Virginia Service and Conservation Corps members will be based out of one of six hub parks and will travel to parks throughout their region to work on environmental stewardship projects. Virginia Service and Conservation Corps Members will serve as restoration and disaster relief team members. Crew members work on public lands in Virginia State Parks to improve and create trails as well as habitat restoration projects. Members will report to one of the following state parks: Leesylvania, Pocahontas, Hungry Mother, First Landing, or Staunton River for service projects across the region. The work will vary and typical projects include erosion control, invasive species removal, assisting with prescribed burns, marking and establishing park boundaries, and establishing vegetation-monitoring plots.
Service Activities
Corps members will assist with erosion control projects, invasive species removal, assisting with prescribed burns, marking and establishing park boundaries, and establishing vegetation-monitoring plots.
Community Need Addressed
Most people report the primary reason they visit state parks is to access the trails, so it's critical that trails remain accessible and in good repair. Significant weather events have impacted many trails throughout the state with excessive debris and erosion. There has also been a surge in invasive species on public lands that threatens the natural habitat of Virginia's flora and fauna. In addition years of reduced funding and increased usage have taken a heavy toll on the state's trails and stymied the creation of new trails in existing parks. The Virginia Service and Conservation Corps will fill a critical role by clearing debris, and building or maintaining sustainable trails.
This project will fill a critical need within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Currently, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management trains Community Emergency Response Teams with very basic skill, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, triage and first aid, disaster psychology and terrorism awareness. However, there are 21 counties within the state that do not have any trained disaster responders. In fact, much of the current effort seems to be focused on very passive public awareness campaigns. In the event of a disaster, corps members will be deployed throughout the Commonwealth and will have the training and equipment to clear debris so other emergency responders will be able to access disaster sites. Ultimately, this will allow for faster recovery, therefore reducing the tremendous economic impact that disasters have had on Virginia in the past.
Position Outcomes
Virginia Service and Conservation Corps Members will improve or create at least 500 acres of land during their 6 months of service. Members will engage volunteers in trail improvement and service days.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Crew members that successfully complete training and work capacity test will receive wildland firefighting certification.
Skills you will gain
CPR/First Aid, wildland firefighting, chainsaw use, trail building, invasive species removal, disaster response, teamwork, leadership
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
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, 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, 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 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, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment