Description
As a full-time National Service Volunteer in our 42-Member Emergency Response Team (ERT), you’ll gain experience and training in the fields of environmental stewardship, wildland fire, and disaster response over the course of an 11-month term. The ERT is a multi-functional rapid deployment group, based out of St. Louis, Missouri, that has been called on throughout the country to respond to floods, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. When not responding to disasters, the ERT functions as a conservation corps that assists partner organizations with vital natural resource management and restoration projects, including trail building and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and prescribed burning. The service term normally operates from September through August, with ACSTL operating as many as eight crews at a time throughout Missouri, Illinois, and/or on disaster deployment. Teams complete projects in partnership with non-profit, local, state, and federal agencies. No prior experience is necessary, and all experience is welcome.
ACSTL provides a challenging and fun opportunity to explore the conservation, fire, and disaster fields; serve the environment and local/state/national community; meet people from different backgrounds; enjoy an outdoor office; earn money for education; and be a part of a supportive, welcoming community.
"The service teaches you a lot and shows you how many opportunities there are in the three different focus areas. The community here is very strong and supportive and encourages everyone to learn and grow both individually and as a team member." - Current ERT Member
Please visit our website for a full position description (www.acstl.org).
NOTE: You must submit a specific application via our website or through the AmeriCorps job portal in order to be considered for the program. Applying through ServiceYear.org is not sufficient.
As a full-time National Service Volunteer in our 42-Member Emergency Response Team (ERT), you’ll gain experience and training in the fields of environmental stewardship, wildland fire, and disaster response over the course of an 11-month term. The ERT is a multi-functional rapid deployment group, based out of St. Louis, Missouri, that has been called on throughout the country to respond to floods, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. When not responding to disasters, the ERT functions as a conservation corps that assists partner organizations with vital natural resource management and restoration projects, including trail building and maintenance, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and prescribed burning. The service term normally operates from September through August, with ACSTL operating as many as eight crews at a time throughout Missouri, Illinois, and/or on disaster deployment. Teams complete projects in partnership with non-profit, local, state, and federal agencies. No prior experience is necessary, and all experience is welcome.
ACSTL provides a challenging and fun opportunity to explore the conservation, fire, and disaster fields; serve the environment and local/state/national community; meet people from different backgrounds; enjoy an outdoor office; earn money for education; and be a part of a supportive, welcoming community.
"The service teaches you a lot and shows you how many opportunities there are in the three different focus areas. The community here is very strong and supportive and encourages everyone to learn and grow both individually and as a team member." - Current ERT Member
Please visit our website for a full position description (www.acstl.org).
NOTE: You must submit a specific application via our website or through the AmeriCorps job portal in order to be considered for the program. Applying through ServiceYear.org is not sufficient.
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Living Allowance
$1800
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$1800 monthly
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Student loan forbearance, Training
Additional Benefits
Small food budget while out on service projects; Free mental health support options; 2-week winter break and 6 national holidays; 6 Personal Vacation Days and 5 Sick/Mental Health Days; Access to gear discounts, free tax services, and other financial benefits;
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS: All Members receive extensive trainings and certifications throughout their term in the areas of emergency response, environmental stewardship, and wildland firefighting. Some of these trainings include team building and leadership skills, chainsaw and other power equipment operations, wildfire and prescribed burn operations, hand tool use and maintenance, risk management approaches, introduction to disaster services, Incident Command System (IS 100, 200, 700, 800), supporting people in crisis, emergency communications, and basic First Aid/CPR.
As long as training opportunities and partner availability permits, Members will have the opportunity to achieve their S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw certification and become Red Card certified as a Type II Wildland Firefighter through the U.S. Forest Service.
As the term of service progresses, there will be further opportunities for development. One of these avenues is the chance to learn how to lead teams on stewardship projects through the Assistant-Team-Lead-in-Training process: dedicated weeks of shadowing, coaching, and mentorship with second-year Team Leads at your own pace to give you support and get you comfortable with leading a team of your peers. It is a collaborative experience with Team Leads to support the background, scheduling, communicating, management and facilitation of success for all things project related.
Education Requirements
GED
Desired Certifications or Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
- At least 18 years old by the program start date
- Have at least a high school diploma or GED
- Must pass National Service criminal history checks, at no cost to the applicant
Fitness Requirement: Members must maintain a high level of physical fitness during their 11-month term of service. A position with ERT requires extensive walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, pushing, stooping, standing, carrying loads of up to 50 lbs, handling hand and power tools, and other physical labor for extended periods of time. Members will serve primarily outdoors, in all kinds of weather (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc). Should accommodations be needed, you will be asked to submit a letter showing you are medically cleared to serve safely with ACSTL. This letter should state recommended accommodations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Open to Learning: Applicants do not need any prior experience. Successful ERT Members are willing to learn new skills and have the ability to function as supportive and dependable teammates, even in times of extreme stress and adversity.
Flexible: Members should be flexible, open-minded, and prepared for a variety of unexpected experiences throughout their term of service. An interest in the outdoors, traveling and adventure is desired as Members spend most of their time out of town, living communally in rustic conditions. We are technically always on call for a disaster, and Members must be ready to change plans at the very last minute in order to respond. You will spend much of your service term with plans changing from week to week or even day to day.
Diverse: Studies have shown that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, and other marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding a diverse corps of people from different backgrounds. People with less traditional experiences are highly encouraged to apply.
Committed: It is important to note the commitment that is required to be a Member here. We invest heavily in the development and training of our Members and aim to foster a mutual respect with the program, encouraging Members to help us improve as an organization and to consider serving for more than one term.
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Uniforms provided and required
Subject to criminal background check