[MAIPC] AmeriCorps Position Opening: Invasives Strike Force Crew Leader

[Linda Rohleder]

Trail Conference Conservation Corps
AmeriCorps Position Opening: Invasives Strike Force Crew Leader

Do you love the outdoors and want to protect it? Thinking about a
career in the environment? Come join the movement! The Trail
Conference Conservation Corps (TCCC) provides great opportunities for
outdoor lovers to become leaders in environmental conservation.

Spend your summer outdoors protecting natural resources, gaining
valuable experience in the field, and making a difference in
ecosystem-level conservation. The TCCC Invasives Strike Force (ISF)
crew mitigates ecological damage by employing the most effective
techniques to stop invasive plants in southern NY. Crew members spend
most of their time managing invasive plants in the field and will also
gain office experience managing data. If you want to lead a team of
peers in environmental restoration projects, network with regional
leaders in conservation, and build outdoor leadership and management
skills, becoming a leader on the Invasives Strike Force crew might be
right for you!

Program Overview:
The TCCC AmeriCorps crews are trained by industry experts in
sustainable trail building, invasive species management, public
outreach, volunteer engagement, and outdoor leadership. TCCC members
learn and serve outside of the greater NY metropolitan area in one of
the nation’s finest systems of public parks. The ISF crew implements
the regional strategy of the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional
Invasive Species Management by surveying areas for new invaders to the
region and responding quickly to priority species using best
management practices. Members work with a wide range of park partners
at multiple sites throughout southern NY and will be supported by the
Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Manager and the Director of Land
Stewardship. For more information about our Corps, visit
www.nynjtc.org/corps.

We are seeking a crew leader who shares our passion for conservation
and the outdoors to join us in controlling non-native invasive plant
species. Plant identification and management training will be
provided, however it is expected that the crew leader will have some
experience already. ISF crew members will perform both manual and
chemical treatment of invasive plants and will become NY Pesticide
Apprentices with opportunity to train and take exams for licensing.
This is primarily an outdoor position and includes periods of
multi-day camping at work sites. Office days are generally once a
week. Weekend work is required with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.

Service Location: The Lower Hudson Valley of New York

Term of Service: A minimum of 900 hour term of service May 14 through
October 26, weekend work required

Duties and Responsibilities:
* Under the direction and with support of the Terrestrial Invasive
Species Project Manager, coordinate project logistics and day-to-day
activities
* Assist with training your three crew members and volunteers on
invasive plant identification and removal techniques, as well as
informally educate the public and recruit volunteers
* Supervise, motivate, direct, and coordinate crew members and
volunteers as a team including project management, delegation of
tasks, and quality control in the field and office
* Conduct manual and chemical invasive removals and treatments in natural areas
* Conduct surveys of natural areas for targeted invasive plants,
includes use of hand-held GPS
* Learn proper techniques for pesticide application and follow all
applicable rules and regulations regarding the use of pesticides
* Keep accurate, timely, and detailed records of activities
* Collect and log data and prepare reports on work completed
* Prepare maps utilizing ArcMap and GPS data collected in the field
* Ensure safety precautions are followed, including proper use and
care of equipment
* Serve as a role model, facilitator, and educator to crew members and
volunteers
* Encourage good work ethic and set work pace
* Provide guidance and support, conflict resolution, and build crew cohesion
* Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in
the AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement

ISF Crew Leaders are NOT responsible for signing crew member
timesheets, evaluating crew member performance, disciplining crew
members, enrolling/dismissing crew members, writing and/or signing
program reports, managing the program’s payroll and budget.

Required Skills and Attributes:
* Ability to inspire, encourage, and lead the team to successful
completion of projects
* Project management and team leadership experience, preferably in an
outdoor setting
* Organized, responsible, and detail-oriented with demonstrated
ability to multitask
* Ability to maintain a positive attitude in adverse conditions and
under last-minute changes
* Professional demeanor at all times with crew members, volunteers,
and park partners
* Able to conduct physically strenuous field work, hiking up to 4
miles carrying up to 30 lbs of equipment over rugged terrain and
strenuous environmental conditions (heat, cold, rain, ticks,
mosquitos, bees, bears, snakes, spiders, etc.)
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Must hold a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
for transportation to field sites

Preferred Skills and Attributes:
* College education in ecology, biology, natural resources management
or related field
* Pesticide application experience
* Ability to identify native and invasive vegetation of the northeast
* Experience with ArcGIS software, ArcCollector, and with using
hand-held GPS units
* Demonstrated outreach skills and teaching experience
* Backpacking, camping, and/or outdoor field work experience

Member Benefits:
* Free, as needed, rustic cabin housing at a local park, on a first
come first served basis
* Bi-weekly pre-tax living allowance $13,110 total
* Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,097.50 available upon
completion of program
* Opportunity for qualified student loan deferment and interest repayment
* Eligible for SNAP (food stamp) benefits
* Mileage reimbursement
* Training in Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED and Leave No Trace Principles
* Training in environmentally friendly pesticide application with
opportunity for licensing
* Being a recognized member of an accomplished AmeriCorps Program

Enrollment Requirements:
An individual must be at least 18 years of age; have a high school
diploma or GED; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; pass a
three-part national service criminal history check of the national
sex-offender registry, state repository check, and FBI fingerprint
check; and complete all pre-service orientation and training
requirements.  Documentation of age, education and citizenship are due
by the first day of orientation. Criminal history checks will be
initiated before the start of service; an individual will be
ineligible if s/he is required to register on the National Sex
Offender Registry, has been convicted of murder, or fails to disclose
any previous conviction. Other convictions or pending charges will be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with program policy.

To Apply:
Go to https://www.nynjtc.org/content/corpsapplication
Applications accepted until positions are filled, preference given to
those received by February 17.
For questions, email Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Manager,
Ryan Goolic at rgoolic at nynjtc.org or Conservation Corps Manager, Tori
Finn at vfinn at nynjtc.org.