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

[Linda Rohleder]

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

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 be on a team of
peers in environmental protection, network with regional leaders in
conservation, build field botany and invasive species management
skills, a position on the TCCC 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 surveys
areas for new invaders and responds 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 three individuals who share our passion for
conservation and the outdoors to join our ISF crew controlling
non-native invasive plant species. Plant identification and
eradication management will be provided (some experience is
preferred). 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: Lower Hudson Valley Region 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:
* 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
* Work professionally at all times with crew members, community
volunteers, and park partners
* Lead and co-lead invasive species removal volunteer work days
* Assist with training volunteers on invasive plant identification and
removal techniques
* Informally educate the public about invasive plants and recruit volunteers
* Properly use and care for tools and equipment and follow all safety
precautions
* Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in
the Member Service Agreement

Required Skills and Attributes:
* 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.)
* Demonstrated teamwork skills and/or experience leading volunteers
* Organized, responsible and detail-oriented
* Ability to maintain a positive attitude in adverse conditions and
under last-minute changes
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license
* Must have access to a reliable vehicle for transportation to field sites

Preferred Skills and Attributes:
* 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; $11,025 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 www.nynjtc.org/corpsapplication

Applications accepted until positions are filled, preference given to
those received by February 17th.
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.