Position: Parks and Trails Technical Support Specialist (AmeriCorps, ages 18-30)

Location: Saint Paul, MN

    This is not a residential program; participants must secure housing preferably near the crew location

Service Term and Education Award Amounts:

1700 Hours

$7,395.00

*Members are eligible for an education award up to the amount listed by enrollment type.

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,500/month pre tax
• Training, certifications, networking
• Access to gear lending library
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Service term eligible to count towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee that engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters. Our mission is to cultivate a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet. Learn more at conservationcorps.org.

Our values embody safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership. In working toward our vision, we believe that it is important we commit to the following:

• Using equity as a lens for the work we do and decisions we make
• Building a shared vision surrounding Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals with our partnering organizations and communities, and
• Providing an equitable training environment and high-quality programming to all our participants.

Position Summary: Parks and Trails Technical Support Specialists serve alongside natural resource professionals in partnership with agencies such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Parks and Trails Technical Support Specialists learn hands-on skills in utilizing current technology and tools to identify and map park-and-trail features and assets, develop outreach and community initiatives for outdoor recreation and to develop ways to protect and monitor species people may encounter in parks and trails environments.  The Individual Placements program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. Specialists develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects.  

Specialists are directly supervised by Conservation Corps Program staff and partner site supervisor. Members complete service projects with direction provided by partnering agencies and representatives of those agencies.

Off-Highway Vehicle Specialist

Crew Location (City): Saint Paul, MN

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Term Length: 1700 hours, February – December, 2026

Description of Anticipated Projects:

The purpose of this position is to strategize, support, and implement ways to strengthen the 1,000 miles of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) that the DNR oversees.

Utility Mapping Specialist – 2 positions

Crew Location (City): St. Paul, MN

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Term Length: 1700 hours, February – December, 2026

Description of Anticipated Projects:

This purpose of this position is to implement a new GIS based utility mapping project. Activities include using GPS and GIS for field-collection at State Parks throughout the state, database, and in-office archival record work.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete service projects to the best of their ability, serving safely, effectively and efficiently to ensure projects are completed to the satisfaction of project hosts and the community
• Abide by Corps program safety regulations as well as applicable federal/state/municipal law and OSHA requirements; communicate any safety concerns and incidents.
• Contribute actively to the team to complete projects, demonstrating a commitment to the Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
• Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in public
• Commit to completing the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement
• Specific projects depend on the site assignment but may include:

• • Design and/or update parks and trails maps for various user groups
  • Data collection-- includes interpreting aerial imagery or field data to support program initiatives.
  • Field work to collect data including overnight travel and off-road travel within parks and trails contexts.
  • Outreach activities including developing outreach materials and media, staffing event and activity booths, and engaging directly with members of the public in parks and recreation contexts.
  • Work with partners and stakeholders to plan, develop, present, and evaluate existing information.
  • Assistance with the design, layout, editing, production printing, posting of plans online, and final distribution of plans, maps, and supporting technical materials.
  • Assisting with preparation of briefing documents and presentations
  • Document technical project information, applications, and IT approaches for project continuity and expertise transfer
  • Attend scheduled meetings, orientations and workshops, including required Conservation Corps AmeriCorps training sessions and site visits
  • Develop and implement an annual work plan that provides timelines and balance to the priorities of the various projects listed above. Utilize a work plan tracking document provided by the Corps to track work accomplishments and reprioritize on a regular basis.
• Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in a timely manner

Hours & Schedule

Schedules can vary, including in-person and hybrid options depending on their site and position. Members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, including a mandatory 30-minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours.

Training & Development

The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year. Additional region or project specific training may be included throughout the service term depending on project need, length of term and other factors. Examples of potential trainings include:  

• Team building and conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Safety and risk management
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• First Aid/CPR/AED
• AmeriCorps benefits

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to educate and interact with landowners and community members
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and weather conditions
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
• Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US
• 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
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s in the past five years)

Preferred Qualifications

• GIS experience in ArcPro, ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS online.
• Experience and technical skills in using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
• Familiarity with MS Office software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of conditions

Other Information

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone. Conservation Corps does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, military service, union membership, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status with regards to public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-30, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.