US Army Corps of Engineers – The Dalles Lock and Dam – Natural Resource Steward AmeriCorps Member

Northwest Youth Corps

AmeriCorps 480-Hour Individual Placement

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – The Dalles Lock and Dam; The Dalles, OR

Position Title: Natural Resource Stewardship AmeriCorps Member – 480 Hours

Grant Program: OYSI 22EDBDC0020010 / EAP 21EDBDC0010041

Position Summary:

The Dalles Lock and Dam is recruiting two (2) 480-Hour Natural Resources Steward AmeriCorps Members that could begin as early as May and go through September 2024. Exact dates of terms are negotiable. The positions will support recreation, interpretation, natural resources, and wildlife habitat management and restoration in the Mid-Columbia region near The Dalles, Oregon. As a natural resource steward, you would assist with management of natural resources at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) lands along the Columbia River between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam in both Washington and Oregon.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Major duties are related to assisting USACE staff in natural resource management and related activities at the locations described above. Specific activities include:

• 40% Wildlife Habitat and Vegetation Improvement. Includes: vegetation management projects consisting of invasive species removal and maintenance of native plants in landscaped or restored areas. May include surveys for native and imperiled species, invasive plants, shoreline birds, monarch butterflies, endangered pond turtles. On-site survey training will be provided.
• 40% Public Education and Interpretive Services. Includes greeting visitors at the Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center and conducting outreach in areas such as water safety.
• 20% Park and Recreation Site Management. May include patrolling with a uniformed ranger, collecting traffic counter data, updating bulletin boards, trail development and restoration.

Please note percentages describe the estimated time allocated to each task over the course of the AmeriCorps term.

All work under this AmeriCorps term shall be performed in accordance with EM 385-1-1, “U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual,” and FED-OSHA regulations. EM 385-1-1 can be downloaded from: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Safety-and-Occupational-Health/Safety-and-Health-Requirements-Manual/

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement (often hot, windy)
• Must be at least 18 years of age upon start date.
• Willingness to learn new skills and technology.
• Strong interest in natural resources.
• Customer service skills.
• Willingness to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30lbs (day pack, restoration supplies)
• Willingness to ride in and work from boats and kayaks.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a positive attitude.
• Knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing programs and ability to bring own computer for office work.
• Current Driver’s license and ability to report on time to the office at The Dalles Lock and Dam

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Northwest plants and/or coursework in biology and botany.

Duty Location:

Duties are performed within and along The Dalles Pool (between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam). You will report daily to The Dalles Dam natural resource office east of The Dalles, OR. Public transportation opportunities are limited, and you must arrange your own transportation to and from the office. Occasionally, this position may require use of your vehicle (miles reimbursable) during duty hours and use of your own computer for data entry and administrative tasks.

Terms of Employment:

One AmeriCorps member will complete a term of service (480-hours, 12 weeks), starting May/June through September 2024. (Dates of service are flexible to accommodate applicant availability.) The members must complete a minimum of 480 service hours by the end of their term. The members will receive a 30-minute lunch each day and this lunch break does not count towards AmeriCorps member service hours. Training will not exceed 20% of total member service hours.

Program Benefits:

$7,680 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis and upon successful completion of program requirements, an education award amount of a $1,824.07.

The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for providing their own food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal background check.