Crew Leader - Iowa (Cedar Falls)

Position: Field Crew Leader (AmeriCorps, ages 18-30; 18-35 for Veterans)

Location: Cedar Falls, IA

This is not a residential program; Unless otherwise noted, participants must secure housing preferably near the crew location

Service Term and Education Award Amounts:

*Members are eligible for an education award up to the amount listed by enrollment type.

• Living Allowance: $2,400/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.

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 may occur throughout the Midwest, including urban and wilderness settings. Depending on crew location and project requests, up to 90% of projects may be out-of-town assignments, requiring camping for 4 – 12 consecutive days. Crews are led by AmeriCorps Crew Leaders and supervised by two Regional Managers.

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. Project sites may vary throughout the Midwest, including urban settings and wilderness. Service is generally performed exclusively outdoors and may involve camping for several days at a time. Crews complete 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 such as the DNR, USFWS, NPS, SWCDs, etc. 

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.

For crews that travel- Overnight travel (4 – 12 consecutive days) is often required for service projects. Some special assignments (including wildfire response and other emergency response assignments) may require members to deploy for several weeks at a time. 

• Team building and conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Safety and risk management
• Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
• S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification training
• First Aid/CPR/AED
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• Trailer operation and safety
• Invasive species management/herbicide application
• Plant identification
• Leave No Trace principles
• AmeriCorps benefits

• Based on location/project, some members may be required to pass the arduous Work Capacity Test.
• 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
• Iowa locations: Must possess or be able to acquire an Iowa Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Corps will provide training and support to obtain license (Dependent on length of position and specific crew expectations)
• Minnesota locations: Must possess or be able to acquire a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Corps will provide training and support to obtain license. (Dependent on length of position and specific crew expectations)

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. This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, 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.