Veterans Corps Field Crew

Position Summary: AmeriCorps Veterans Corps Field Crews serve outdoors restoring habitat, managing natural resources, and responding to natural disasters or community needs. In addition to these tasks members will work with the Veterans Corps Manager to attend sessions on transitioning to civilian life and connecting to veteran services and resources.  The Field Crew program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. Members develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects.  Members will be trained in a wide variety or skills and receive nationally recognized certifications and opportunities to network with professionals.  Natural resources projects vary by region and crew location, but may include:

• Invasive species management
• Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
• Prescribed burning
• Trail construction & maintenance
• Tree planting
• Basic carpentry
• Wild land fire suppression
• Emergency response

Crew Members develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects.

Crew Leaders typically lead a crew of 4 or 5 AmeriCorps members, serving as the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff. The Crew Leader is responsible for the crew’s service and safety during each project. 

Hours & Schedule
Schedules can vary, depending on crew location. Crew members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, including a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours. Overnight travel (4 – 12 consecutive days) is often required for service projects. Some special assignments (including wildfire response and other emergency response assignments) may require members to deploy for several weeks at a time.  

Training & Development
The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year, and additional region or project specific training throughout the service term that may include:

• Team building and conflict resolution
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Leadership
• Safety and risk management
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification training
• Chainsaw, brush saw and pole saw operations
• Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
• First Aid/CPR/AED
• Trailer operation and safety
• Invasive species management/herbicide application
• Plant identification
• Leave No Trace principles
• AmeriCorps benefits
• Veteran resources

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,400/month (member), $2,600/month (leader)
• Education Award: up to $7,395, if eligible and upon successful completion of program
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• Training, certifications, networking

Qualifications

• Honorably Served in US Military
• Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out of town assignments and emergency response
• 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
• 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 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 GED