Conservation Technician jobs in Rochester, MN

Position: Veterans Corps Field Crew Member (AmeriCorps, ages 18 - 35)

Location: Rochester, MN
This is not a residential program; participants must secure housing preferably near the crew location

Service Term: January/February- December, 2024

Living Allowance: $2,400/month (member), $2,600/month (leader)

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:

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

No more than 20% of total service hours will be spent on training and development activities.

Benefits:

• Education Award: up to $6,895, 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 the US military
• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity, and community
• Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
• Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:
• Long (10 hour) days of shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools repetitively

Long (10 hour) days of chainsawing / brush sawingHeavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 poundsWalking and working on steep or uneven terrainWorking in extremes of heat or cold

• Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out of town assignments and emergency response
• 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.
• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $2,400.00 - $2,600.00 per month

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift

Work Location: In person