Individual Placement – Land Steward Specialist

Position:  Land Steward (AmeriCorps, ages 18-30; 18-35 for Veterans)

Location: Wakan Tipi, 590 4th Street E, Saint Paul, MN 55106

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

Service Term and Education Award Amounts:

450 Hours – $1,956.35

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

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:  Land Steward Specialists will help in site monitoring of Wakan Tipi, garden maintenance at the Owozu Mayan Akan Garden, complete stewardship tasks depending on site needs, and attend community engagement events on site. Stewardship tasks could include harvesting using Indigenous harvesting practices, native species plantings, trail maintenance, cleaning of outdoor classroom spaces, seeding, and invasive species removal.

During the spring, the member will help implement an invasive species removal plan created by Wakan Tipi. The member will work with Land & Environment staff at Wakan Tipi to decide the best practices for invasive species treatments in the spring season. The member will be involved with outreach and engagement at various spring volunteer events and associated stewardship activities such as bare root planting, harvesting of medicinal plants and trash removal. The member will help guide or aid volunteers participating in activities at the site. One event that the member will be required to participate in is the Wakan Tipi Center Grand Opening in May. This event will entail various engagement and stewardship activities listed above. The member will either lead or help lead a designated activity for the day. To prepare for this event, the member will help the Land and Environment team maintain trail and outdoor classroom spaces for participants prior to the Grand Opening.

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:

• • Invasive species management and removal
  • Stewardship activities
  • Outreach and engagement
  • Trail maintenance
  • Harvesting using Indigenous harvesting practices and native planting
• 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, 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-Friday, 8 hour day including a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours. Some weekend and evening hours may be required.

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

Qualifications

• 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
• INCLUDE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AS APPLICABLE BY POSITION:
• 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 outdoors in all weather conditions
• 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 GE

Preferred Qualifications:

• Plant Identification
• Invasive Species ID/Management
• Outreach and Engagement Skills

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.