Forestry or Trail Crew Member (Summer)

The Service Experience: 
Spend a season or more working and camping outside at some of Nevada’s premier natural areas. Serve alongside volunteers from across the country while making a lasting contribution to Nevada’s natural resources and heritage. Gain valuable field experience while working on habitat improvement, restoration, and recreation projects with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and many other federal and state agencies. Learn firsthand from federal employees and specialists about natural resource and conservation careers. Projects may include trail construction and maintenance, hazardous fuels reduction, and habitat restoration.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working outdoors in challenging conditions, have prior experience camping, and share the belief that everyone should feel safe and included in the conservation community. They will also share the mission to be a part of an affirming crew culture with members of diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds.

Training and Field Experience:
•First Aid and CPR certification
•Leave No Trace (LNT) training
•Trail construction and maintenance training for trail crews
•USFS A-Feller certification for forestry crews

Essential Duties:
•Building and maintaining trails, restoring and improving wildlife habitat, and reducing hazardous fuels in our forests and public lands;
•Camping up to seven nights in wilderness setting without formal restroom facilities or running water;
•Making a commitment of national service to our landscapes and communities;
•Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service;
•Communicating effectively with crew members, crew leaders, NCC staff and agency project staff;
•Complying with both production and quality work standards established by NCC Administration, crew supervisors and project partners;
•Contributing to basic duties at the campsite including cooking, cleaning and organizing crew equipment;
•Showing respect when interacting with other members, leaders, staff, project sponsors and community members;
•Participating in in-field education sessions;
•Percentage of time spent on: labor– 70%, traveling– 20%, hiking– 10%;
•Lifting 25lbs continuously and 50lbs occasionally.

Make sure to check the Nevada Conservation Corps overview page  here .

Special Benefits

This is an AmeriCorps position; candidates will receive a living allowance dependent on their length of service. The living allowance is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary. The allowance is paid to members in biweekly installments throughout their term of service. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service members shall receive an additional education award also dependent on the length of service that can be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

•Living Allowance: approximately $676.92 every two weeks before taxes
•Education Award: $1,678.57
•Per Diem:$7.25/day spent in the field. This is in addition to your Living Allowance and on average is $58.00 biweekly. Crews typically combine per diem funds and shop/prepare meals as a team.
•Housing Stipend: In addition to your Living Allowance and on average is $50.00 biweekly.

•Insurance:
Limited Health, Dental and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you by the Great Basin Institute.

•Student Loan Forbearance:
If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

•Interest Accrual Repayment:
As AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

•Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:
AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Nevada Conservation Corps will provide you documentation in proving that you qualify for SNAP.

•Educational Affiliation Agreements (College Credit):
The Nevada Conservation Corps will take part in Affiliation Agreements with your university in order to allow you to receive college credit hours for your term of service.

Optional Training & Education we will provide include:
• Defensive Driving Certification
• Off-Road Driving Class
• Resume Building Workshop
• Interview Skills Workshop
• Native Plant Identification
• Invasive Plant Identification
• GPS Unit Training
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Requirements

•Must maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service.
•Be able to communicate effectively with members, crew leaders, NCC staff, and project partners.
•Possess the willingness and ability to work and camp up to seven nights in a row, in a wilderness setting, in all weather conditions, without formal restroom facilities or running water.
•Be able to lift 25lbs continuously and 50lbs occasionally
•Be at least 17 years of age
•Be a US citizen
•Must possess a high school diploma or GED
•Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards).*
•All position offers are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

Why work here

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