Crew Leader or Crew Member - Springfield, MO

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa • Eminence, MO

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) is recruiting AmeriCorps Field Crew Leaders and Crew Members for a 1,700-hour service term from January through December 2027. This is an AmeriCorps member-level position, not a staff position. Participants must arrange their own housing, preferably near the crew location; the program is not residential. Applicants must be ages 18–30, or up to age 35 for veterans.

Field crews work outdoors on conservation and natural-resource projects, which may include invasive species management, stream-bank stabilization and erosion control, prescribed burning, trail construction and maintenance, tree planting, basic carpentry, wildland fire suppression, and emergency response. Projects are conducted with public land-management agencies and other partners, and may take place in urban or wilderness settings throughout the Midwest. Depending on location and project needs, as much as 90% of assignments may be out of town and require camping for 4–12 consecutive days. Special assignments, including wildfire and other emergency responses, may require deployments of several weeks.

Crews generally include four or five members. Crew Leaders provide day-to-day leadership and are the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff; both Leaders and Members are supervised by two Regional Managers. The Crew Leader is responsible for crew service and safety during projects and helps ensure members receive training and a positive, safe service experience. AmeriCorps members may not approve official documents, participate directly in project acquisition or contracting, or discipline other members. Leaders may guide members, facilitate meetings, motivate the crew, and uphold service-site safety policies; policy violations and disciplinary actions are handled by Corps staff.

Members should expect at least 40 service hours per week. A typical schedule is Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a mandatory 30-minute lunch break that does not count toward service hours. Schedules vary by location and position. The Corps provides orientation and skills training, with additional region- or project-specific training depending on project needs and service-term length.

Monthly pre-tax living allowances are $2,500 for Crew Leaders and $2,400 for Crew Members. The program also offers an education award, training and certifications, networking, a gear lending library, access to an Employee Assistance Program, health insurance, childcare assistance, student loan forbearance for qualifying loans, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for the service term.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Must be ages 18–30, or age 35 or younger for veterans.
• Must pass a criminal history check, including a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing is defined as no positive NSOPW hits and no history of violent offenses on state or FBI checks.
• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work toward obtaining a GED.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs.
• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out-of-town assignments and emergency response.
• Commitment to the CCMI mission and dedication to completing the full AmeriCorps service term.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work for long days of 8–12 hours, using hand and power tools.
• Ability to lift, bend, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk and work on steep or uneven terrain and in all weather conditions.
• Some members may be required by project hosts to pass the arduous Work Capacity Test, depending on location and project.
• Crew Leaders: Ability to lead and support crew members in completing projects safely and effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Crew Leader: Experience or education in natural-resource management, habitat restoration, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Complete natural-resource service projects safely, effectively, and efficiently with fellow members and to the project host’s specifications.
• Follow Corps safety regulations, applicable laws, and OSHA requirements; communicate safety concerns and incidents.
• Complete the entire service term according to the start and end dates in the Member Service Agreement.
• Uphold the Corps mission and represent Conservation Corps positively in public.
• Maintain a positive attitude, learn new skills, and contribute to community service.
• Complete and approve timecards, reports, and other required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Crew Leaders: Take responsibility for crew safety and training to promote a safe service ethic and prevent accidents and injuries.
• Crew Leaders: Organize daily operations to ensure efficient work and high-quality standards.
• Crew Leaders: Provide fair, supportive leadership that helps members learn service and life skills and perform effectively.
• Crew Leaders: Lead a crew of four or five members and serve as the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff.
• Crew Leaders: Coordinate crew service and safety during projects and help ensure a positive and safe experience.

Benefits

• Monthly pre-tax living allowance of $2,500 for Field Crew Leaders or $2,400 for Field Crew Members.
• Education award of $7,395 for the 1,700-hour service term.
• Training, certifications, and networking.
• Access to a gear lending library.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Health insurance.
• Childcare assistance.
• Student loan forbearance on qualifying student loans.
• Service term eligible to count toward the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED