Working Lands Climate Corps Member – Winkelman Conservation Intern

Title of Position: Working Lands Climate Corps Member – Winkelman Conservation Intern

Length: 1700 Hour AmeriCorps Term of Service; 47 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk

Service Site: 78290 E Mesquite Rd., Dudleyville, AZ  85192

Compensation: $600/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $100/week additional benefit ($700/week, pre-tax)

AmeriCorps Award: Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $6,895 (pre-tax).

Start Date: Desired – November 2024

Application Due Date: Preference given to applicants that submit application by Sept. 2024

Position Details

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to expand institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health.

Arizona Conservation Corps in partnership with Arizona Association of Conservation District will host a Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) Member. The WLCC will train the next generation of conservation leaders for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry. The WLCC is a part of the American Climate Corps (ACC), and service members will receive technical skills training, education awards, and career pathway opportunities. WLCC members will receive on-the-ground experience with partners and organizations who conduct programming to support the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry practices and systems.

The selected intern will focus on conducting outreach and community education on Climate Smart practices within the local community, enhancing visibility for the role and services provided by Conservation Districts. Climate Smart practices include crop cover and rotation, wildlife habitat planting, riparian forest buffers, forest stand improvements, and the introduction of more climate-smart commodities in the increasingly arid Southwest.

The intern’s responsibilities will include delivering classroom presentations, attending public outreach events, and assisting with newsletters. Additional projects involve collaborating with local high schools, participating in monitoring and soil surveys, identifying plant species, reporting, researching, assisting with irrigation projects, practice certification, heritage flagging, interfacing with landowners, aiding the Program Assistant, and completing other assignments.

Specific tasks include working with certified individuals and Conservation District Supervisors to implement and educate the community on Climate Smart practices. The intern will engage in forest stand improvements, maintain and create livestock and wildlife water sources, and enhance grasslands. They will also contribute to integrating Climate Smart activities and educational components at the Western Yavapai Conservation Education Center. Daily supervision will be provided by a Conservation District Supervisor.

Formal training will cover the history and culture of Conservation Districts, current programs such as Climate Smart Practices, Range Monitoring & Assessment, and Resource Rangeland Management. On-the-job training will focus on education, facilitation, public presentations, and community engagement.

Position Responsibilities will include:

• Outreach- classroom presentations, newsletter, booth events.
• Monitoring- participate in the implementation of monitoring, soil surveys, plant ID, and reporting.
• NRCS Office- Program Assistant aid, practice certification, heritage flagging, and landowner interface.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be able to serve a full-time schedule for the duration of the term.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent or agree to obtain a high school diploma prior to using the earned education award.
• Reliable transportation in the form of a personal vehicle will be necessary for this position in order to commute to service locations. The intern will be reimbursed for mileage related to work purposes.
• Must be 18 or over and have had driver’s license for at least 3 years (if under 21).
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria.

Preferred Qualifications

• Be willing and able to camp out when required.
• Ability to travel to events and other locations.
• Outreach and classroom experience.

Benefits:

• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful program completion. Value of education award is $6,895(pre-tax).
• AmeriCorps Living Stipend: $600/week (pre-tax).
• Additional Benefit: $100/week (pre-tax).
• Healthcare coverage.
• Childcare coverage (if qualified).
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments (if qualified).
• $1,500 in professional development and training funds for use during the term of service.
• $800 in supplies for use during the term of service (must be returned at end of position).
• Ability to obtain at least one recognized credential or certification during term of service.
• On-the-job training and development opportunities.

Safety and Judgment: 

Potential environmental/human risk involved includes travel, walking on uneven terrain, hiking and camping off-trail and/or on unmarked paths, slippery and/or wet conditions, and wildlife interactions while in the field.