Individual Placement - AmeriCorps Maintenance & Fire Management at Oahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Student Conservation Association•Kahuku, HI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance & Fire Management member will assist with facility maintenance, vegetation management, wildfire prevention, and habitat restoration projects across the O'ahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This position will support refuge staff with maintaining fire breaks, mowing and brush management, invasive vegetation removal, fence and infrastructure maintenance, and habitat management activities that protect native ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk. The position will provide hands-on experience in conservation land management, wildland fire preparedness, equipment operation, and refuge operations. This position is field-intensive and requires serving outdoors in rugged conditions, often in remote areas under hot, humid, wet, dusty, and physically demanding environments. This position is part of SCA’s National Direct Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI), a partnership between SCA, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network which engages youth ages 18–24 who are disconnected from school or work in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields, while prioritizing placements for participants who meet opportunity-youth eligibility criteria.

Requirements

Interest in conservation, natural resource management, wildland fire, maintenance, and/or outdoor field work.
Ability to perform strenuous outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
Strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to learn.
Experience with hand tools, power tools, small engines, or tractor operation is desirable.
Valid driver’s license.
Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
Being at least 18 years or older;
Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete;
Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance of position, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating landscaping, agriculture, or maintenance equipment preferred.
Ability to hike long distances over rough terrain carrying equipment and supplies.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain equipment including mowers, skid steer, weed eaters, chainsaws, blowers, pumps, hand tools, and utility vehicles.
Conduct mowing and vegetation management along roads, trails, fence lines, and fire breaks to reduce wildfire fuels.
Assist with creation, maintenance, and improvement of wildfire fuel breaks and defensible space around refuge infrastructure.
Support habitat management projects including invasive plant removal, native habitat restoration, erosion control, and debris removal.
Perform general maintenance duties including fence repair, sign installation, painting, facility upkeep, and trail maintenance.
Assist with wildfire preparedness activities and emergency response operations as needed.
Conduct manual labor in steep, uneven, muddy, or heavily vegetated terrain while carrying tools and equipment.
Safely use herbicides and follow refuge safety protocols and equipment procedures.
Work effectively both independently and as part of a field crew.
Assist with loading, hauling, and transporting equipment and supplies.
Maintain accurate records of completed work, equipment use, and maintenance activities.