Description
The Virginia Service and Conservation Corps will mobilize Americans who will protect at risk ecosystem and improve natural resources in Virginia State Parks and on Natural Heritage Sites. This year the VSCC will focus its efforts on enhancing acres of public lands, improving trails and waterways, and recruiting volunteers as active stewards of local parks and trails.
The Crew Members will assist in reaching these goals by focusing on enhancing acres of parks and public lands and improving trails.
The VSCC will engage 56 AmeriCorps members, 18 of which will be Crew Members, to serve between January 2019 and August 2019 in Virginia State Parks. These members will work to enhance 657 acres of parks and public land, improve 104 miles of trails or waterways, and recruit 1,120 volunteers; without the efforts of our AmeriCorps members, these goals would not be met.
Responsibilities/Duties
Crew Members will serve an average of 38 hours per week from January 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019, completing 1200 hours of service under the direct supervision of their Site Supervisor. These members will serve in teams of 3 in each of the six Virginia State Park Districts. Their role in battling invasive species will be on the front lines. They will deploy throughout their district to complete resource management projects, including prescribed burns, herbicide/pesticide application, and trail maintenance.
Duties:
• Participating in prescribed burns
• Contributing to trail improvement projects
• Submitting time sheets and monthly reports
• Engaging with park guests
• Removal of invasive species as directed
• District specific duties (including species surveys, boundary marking, boardwalk building)
• Answering questions about park facilities and programs
• Participating in all trainings assigned by AmeriCorps Program Directors and Site Supervisors
During service Crew Members will report to their Site Supervisor for daily tasks, scheduling, and direction. Members will submit time sheets and monthly reports to their AmeriCorps Program Director.
Qualifications:
• Must be at least 17 years old
• Must be a U.S. Citizens
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must commit to serve 1200 hours between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2019
• Able to work long hours outdoors in any weather condition
• Display an interest in parks and recreation, natural resource management, or the environment
• Strong desire to work hard and make a difference
• Able to take direction, work as part of a team and individually
• Willingness to speak publicly
• Ability to pass a Wildland Firefighting Exam (includes carrying 25lbs over 2 miles in 30 minutes)
• Willingness to learn about native species, the environment, park operations
• Ability to communicate with diverse audiences verbally or in writing
• Ability to perform in a dynamic atmosphere
• Be available for occasional overnight travel
• Be available for weekend and holiday shifts as needed
Training
• 6 day AmeriCorps Onboarding training including trail building, Wilderness First Aid, AED/CPR
• Wildland Firefighter Certification
• DCR Chainsaw Apprentice Certification
• Registered Technician Applicator (Pesticide)
• Resume and Mock Interview Workshop
• Other trainings as assigned by Site Supervisor
Benefits
• $1,300.00 monthly living allowance
• $4,266.50 AmeriCorps education award after successful completion of service
• Housing provided at some sites
• Eligible for student loan forbearance
The Virginia Service and Conservation Corps will mobilize Americans who will protect at risk ecosystem and improve natural resources in Virginia State Parks and on Natural Heritage Sites. This year the VSCC will focus its efforts on enhancing acres of public lands, improving trails and waterways, and recruiting volunteers as active stewards of local parks and trails.
The Crew Members will assist in reaching these goals by focusing on enhancing acres of parks and public lands and improving trails.
The VSCC will engage 56 AmeriCorps members, 18 of which will be Crew Members, to serve between January 2019 and August 2019 in Virginia State Parks. These members will work to enhance 657 acres of parks and public land, improve 104 miles of trails or waterways, and recruit 1,120 volunteers; without the efforts of our AmeriCorps members, these goals would not be met.
Responsibilities/Duties
Crew Members will serve an average of 38 hours per week from January 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019, completing 1200 hours of service under the direct supervision of their Site Supervisor. These members will serve in teams of 3 in each of the six Virginia State Park Districts. Their role in battling invasive species will be on the front lines. They will deploy throughout their district to complete resource management projects, including prescribed burns, herbicide/pesticide application, and trail maintenance.
Duties:
• Participating in prescribed burns
• Contributing to trail improvement projects
• Submitting time sheets and monthly reports
• Engaging with park guests
• Removal of invasive species as directed
• District specific duties (including species surveys, boundary marking, boardwalk building)
• Answering questions about park facilities and programs
• Participating in all trainings assigned by AmeriCorps Program Directors and Site Supervisors
During service Crew Members will report to their Site Supervisor for daily tasks, scheduling, and direction. Members will submit time sheets and monthly reports to their AmeriCorps Program Director.
Qualifications:
• Must be at least 17 years old
• Must be a U.S. Citizens
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must commit to serve 1200 hours between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2019
• Able to work long hours outdoors in any weather condition
• Display an interest in parks and recreation, natural resource management, or the environment
• Strong desire to work hard and make a difference
• Able to take direction, work as part of a team and individually
• Willingness to speak publicly
• Ability to pass a Wildland Firefighting Exam (includes carrying 25lbs over 2 miles in 30 minutes)
• Willingness to learn about native species, the environment, park operations
• Ability to communicate with diverse audiences verbally or in writing
• Ability to perform in a dynamic atmosphere
• Be available for occasional overnight travel
• Be available for weekend and holiday shifts as needed
Training
• 6 day AmeriCorps Onboarding training including trail building, Wilderness First Aid, AED/CPR
• Wildland Firefighter Certification
• DCR Chainsaw Apprentice Certification
• Registered Technician Applicator (Pesticide)
• Resume and Mock Interview Workshop
• Other trainings as assigned by Site Supervisor
Benefits
• $1,300.00 monthly living allowance
• $4,266.50 AmeriCorps education award after successful completion of service
• Housing provided at some sites
• Eligible for student loan forbearance
Read More
Living Allowance
$1200
-
$1300 monthly
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
Credential or Certification
Education Requirements
High School Graduate
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Permits attendance at school during off hours
Uniforms provided and required
Subject to criminal background check