The AmeriCorps Stewardship Crew is essential to the management and restoration of Bur Oak Land Trust properties and other protected properties the land trust serves in eastern Iowa. Stewardship Crew Members will serve on a 4-member crew led by a Crew Leader to train and use a variety of land management techniques to restore native habitat and remove invasive plant species including prescribed fire, chainsaws and other tools to contribute to the overall biological health of area lands.

The service term for this position is 12 months, with a typical service schedule of 40 hours per week in the field, Monday through Friday. The position starts September 2024 and ends August 2025. The Crew Member is responsible for serving a minimum of 1,700 hours, completing required service tasks, and serving until August deadline to successfully complete their term.

Position responsibilities:

• Complete assigned task book before the end of the term. Complete basic skills first before moving on to advanced skills. Task book skills:
• Identify 5 woody invasive species, 7 less common woody invasive species and 22 common tree species in the winter
• Complete 15 field training courses: Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certifications: Iowa Core, Right-of-Way; Stop the Bleed, CPR/AED and first aid, burn first aid, Prescribed Fire (NWCG): ICS 100, IS 700, S-130, S-190, L-180, In-person Field Day. (Training in this list is optional if the member has already taken the training within 2 years or their certification (if applicable) is not expired.)
• Demonstrate 24 chainsaw operations skills
• Demonstrate 17 prescribed fire skills
• Demonstrate 2 stumping skills
• Demonstrate 4 brushcutter skills
• Demonstrate 5 pesticide skills
• Choose training track (Data Collection and Analysis, Disaster Response, Education) within the first 2 months of service and meet with site supervisor to discuss training plan
• Complete 1 capstone project aligned with training track before the end of the term
• Serve during 1 Bur Oak Land Trust free community science event
• Operate and maintain: brush saws, chainsaws, hand tools and prescribed fire equipment used to accomplish environmental restoration project tasks and training as assigned
• Operate program vehicles safely at all times and alert site supervisor of any mechanical issues or repairs
• Participate in loading and unloading of vehicles according to the appropriate checklists and carrying equipment to and from the service site

AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team:

• Participate in A-DRT training(s) as necessary to ensure knowledge and ability to respond to disasters
• Complete other training as necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training
• Ensure availability for the term of the disaster deployments, generally 2-4 weeks.  Make plans for pets, family members, other employment and responsibilities that need regular attention.

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 (no upper age limit)
• 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

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

Benefits:

• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. Education Award amount: $7,395.
• Living allowance: $1,700 per month (pre-tax)
• Health insurance
• Student loan forbearance for eligible loans

Training opportunities:

Each member will choose a training track during the term: Data collection and analysis, Naturalist, and Disaster Response. Specialized training opportunities will be available based on the track.

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.