The SCA Massachusetts Conservation Corps program members serve Massachusetts’s public lands from the Atlantic Coast to the Berkshires each summer! Enter into a team-based, outdoor service environment that tackles exciting projects across the state. By the end of the season, you'll have learned and practiced new skills on projects like new trail construction, rock steps, rock retaining walls, water bars, rustic timber bridges, box steps, trail clearing, trail repair and drainage, sign installation, and more!
Service Activities
- Attend and participate in all training events
- Serve as part of a crew to complete conservation projects around the state of Massachusetts
- Ensure project, basecamp, community, and general safety standards are upheld; full engagement is expected in all work projects and community activities.
- Interface with general public and partner organizations in a manner that reflects positively upon the crew, organization, and agency.
- Lead at least one hitch, serving as a professional liaison with park managers and SCA project leader and staff, handling the logistics of a project, meal planning, delegating responsibilities, developing emergency response plans, and completing all necessary paperwork.
- Record work totals and creating reports for submission to agency partners; this may include GPS field data collection and post-processing.
- Comply with all SCA, DCR, and AmeriCorps policies and refrain from any prohibited activities.
Community Need Addressed
Due to increased visitation of parks and public lands in Massachusetts, and the effects of increasingly severe storm damage and extreme weather events; today, more than ever, programs that protect at-risk ecosystems, increase environmental literacy, and prepare our youth to become the next generation of environmental stewards are critical to the future of our environment, workforce, and economy.
Position Outcomes
During the field season, all 22 members will be deployed on a series of 5- and 10- day hitches, in groups of 5 or 6, to various parks and public lands throughout the state where they camp and work on the land to complete critical conservation projects.
The completion of environmental stewardship projects on public lands will result in the protection of natural and recreational resources thus ensuring a sustainable long term presence of these resources for the benefit of the community.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Compensation: $100.00/week living allowance.
- Housing and Food provided for entire program.
- AmeriCorps Award (1200 hours - $4,336.50) upon successful completion of program.
- Health Insurance Option
- Member Assistance Program
- Trainings provided: Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer, Chainsaw or Rigging, Trails Work Skills Training, and SCA Leadership Development Training.
- Some camping equipment provided.
- This position is NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
Skills you will gain
Wilderness First Responder Certification
Conflict Resolution Skills
Group Decision-Making Strategies
Leadership and Active Followership
Teambuilding
Trail Construction and Maintenance
Chainsaw Certification
Rigging Training
Basic Carpentry
Leave No Trace Certification
Camp Skills
Life After AmeriCorps (career workshop)
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
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, 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, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, 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 plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, 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, 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