The Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps Program serves to improve the biodiversity of protected lands through habitat improvement and invasive species removal. Members will assist in the restoration of habitat throughout the Land of the Swamp White Oak, a project area managed The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, that includes globally rare plant communities such as channel fens and lowland oak savannas. Land Stewardship Specialists will serve on a multi-steward crew led by TNC Eastern Iowa Land Stewards. The crew will be trained in a variety of land management techniques including chainsaw operation, herbicide application, and use of other tools to improve overall habitat quality on these sites.

The service term for this position is approximately 3 months, with a typical service schedule of 32-40 hours per week in the field, Monday through Friday. The position starts May 18, 2026 and ends August 31, 2026. The Crew Member is responsible for serving a minimum of 450 hours, completing required service tasks, and serving until the August 2026 deadline to successfully complete their term. Opportunities to serve beyond August 2026 may be available for the right candidates.

Position responsibilities:

• Chainsaw operations skills including limbing, bucking, stumping, slash-cutting, and limited tree felling
• Invasive species control by mechanical means and safely applying herbicide
• Preserve monitoring by posting boundaries
• Serve as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) on prescribed fire operations including ignitions, holding, patrol and mop-up duties
• Timber stand improvement by removing diseased or undesirable trees using chainsaws
• Conduct plant and animal surveys
• Operate program vehicles safely at all times
• Maintenance of preserve infrastructure, tools and power equipment - promptly alert site supervisor of any mechanical issues or repairs
• Must be qualified, or be able to become qualified within the first 2 weeks of enrollment, as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fire line (L-180), Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), and one training burn or field day administered by qualified personnel. Includes passing physical fitness testing for Fire Fighter Type 2 or Prescribed Fire Crew Member.
• Prairie reconstruction by collecting native seeds and mowing prairie with a tractor or skid-steer
• Monitor reptile and amphibian species each week, potentially including radio-telemetry tracking of individual species in the field
• May participate in grazing management and livestock handling if time and weather allow, which includes vegetation monitoring, fence-building, removal and repair and assisting with virtual fence collar-fitting on cattle

Benefits:

• Living allowance: $5,400.00 (pre-tax).
• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.
• Education Award: $1,956.35.

AmeriCorps required qualifications:

• Must be a high school graduate or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 17 years old or older at the start of service
• Must pass a 3-part national service criminal history check
• Must have a valid driver’s license or other government issued photo identification
• Must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident

Required qualifications:

• Successfully completing physical fitness testing for FFT2

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or in pursuit of a bachelor's degree
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Ability to hike/walk up to 5 miles per day while carrying equipment
• Manual labor experience

Bur Oak Land Trust is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.