anyone. Employment/placement decisions with Conservation Corps will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. 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 18-25, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.
Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
CCMI is committed to providing a safe workplace. Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation. With that in mind, CCMI has adopted a policy on mandatory vaccination to safeguard the health of our AmeriCorps members and employees from the hazard of COVID-19. Our policy complies with OSHAs Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing (29 CFR 1910.501).
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