Corps Member 2018 (Sept-Dec)
About EarthCorps
EarthCorps is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization working to build a global community of leaders through local environmental service. In our Corps Program, we unite young adults (age 18-26) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in community building, habitat restoration, and leadership. EarthCorps program participants are part of a diverse group of emerging environmental leaders committed to teamwork, service, and personal growth.Position Summary
Corps Members are the ones out in the field every day working on teams and doing the physical service necessary to restore green spaces across the Puget Sound region.Corps Members are committed to service, tackling hands-on projects in the field of habitat restoration and conservation. This term of service is offered through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.
This particular Corps Member position is a quarter-term AmeriCorps position, with a minimum 450-hour commitment. Upon joining the Corps, these members will be placed on an existing field crew, made of currently-serving AmeriCorps members and international exchange visitors. This crew will serve together to restore habitat in the Puget Sound region from September through the end of the program in December.
Duties & Responsibilities
FIELD SERVICE (80% of program)
Corps members work on a crew of 5-7 young adults performing environmental restoration. A crew leader guides the crew as they complete restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings).
Project Implementation: Corps members are responsible for the efficiency of accomplishing projects and the quality of the final product under supervision from project staff. Corps members and staff are responsible for the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, and members of the public who may be involved with projects.
Field Service Projects (and their typical percentage of the program)*:
*This breakdown reflects the typical percentages of work over the course of a full AmeriCorps term. This quarter-term position will serve during a season that usually involves more native plant installation and fewer camping projects.
Environmental restoration is physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. New members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. Service regularly involves:
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS (20% of program)
Corps members participate fully in retreats, workshops, and field trainings. These sessions provide skills and context for the restoration work that corps members complete. Topics covered include basic botany and ecology of the Pacific Northwest, environmental restoration theories and concepts, topics in natural resource management and global environmental issues, leadership skills, and interpersonal and cross-cultural communication.
The workshops occurring from September – December are scheduled to be:
Habitat Restoration:
Corps members work on a crew of 5-7 young adults performing environmental restoration. A crew leader guides the crew as they complete restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings).
Project Implementation: Corps members are responsible for the efficiency of accomplishing projects and the quality of the final product under supervision from project staff. Corps members and staff are responsible for the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, and members of the public who may be involved with projects.
Field Service Projects (and their typical percentage of the program)*:
- Invasive plant removal (manual) 35%
- Invasive plant control (herbicide) 10%
- Native plant installation (planting) 15%
- Restoration site maintenance 15%
- Trail construction/maintenance 15%
- Volunteer management 8%
- Erosion control 2%
*This breakdown reflects the typical percentages of work over the course of a full AmeriCorps term. This quarter-term position will serve during a season that usually involves more native plant installation and fewer camping projects.
Environmental restoration is physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. New members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. Service regularly involves:
- Long days of repetitively swinging heavy tools, shoveling, and digging.
- Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. and bending,
- Working, eating, and sometimes camping in the outdoors in all weather conditions
- Walking on steep or uneven terrain up to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weight
- Working in extremes of heat or cold
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS (20% of program)
Corps members participate fully in retreats, workshops, and field trainings. These sessions provide skills and context for the restoration work that corps members complete. Topics covered include basic botany and ecology of the Pacific Northwest, environmental restoration theories and concepts, topics in natural resource management and global environmental issues, leadership skills, and interpersonal and cross-cultural communication.
The workshops occurring from September – December are scheduled to be:
Habitat Restoration:
- A series of workshop days dedicated to assessing and planning for restoration on a sample site
- Gender inclusion and diversity
- Non-profit leadership
-Pacific Northwest Natural History
-Ecological Restoration Overview
- Watershed and Vegetation Management
-Volunteer Event Management
-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
-Cross-Cultural Communication
-Safety: Field Health & Safety, Risk Mgmt., Site Safety, First Aid, CPR, Driving
-Leadership Skills & Practices
-Performance Evaluations
Required Qualifications
- Ability and desire to work hard, outdoors and in all weather conditions
- Commitment to cooperation and teamwork with peers from around the world
- Eligibility for AmeriCorps and ability to complete term of service
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (22.5 kg); Hike up to 8 miles (13 km) while carrying 40 pounds (18kg) of weight for up to 9 hours per day
- Completed high school diploma/GED
Desired Qualifications
- 18+ years old
- Experience in outdoor field work or physical labor
- Commitment to community service and previous experience in volunteer service
- Enthusiasm for environmental conservation, science, recreation, or other related fields
- Capacity to learn and grow in a service-based training position
Corps Member Terms of Service
- STATUS: Temporary, Exempt – Enrolled in AmeriCorps through CNCS
- AmeriCorps members must abide by policies set by CNCS and complete 450 hours of service, including mandatory trainings
- PERIOD OF SERVICE: September – December 13, 2018
- RATE OF PAY: Living stipend of $1,385/month
- TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Crews serve Monday – Friday, with occasional Saturdays mandatory. Roughly, every other weekend is a 3-day weekend.
- Overnight retreats and education sessions must be attended to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements
Benefits
- AmeriCorps education award of approx. $1,550 upon completion of term (minimum 450 hours)
- 1 personal day per quarter permissible as designated by EarthCorps
- Holidays will be paid as designated by EarthCorps
- Medical Insurance
- Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation
- Education & Training
- Boots, pants, t-shirt, rain gear and safety equipment provided
Deadlines and Start Dates
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. This position is open until filled. Submit applications ASAP.Priority Consideration Deadline: July 31, 2018