The Nevada Conservation Corps's Leadership Development Program aims to prepare individuals to lead groups of Americorps volunteers in an outdoor setting on various environmental stewardship projects throughout the state. During your tenure as a member of the program, you will receive leadership development training and technical skills training in forestry, trails and restoration, spend extended periods of time camping in the field with fellow crew leader candidates, and take turns acting as the lead on service projects that are meant to prepare you for the challenges of leading a crew. Upon successful completion, you will be assigned a summer project and crew.
Service Activities
-Exemplify strong work ethic, professionalism, and sound judgment
-Lead young adults on a variety of challenging conservation projects
-Understand and abide by all NCC policies and procedures; ensure all safety protocols followed
-Maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times; be able to boost crew morale
-Effectively communicate with NCC staff, partnering agencies, peers, and crew members
-Coordinate project logistics with agency partners, Crew Coordinator, and peers
-Work alongside members to complete project goals
-Provide clear and consistent feedback to crew members
-Teach, instruct and support members in trail building, and other project/NCC specific tasks
-Engage members in an active crew life
-Facilitate weekly crew meetings and debriefs
-Transport crew and equipment safely in NCC trucks
-Manage and maintain crew gear, tools and other various NCC/agency equipment
-Complete weekly reporting of accomplishments
-Uphold NCC and AmeriCorps standards of work production and quality
-Support and manage crew meal planning
Community Need Addressed
Improved public lands in both recreational and conservation fields.
Position Outcomes
Various environmental stewardship projects resulting in improved public lands including:
-hazardous fuel load reduction
-forest thinning
- trail construction/ maintenance
- sage grouse habitat restoration
Benefits
College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Insurance:
Limited Health, Dental and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you by the Great Basin Institute and available starting your first day of service.
Loan Forbearance:
If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.
Interest Accrual Repayment:
As AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:
AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Nevada Conservation Corps will provide you documentation in proving that you qualify for SNAP.
Educational Affiliation Agreements (College Credit):
The Nevada Conservation Corps will take part in Affiliation Agreements with your university in order to allow you to receive college credit hours for your term of service.
Education Benefits
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Wilderness First Aid certification
• Leave No Trace trainer certiifcation
• USFS S212 Faller A Chainsaw Training
• Trail Construction and Maintenance Training
• Defensive Driving Certification
• Off-Road Driving Class
• Resume Building Workshop
• Interview Skills Workshop
• Native Plant Identification
• Invasive Plant Identification
• GPS Unit Training
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment