Field Crew Leader

Conservation Corps; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Gear lending library

Employee Assistance Program

Childcare assistance

Housing near crew location

Public Service Loan Forgiveness access

Job summary

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is seeking an AmeriCorps Field Crew Leader to guide outdoor habitat restoration and natural resource projects across the Midwest. You will lead a crew, ensure safety and quality, and coordinate with project hosts to deliver meaningful conservation work.

This AmeriCorps position offers hands-on training, skills development, and potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness while serving 1700 hours from January to December 2027.

Qualifications

• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED.
• US Citizenship, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident status.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work in outdoor field conditions.

Responsibilities

• Complete natural resources service projects safely and efficiently.
• Abide by safety regulations and OSHA requirements; report concerns.
• Lead a crew of AmeriCorps members and organize daily operations.
• Ensure crew safety and training; promote a positive service ethic.
• Prepare timecards and required reports promptly.

Skills

Leadership

Outdoor work

Teamwork

Stamina

Education

High school degree or GED

Job description

# Crew Leader## OverviewSalary Range$2,500.00 - $2,500.00 Salary/month## Description**Position:** Field Crew Leader (AmeriCorps, ages 18-30; 35 for Veterans)**Location:** Various, in Minnesota and Iowa *This is not a residential program; participants must secure housing preferably near the crew location***Service Term and Education Award Amounts:**1700 Hours (Jan-Dec 2027)Education Award: $7,395**Benefits:*** Living Allowance: $2,500**/**month pre tax* Training, certifications, networking* Access to gear lending library* Access to Employee Assistance Program* Health insurance* Childcare assistance* Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)* Service term eligible to count towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness program**Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI)** is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee that engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters. **Our mission** is to cultivate a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet. Learn more at conservationcorps.org.**Position Summary:** AmeriCorps Field Crews serve outdoors restoring habitat, managing natural resources, and occasionally responding to natural disasters or community needs. The Field Crew program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. Members develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects. Natural resources projects vary by region and crew location, but may include:* Invasive species management* Stream bank stabilization, erosion control* Prescribed burning* Trail construction & maintenance* Tree planting* Basic carpentry* Wild land fire suppression* Emergency responseProjects are in partnership with public land management agencies such as the State Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, cities, counties, and trail associations. Projects are physically challenging and team-oriented and may occur throughout the Midwest, including urban and wilderness settings. Depending on crew location and project requests, up to 90% of projects may be out-of-town assignments, requiring camping for 4 – 12 consecutive days. Crews are led by AmeriCorps Crew Leaders and supervised by two Regional Managers.The Crew Leader position is integral to the AmeriCorps field program’s goal of accomplishing environmental service projects by providing training, education, coordination, and leadership to ensure a positive and safe experience for AmeriCorps Crew Members. Project sites may vary throughout the Midwest, including urban settings and wilderness. Service is generally performed exclusively outdoors and may involve camping for several days at a time. Crews complete natural resource conservation projects such as exotic species management, herbicide application, stream bank stabilization and erosion control, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, trail construction & maintenance, tree planting, basic carpentry, wild land fire suppression and emergency response in partnership with public land management agencies such as the DNR, USFWS, NPS, SWCDs, etc. The AmeriCorps Crew Leader typically leads a crew of 4 or 5 AmeriCorps members, serving as the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff. The Crew Leader is responsible for the crew’s service and safety during each project. The Crew Leader and Crew Members are supervised by two Regional Managers.**Role Clarification:**This is an AmeriCorps member level position, NOT a staff member. While serving in this AmeriCorps position, members need to abide by the below restrictions:* Members may NOT sign/approve official documents such as AmeriCorps paperwork, other member‘s timecards, performance evaluations, disciplinary contracts, project contracts or any similar documents.* Members may NOT be directly involved in project acquisition or contracting.* Members may NOT discipline other AmeriCorps members. While they may provide guidance, facilitate crew meetings, motivate, reward and uphold safety policies on the service site, all policy violations and disciplinary action must be directed to and handled by Corps staff**.****Duties & Responsibilities*** Complete natural resources service projects in cooperation with fellow members safely, effectively and efficiently and to the satisfaction and specifications of the project host* Abide by Corps program safety regulations as well as applicable federal/state/municipal law and OSHA requirements; communicate any safety concerns and incidents* Commit to completing the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement* Commitment to upholding the Corps mission* Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in public* Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in timely manner* Be responsible for crew safety and training in order to promote a safe service ethic and prevent accidents and injuries.* Organize daily operations so that efficient, high-quality standards are assured.* Provide crew leadership in such a manner that members are treated fairly, learn service and life skills, and perform efficiently.**Hours & Schedule**Schedules can vary, depending on location and position. Members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week.A typical schedule is Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, including a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours.For crews that travel- Overnight travel (4 – 12 consecutive days) is often required for service projects. Some special assignments (including wildfire response and other emergency response assignments) may require members to deploy for several weeks at a time. **Training & Development**The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year. Additional region or project specific training may be included throughout the service term depending on project need, length of term and other factors. Examples of potential trainings include:* Team building and conflict resolution* Leadership* Safety and risk management* Power and hand tool safety and maintenance* S130 & S190 Firefighter training and red card certification training* First Aid/CPR/AED* MN Safety Council defensive driving* Trailer operation and safety* Invasive species management/herbicide application* Plant identification* Leave No Trace principles* AmeriCorps benefits**Qualifications*** Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs* Commitment to upholding the CCMI mission* Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service* Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:* + Long (8-12 hour) days engaging in physically demanding work using various hand and power tools + Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds + Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain + Working in all weather conditions* Based on location/project, some members may be required to pass the arduous Work Capacity Test.* Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US* Must pass a criminal history check consisting of a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing the criminal history check is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the state or FBI checks.* High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED* Iowa locations: Must possess or be able to acquire an Iowa Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Corps will provide training and support to obtain license (Dependent on length of position and specific crew expectations)* Minnesota locations: Must possess or be able to acquire a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Corps will provide training and support to obtain license. (Dependent on length of position and specific crew expectations)**Preferred Qualification*** Experience/education in natural resource management, habitat restoration work and/or related fields.**Other Information**Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone. Thisprogram is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-30, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.