Crew Member - Iowa (Des Moines)

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,300 per month
• 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 term length, 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 may occur throughout the Midwest, including urban and wilderness settings. Depending on crew location and project requests, 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 two Regional Managers.

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, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
• Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in public
• Commit to completing 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.

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.  

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
• 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

Qualifications

• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions
• 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 Field Crew Members may be required by project hosts to obtain a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License. Corps will provide training and support on a case-by-case basis if licensure is required. (Dependent on length of position and specific crew expectations)
• Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out of town assignments and emergency response
• 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:

• • 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