Summer Youth Corps Field Specialist

Job Details

Job Location: ST PAUL, MN

Salary Range: $2,450.00 - $2,450.00 Salary/month

Description

Position: SYC Field Specialist (AmeriCorps, Ages 19-30)

Location: Various - This is a residential program based out of Saint Paul, MN with travel required throughout Minnesota and surrounding states to complete projects. Vehicles for transportation and lodging (campsite accommodations) are provided for the duration of the program.

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $2,450/month pre tax
• Education Award: $2,817.14
• 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 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.

Our values embody safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership. In working toward our vision, we believe that it is important we commit to the following:

• Using equity as a lens for the work we do and decisions we make
• Building a shared vision surrounding Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals with our partnering organizations and communities, and
• Providing an equitable training environment and high-quality programming to all our participants.

Position Summary: Summer Youth Corps Field Specialist will add value to the community, environment, and youth participants through their dedicated service. Field Specialists will work closely with Crew Leaders to motivate and supervise a crew of youth ages 15-18 in a rigorous program focused on job skills training, environmental education, and conservation projects. Each crew consists of 6-8 youth members and is co-led by 2-3 AmeriCorps members (Crew Leaders and Field Specialists). Field Specialists hold similar responsibilities as a SYC Crew Leader with the additional expectation of specialized skills pertaining to their specific crew type. SYC has two Field Specialist types: the American Sign Language Field Specialist and the Backcountry Wilderness Field Specialist.

The American Sign Language Field Specialist will lead crews of youth who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary communication method. Proficiency in ASL is a requirement for this position. The ASL Field Specialist position is a great opportunity for native signers to share their language, culture, and experience with others. The ASL Field Specialist position is also a great opportunity for student/emerging Sign Language Interpreters to gain valuable experience and establish connections across the community.

The Backcountry Wilderness Field Specialist will lead crews of second-year youth on a project located in a remote backcountry setting. The Backcountry Wilderness Crew (BWC) will have limited access to cell service, running water, and bathroom facilities. In some cases, the BWC will be located on a remote Island and the BWC Specialist should have the skills necessary to plan several weeks of backcountry meals and be well versed in wilderness etiquette such as Leave No Trace principles.

While in the field, crews will be camping in tents near project sites, preparing their own meals, and completing work projects. AmeriCorps members will work together to demonstrate collaborative leadership for the crew, ensure safety procedures are followed, communicate with project partners, and manage conflict and behavioral issues on their crew.  

Summer Youth Corps is dedicated to accessibility for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and all AmeriCorps members are expected to engage in American Sign Language lessons and games throughout training and encourage their crews to practice their ASL skills throughout the summer.

Projects 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 may include but are not limited to introduced species management, trail construction & maintenance, erosion control, rain garden construction, tree planting, basic carpentry, and plant surveying. Projects are physically challenging and team-oriented and occur across MN and neighboring states, including urban and wilderness settings.

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 conservation projects in cooperation with fellow crew leader and crew members safely, effectively, and efficiently and to the satisfaction and specifications of the project host
• Engage youth crew members in one hour of education activities daily on topics including STEM, equity, and professional development
• Mentor youth members to grow professionally and personally by providing regular feedback and behavior management as needed
• Model positive conflict resolution methods for youth crew members and mediate crew conflicts
• Abide by Corps program safety regulations as well as applicable federal/state/municipal law and OSHA requirements; communicate any safety concerns and incidents
• Contribute actively to the team to complete projects, demonstrating a commitment to the Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership
• Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, and interest in community service
• Commit to completing the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement
• Complete paperwork including daily surveys of accomplished work, vehicle inspections, and evaluations in timely manner

Hours & Schedule

Daily schedules can vary, depending on crew location. Crew members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM, including a mandatory 30-minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours, and an additional hour of facilitating education activities for youth in the evening. Crews typically camp near their project sites for a week, then do crew chores including laundry, grocery shopping, phone calls home, and travel to a new project location on Sundays.

All members will have time off 6/15 – 6/21.  

Training & Development

The Corps provides a three-week 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: 

• Youth Development
• Introduction to American Sign Language
• AmeriCorps benefits
• Team building and conflict resolution
• Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Leadership
• Safety and risk management
• MN Safety Council defensive driving
• Hand tool safety and maintenance
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR
• Psychological First Aid
• Introduced species management
• Environmental Hazards

Qualifications

• Ability and desire to work well with a co-leader(s) and youth team outside in all weather conditions
• Ability to foster strong work habits, environmental ethics, youth leadership, and team unity with youth from diverse backgrounds who may be experiencing a job and/or camping for the first time
• Ability to respond quickly and responsibly in emergency situations to prioritize youth safety
• Given the residential nature of our program, crew leaders must be willing to work long hours, continuing to supervise youth after the project day has ended, with limited time off. Must be willing to live in tents and in a variety of locations throughout the summer.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs.
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community and leadership.
• Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:
  • Long (7-8 hour) 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 outdoors in all weather conditions
• 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
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s in the past five years) as crew leaders drive 12 passenger vans to transport crew

Other Information

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone. Conservation Corps does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, military service, union membership, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status with regards to public assistance, genetic information 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.

Women, minorities, Deaf/Hard-of-hearing and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.