Clean Water Corpsmember - Virginia, MN
Location: North Saint Louis SWCD in Virginia, MN
Dates: September 5- December 14, 2023
Service Term: 450 hour AmeriCorps position
The AmeriCorps Clean Water Corpsmembers serve alongside a natural resource professional in a Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), learning hands-on skills in managing soil and water resources. Corpsmembers assist with service and groundwater monitoring programs, wetland and watercourse inventories and assessments; prepare documents for cost-share and easement programs; conduct field surveys and site inspections and prepare reports; and coordinate and conduct educational programs and activities. Corpsmembers may also communicate with local landowners to develop management plans, gather input on best practices and provide education materials on water resources.
This is a full-time commitment for the AmeriCorps service term. The member will receive a monthly stipend and an education award upon successful completion of the term that may be used for education expenses or to repay qualified student loans. Members are directly supervised by Conservation Corps program staff and SWCD site supervisor. Members serve in a single placement setting with a partnering nonprofit/government organization. Members complete service projects with direction provided by partnering agencies and representatives of those agencies.
Benefits:
- Living Allowance: $2,076/month
- Education Award: $1,718.25 -eligible and upon successful completion of program
- Housing Reimbursement: $100/month (reimbursable upon proof of payment)
- Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
- Training, certifications, networking
Qualifications:
- Positive attitude and strong commitment to service and community work.
- Flexibility to work independently and with others in a team setting.
- Ability to work outdoors in varied terrain and all weather conditions.
- Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to educate and interact with landowners and community members.
- Familiarity with MS Office software.
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Must pass driving record and criminal history checks.
- Academic and/or field experience in natural resources preferred.
- Knowledge of GIS software and GPS use preferred.
- Farming and agricultural knowledge including tractor operation and/or trailer pulling experience is preferred.
Requirements:
- Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US.
- Must pass the National Sex Offender Public Registry and criminal history check defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the criminal history check.
- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s in the past five years).
Essential Service Functions:
- Serving in both indoor and outdoor settings
- Long days of shoveling, digging, operating equipment outdoors.
- Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds.
- Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
- Working in extremes of heat or cold