AmeriCorps Field Crew Member - Bur Oak Land Trust

Please submit both a resume and a cover letter for consideration. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

The AmeriCorps Stewardship Crew is essential to the management and restoration of Bur Oak Land Trust properties and other protected nature preserves on which the land trust serves in eastern Iowa. Field Crew Members will serve on a 4-person crew led by a Crew Leader to restore native habitat and remove invasive plant species. The crew will be trained in a variety of land management techniques including prescribed fire, chainsaw operation, herbicide application, and use of other tools to improve overall habitat quality on these sites.

The position starts January 11, 2027 and ends in December 20, 2027. The position is based out of Iowa City, IA with regular travel within Johnson, Muscatine, Poweshiek, and other surrounding counties. The service term for this position is 12 months, with a typical service schedule of 40 hours per week in the field, Monday through Friday (i.e. 8am-4pm). During summer months (May-August), member may be required to serve 40 hours Monday-Thursday (7am-5pm).

The Crew Member is responsible for serving a minimum of 1,700 hours, completing required service tasks, and serving until the December 2027 deadline to successfully complete their term.

Position responsibilities:

• Complete an assigned task book before the end of the term. Task book skills will include:
• Chainsaw operations skills including limbing, bucking, stumping, slash-cutting, and limited tree felling
• Safe use of herbicide through cut-stump, basal bark, or foliar spray methods
• Prescribed fire skills including ignition, suppression, and mop-up assignments
• Use of a variety of other power and hand tools, including brushcutters, brush mowers, weed whips, leaf blowers, augers, and others
• Cleaning and maintaining various equipment used to accomplish project tasks as assigned. Promptly alerting site supervisor of any mechanical issues or repairs.
• Operate program vehicles including work trucks, trailers, UTVs, and ATVS safely at all times.
• Plant and Tree Species Identification including, but not limited to: 5 woody invasive species, 7 less common woody invasive species, and 22 common tree species in winter form
• External Training Courses (provided during the term): Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certifications (Iowa Core & Right-of-Way), Stop the Bleed, Prescribed Fire (NWCG): ICS 100, IS 700, S-130, S-190, L-180, and In-person Field Day.

AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (optional, as opportunities arise):

• Participate in A-DRT training(s) as necessary to ensure knowledge and ability to respond to disasters
• Complete other training as necessary to support disaster deployments, including but not limited to Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), first aid, mental health first aid, and chainsaw training
• Ensure availability for the term of the disaster deployments, generally 2-4 weeks. Make plans for pets, family members, other employment and responsibilities that need regular attention.

AmeriCorps required qualifications:

• Must be a high school graduate or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 17 years old or older at the start of service
• Must pass a 3-part national service criminal history check
• Must have a valid driver’s license or other government issued photo identification
• Must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or in pursuit of a bachelor's degree
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Ability to hike/walk up to 5 miles per day while carrying equipment
• Manual labor experience

Benefits:

• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. Education Award amount: $7,395.00
• Living allowance: $1,983.00 per month (pre-tax)
• Health insurance
• Student loan forbearance for eligible loans

Bur Oak Land Trust is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Please submit both a resume and a cover letter for consideration. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $1,983.00 per month

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1,983