Position: Outdoor Education Crew Member/Leader (AmeriCorps, ages 18-25)

Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
This is not a residential program; participants must secure housing near the crew location.

Service Term: 1700-hour AmeriCorps position; January/February – November/December

Position Summary: Outdoor Education Crew – Outdoor Education Crew Members and Leaders operate a hybrid program with the first part of the year focused on natural resource and restoration projects in and around the Twin Cities metro area with other young adults. The second part of the year will be spent leading crews of Twin Cities’ youth participating in our Youth Outdoors program in environmental education, community service and conservation projects after school and on Saturdays.
 
Throughout the year, crews will complete projects which may include: 

• Invasive species management
• Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
• Prescribed burning
• Trail construction & maintenance
• Tree planting
• Basic carpentry

Crew Members develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects while leading youth development and environmental education projects for youth participants.

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. 

Qualifications: 

• Ability to work in an outdoor setting
• Desire to work with diverse youth in conservation, education and recreation settings
• Commitment to foster strong work habits, environmental ethics, youth leadership and team unity
• Desire to educate and inspire the next generation by leading interpretive programs
• Desire to learn skills in youth development and/or natural resource management; 15-20% of the service term is dedicated to technical and personal-skill training
• Positive attitude, interest in service and community work and desire to make a difference

Requirements:

• 18-25 years old.
• Able to perform the Essential Service Functions
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US.
• Must pass the National Sex Offender Public Registry and criminal history check. 
• Flexible schedule to accommodate after-school and weekend hours, as well as possible week-long out-of-town projects and emergency response.

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 
• Youth Development training  
• Diversity, equity and inclusion 
• 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. 

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,200/month (member) $2,300/month (leader)
• Education Award: $6,895, if eligible and upon successful completion of program
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• Training, certifications, networking

Other Information
Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Questions?
Contact our recruitment team at recruit@conservationcorps.org