Invasives Strike Force Crew Leader: 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 lead a team of peers in environmental restoration projects, network with regional leaders in conservation, and build outdoor leadership and management skills, becoming a leader on the 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 implements the regional strategy of the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management by surveying areas for new invaders to the region and responding 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 a crew leader who shares our passion for conservation and the outdoors to join us in controlling non-native invasive plant species. Plant identification and management training will be provided, however it is expected that the crew leader will have some experience already. 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: The Lower Hudson Valley 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:

• Under the direction and with support of the Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Manager, coordinate project logistics and day-to-day activities
• Assist with training your three crew members and volunteers on invasive plant identification and removal techniques, as well as informally educate the public and recruit volunteers
• Supervise, motivate, direct, and coordinate crew members and volunteers as a team including project management, delegation of tasks, and quality control in the field and office
• 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
• Ensure safety precautions are followed, including proper use and care of equipment
• Serve as a role model, facilitator, and educator to crew members and volunteers
• Encourage good work ethic and set work pace
• Provide guidance and support, conflict resolution, and build crew cohesion
• Members may not engage in any Prohibited Activities as outlined in the AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement

ISF Crew Leaders are NOT responsible for signing crew member timesheets, evaluating crew member performance, disciplining crew members, enrolling/dismissing crew members, writing and/or signing program reports, managing the program’s payroll and budget.

Required Skills and Attributes:

• Ability to inspire, encourage, and lead the team to successful completion of projects
• Project management and team leadership experience, preferably in an outdoor setting
• Organized, responsible, and detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to multitask
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in adverse conditions and under last-minute changes
• Professional demeanor at all times with crew members, volunteers, and park partners
• 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.)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for transportation to field sites

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

• College education in ecology, biology, natural resources management or related field
• 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 $13,110 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 https://www.nynjtc.org/content/corpsapplication
Applications accepted until positions are filled, preference given to those received by February 17.

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