Position Summary: AmeriCorps Field Crews serve outdoors restoring habitat, managing natural resources, and occasionally responding to natural disasters or community needs. The Field Crew program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. 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. 

Projects are in partnership with public land management agencies such as the State Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, cities, counties, and trail associations. Projects are physically challenging and team-oriented and occur throughout the Midwest, including urban and wilderness settings. Depending on crew location, up to 90% of projects will be out-of-town assignments, requiring camping for 4 – 12 consecutive days. Crews are led by AmeriCorps Crew Leaders and supervised by 2 Regional Managers.

Locations: 

• Northern Minnesota: Duluth
• Central Minnesota: St. Paul, Hanover, Plymouth, Shakopee, Andover, Chaska
• Southern Minnesota: Rochester, Mankato
• Iowa: Des Moines, Cedar Falls
• Missouri: Round Spring

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. Overnight travel (4 – 12 consecutive days) is often required for service projects.

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
• Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
• S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification training
• First Aid and CPR
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• Trailer operation and safety
• Invasive species management/herbicide application
• Plant identification
• Leave No Trace principles
• AmeriCorps benefits

Benefits:

• Education Award: $7,395, if eligible and upon successful completion of program
• Training, certifications, networking
• Access to gear lending library
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance

Qualifications

• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions
• 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
• Iowa locations: Must possess or be able to acquire an Iowa Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Corps will provide training and support to obtain license
• Minnesota Field Crew Members may be required by project hosts to obtain a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License. Corps will provide training and support on a case-by-case basis if licensure is required.
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US
• Between 18-30 years of age 
• 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