Invasives Strike Force Crew Member: AmeriCorps Position

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Do you love the outdoors and want to protect it?
Thinking about a career in the environment? Come join the movement!

The Trail Conference Conservation Corps (TCCC) provides great opportunities for outdoor lovers to become leaders in environmental conservation.

Spend your summer outdoors protecting natural resources, gaining valuable experience in the field, and making a difference in ecosystem-level conservation. The TCCC Invasives Strike Force (ISF) crew mitigates ecological damage by employing the most effective techniques to stop invasive plants in southern NY. Crew members spend most of their time managing invasive plants in the field and will also gain office experience managing data. If you want to be on a team of peers in environmental protection, network with regional leaders in conservation, build field botany and invasive species management skills, a position on the TCCC Invasives Strike Force crew might be right for you!

Program Overview:

The TCCC AmeriCorps crews are trained by industry experts in sustainable trail building, invasive species management, public outreach, volunteer engagement, and outdoor leadership. TCCC members learn and serve outside of the greater NY metropolitan area in one of the nation’s finest systems of public parks. The ISF crew surveys areas for new invaders and responds quickly to priority species using best management practices. Members work with a wide range of park partners at multiple sites throughout southern NY and will be supported by the Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Manager and the Director of Land Stewardship. For more information about our Corps, visit www.nynjtc.org/corps.

We are seeking three individuals who share our passion for conservation and the outdoors to join our ISF crew controlling non-native invasive plant species. Plant identification and eradication management will be provided (some experience is preferred). ISF crew members will perform both manual and chemical treatment of invasive plants and will become NY Pesticide Apprentices with opportunity to train and take exams for licensing. This is primarily an outdoor position and includes periods of multi-day camping at work sites. Office days are generally once a week. Weekend work is required with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.

Service Location: Lower Hudson Valley Region of New York

Term of Service: A minimum of 900 hour term of service, May 14 through October 26, weekend work required

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct manual and chemical invasive removals and treatments in natural areas
• Conduct surveys of natural areas for targeted invasive plants, includes use of hand-held GPS
• Learn proper techniques for pesticide application and follow all applicable rules and regulations regarding the use of pesticides
• Keep accurate, timely and detailed records of activities
• Collect and log data and prepare reports on work completed
• Prepare maps utilizing ArcMap and GPS data collected in the field
• Work professionally at all times with crew members, community volunteers, and park partners
• Lead and co-lead invasive species removal volunteer work days
• Assist with training volunteers on invasive plant identification and removal techniques
• Informally educate the public about invasive plants and recruit volunteers
• Properly use and care for tools and equipment and follow all safety precautions
• Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in the Member Service Agreement
  

Required Skills and Attributes:

• Able to conduct physically strenuous field work, hiking up to 4 miles carrying up to 30 lbs of equipment over rugged terrain and strenuous environmental conditions (heat, cold, rain, ticks, mosquitos, bees, bears, snakes, spiders, etc.)
• Demonstrated teamwork skills and/or experience leading volunteers
• Organized, responsible and detail-oriented
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in adverse conditions and under last-minute changes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Must have access to a reliable vehicle for transportation to field sites

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

• Pesticide application experience
• Ability to identify native and invasive vegetation of the northeast
• Experience with ArcGIS software, ArcCollector, and with using hand-held GPS units
• Demonstrated outreach skills and teaching experience
• Backpacking, camping, and/or outdoor field work experience

Member Benefits:

• Free, as needed, rustic cabin housing at a local park, on a first come first served basis
• Bi-weekly pre-tax living allowance; $11,025 total
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,097.50 available upon completion of program
• Opportunity for qualified student loan deferment and interest repayment
• Eligible for SNAP (food stamp) benefits
• Mileage reimbursement
• Training in Wilderness First Aid/CPR/AED and Leave No Trace Principles
• Training in environmentally friendly pesticide application with opportunity for licensing
• Being a recognized member of an accomplished AmeriCorps Program

Enrollment Requirements:

An individual must be at least 18 years of age; have a high school diploma or GED; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; pass a three-part national service criminal history check of the national sex-offender registry, state repository check, and FBI fingerprint check; and complete all pre-service orientation and training requirements. Documentation of age, education and citizenship are due by the first day of orientation. Criminal history checks will be initiated before the start of service; an individual will be ineligible if s/he is required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry, has been convicted of murder, or fails to disclose any previous conviction. Other convictions or pending charges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with program policy.

To Apply:

Go to www.nynjtc.org/corpsapplication

Applications accepted until positions are filled, preference given to those received by February 17 th.

For questions, email Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Manager, Ryan Goolic at rgoolic@nynjtc.org or
Conservation Corps Manager, Tori Finn at vfinn@nynjtc.org.