Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida Conservation Corps Project ANT Member 2026-2027

Project ANT members at Jonathan Dickinson State Park participate in a variety of tasks to land management in an outdoor setting:

• Non-native plant removal is the primary task, using mechanical (typically a machete) and chemical means (triclopyr ester & glyphosate application); includes maintenance of tools and facilities (50% of total work hours);
• Video describing postion, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVE9bmxO3sk
• Participation in 10 to 20 prescribed fires, including clean-up & maintenance of tools and staging of equipment after completion of a physical fitness test (walk 2 miles carrying a 25-pound weighted vest in under 30 minutes) (10 to 20%);
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection trainings, such as Basic Fire Management class (S130/S190/L180 with an NWCG certified instructor; date TBD), DEP ATV / UTV training, DEP chainsaw training; DEP trailer training; on the job chemical mixing training and DEP formal herbicide training, plant identification training (as needed), 4×4 off road vehicle training, site orientation, basic FDEP employee trainings (5-10%);
• Red cockaded woodpecker (Federally endangered birds) monitoring and associated activities (1%);
• Required to attend x3 in person, weeklong, off-site trainings / service work projects in in central and north Florida (3%) throughout the year; dates TBD;
• Quarterly water quality sampling (1%);
• Removal of exotic plants off a boat and maintenance of eelgrass fences on the National Wild & Scenic Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River and clearing downed debris along the river (1-5%);
• Filling out monthly timesheets & 4 quarterly reports (1%);
• Help maintain trails as needed (vegetation clearing & possibly helping maintain boardwalks for the public to enjoy) (1-5%);
• Help with planting of native plants such as eelgrass (aquatic); South Florida slash pine trees, bald and pond cypress, & moving, monitoring, & planting of rare species such as Tolumnia bahamensis (1-5%);
• Some projects (such as planting, trash removal, trail maintenance, and non-native plant removal) include working with small, medium, and large groups of volunteers and include talking to folks about how to effectively and safely conduct work (1%);
• Assist local college student with a research project (1%);
• Must be able to work closely with a group of 4 people (team of 3 AmeriCorps) and keep up professional relationships over the course of 11 months AND less intensely with 15 full time staff and a revolving group of 10 to 20 seasonal volunteers (100% of the time);

Compensation is $2200 / month x 11 months; shared, rustic housing with shared laundry, kitchen, & bathroom facilities are available (can be occupied August 15th; but that is negotiable); potentially eligible for SNAP benefits; Segal Education Award after completion of 1700 hours ($6,895) https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award;

• Term is tentatively set to start on Tuesday 9/1/2026 and ends 7/31/2027;
• Typical work week is Monday through Friday, 730am to 400pm; approximately 5-10 Saturdays and 1 Sunday are required to attend; Saturday 10/17/2026 and Sunday 10/18/2026 are required to be at JDSP for the park’s annual FireFest event;
• Candidate is required to complete 1700 hours of supervised service over 11 months;
• Candidates are required to communicate absences during regular work periods in a timely manner;
• State Holidays in the 2026 to 2027 term are:
  • Labor Day Monday, September 7, 2026
  • Veterans’ Day (observed) Wednesday, November 11, 2026
  • Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26, 2026
  • Friday after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27, 2026
  • Christmas Day Friday, December 25, 2026
  • New Year’s Day Friday, January 1, 2027
  • Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, January 18, 2027
  • Indpendence Day (observed), Monday, July 5, 2027
• Position is a great learning and skill building experience for folks interested in the fields of forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, endangered species management, natural resource conservation, parks and recreation management, and wildland fire;
• Position requires a High School diploma or equivalent. Hiring manager prefers an Associates or Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates must be able to work in in hot & humid environments for prolonged periods during the day and throughout the 11-month period of service.
• Official application for the position is done through AmeriCorps.gov: My AmeriCorps – Home Page