Forestry Support Specialist – Individual Placement

Position: Forestry Support Specialist (AmeriCorps, ages 18-30)

Location:

• Grand Rapids, MN

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

Service Term and Education Award Amounts:

1700 Hours

$7,395.00

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,500/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: Forestry Support Specialists serve alongside natural resource professionals in partnership with agencies such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and nonprofit organizations. Forestry Support Specialists learn hands on skills related toforest management, including field survey and data collection, silviculture, Best Management Practices and site evaluations. Tasks may include using a variety of field tools, navigating with map and compass, public outreach, and tasks related to urban and community forestry. . The Individual Placements program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. Specialists develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects.

Specialists are directly supervised by Conservation Corps Program staff and partner site supervisor. Members complete service projects with direction provided by partnering agencies and representatives of those agencies.

Inventory Forester and GIS Specialist

Crew Location (City): Grand Rapids, MN

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Term Length: 1700 hours, February – December, 2026

Description of Anticipated Projects:

Project work would include field survey and data collection, landowner outreach, and GIS analysis.  Work would include contacting and engaging landowners, collecting permanent plot forest inventory data, stand based forest inventory data, follow up reporting and analysis of data. Collected tree data includes species, diameter class, general health indicators, and ownership.  Additionally, our program oversees the Best Management Practices voluntary guideline monitoring program and would work with staff foresters and technicians evaluating site level impacts of harvests on water quality.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete service projects to the best of their ability, serving safely, effectively and efficiently to ensure projects are completed to the satisfaction of project hosts and the community
• 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
• Specific projects depend on the site assignment but may include:
• • Conducting field surveys evaluating tree size, class, diameter, and health
  • Reporting and analysis of data
  • Evaluating harvest sites for impacts on water quality
  • Organizing logistics related to project and/or travel
  • Landowner outreach and engagement
  • Public outreach and engagement
  • Urban and community forest health and survey data collection
  • Perform native plant and tree identification, determine soil types, assess planting success
  • Collect various plant and tree samples
  • Data collection
• Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in a timely manner
• Some positions may require regional travel overnight for days at a time.

Hours & Schedule

Schedules can vary, including in-person and hybrid options depending on their site and position. Members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 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
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• First Aid/CPR/AED
• AmeriCorps benefits
• Truck and trailer operation training
• Use of powered equipment (ATV, fire engine, tracked vehicle)

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to educate and interact with landowners and community members
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and weather conditions
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
• Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
• 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
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s in the past five years)

Preferred Qualifications

• GIS experience in ArcPro, ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS online.
• College coursework and/or degree in a relevant field.
• Experience identifying common trees, shrubs and plants
• Experience working in the field in a variety of conditions
• Ability to engage productively with landowners and members of the public
• Experience with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace (Excel, Word, Google Sheets, Google Docs).

Other Information

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. 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.