Field Crew Member

The AmeriCorps Stewardship Crew is essential to the management and restoration of Bur Oak Land Trust properties and other protected properties the land trust serves in eastern Iowa. Stewardship Crew Members will serve on a 4-member crew led by a Crew Leader to train and use a variety of land management techniques to restore native habitat and remove invasive plant species including prescribed fire, chainsaws and other tools to contribute to the overall biological health of area lands.

The service term for this position is 12 months, with a typical service schedule of 40 hours per week in the field, Monday through Friday. The position starts September 2024 and ends August 2025. The Crew Member is responsible for serving a minimum of 1,700 hours, completing required service tasks, and serving until August deadline to successfully complete their term.

Position responsibilities:

Habitat Restoration:

• Serve under supervision and guidance of staff land stewards and/or AmeriCorps crew leaders, or independently to implement habitat restoration plans
• Complete National Wildfire field day training, enhanced courses based on interest are encouraged but optional (provided)
• Complete chainsaw training (provided)
• Operate a chainsaw or other power tools to reduce timber canopy cover, or clear trails and vegetation
• Plant native trees and shrubs, and seed native grass and forbs
• Conduct plant and animal surveys under guidance of site adviser
• Participate in prescribed burns on prairie and woodland habitat
• Conduct plant and animal surveys

Invasive Species Management:

• Complete Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship pesticide applicators training and licensure if no prior training has been complete, or enhanced courses based on interest (provided)
• Apply invasive plant species control mechanically using hand tools or chemically with targeted herbicide/pesticide application

Infrastructure Improvement:

• Maintain or install/remove infrastructure including gates, fences, interpretive signs/kiosks
• Maintain trails of encroaching vegetation, overhanging trees, ruts, erosion or other trail issues

AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team:

• Participate in A-DRT training(s) to ensure knowledge and ability to respond to disasters
• Complete other training necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training

AmeriCorps required qualifications:

• Must be a high school graduate or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 17 years old or older at the start of service (no upper age limit)
• Must pass a 3-part national service criminal history check
• Must have a valid driver’s license or other government issued photo identification
• Must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Ability to hike/walk up to 5 miles per day while carrying equipment
• Manual labor experience

Benefits:

• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. Education Award amount: $7,395.
• Living allowance: $1,700 per month (pre-tax)
• Health insurance
• Student loan forbearance for eligible loans

Training opportunities:

Each member will choose a training track during the term: Data collection and analysis, Naturalist, and Disaster Response. Specialized training opportunities will be available based on the track.

Bur Oak Land Trust is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.