Crew Member- Cleveland Community Young Tree Care Team

Student Conservation Association•Cleveland, OH

27d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of SCA’s National Direct Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI), a partnership between SCA, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network. OYSI engages young people 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. The SCA's Cleveland Tree Care Team works to maintain Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team partners with community groups on tree care needs, including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, staking, and fencing, invasive plant removal, general site maintenance, and tracking. The crew will also engage with the local community and partner organizations by supporting related community tree care projects, sharing information about the benefits trees provide, and additional community engagement projects. The Cleveland Tree Care Team will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 Team Leader. Members will be transported in an SCA vehicle to their work sites each day. The team will work together through a variety of weather conditions, primarily outdoors. Members should be able to perform physical labor outdoors for up to 8 hours per day and lift and carry 50 lbs or more. Members can expect regular informal interaction with the public. Team members will be supervised in the field by an experienced SCA Team Leader and are expected to be respectful, on-time, hardworking, and aware of conditions to ensure a safe service environment. Members will make a difference to the survival and growth of Cleveland's tree canopy by providing care and watering to recently planted trees. They will serve alongside other young adults and volunteer community members to conduct hands-on conservation projects, including tree maintenance and watering, invasive species removal, and ongoing land stewardship work. Team members will receive certifications and opportunities for future leadership and career opportunities in urban and community forestry and conservation.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older
Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.
Commitment to serving as a productive team member; demonstrating strong interpersonal and professional skills.
Commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement and SCA Corps Member Handbook.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with staff, crew leaders, and members;
Function as part of a team;
Understand verbal and/or written communication;
Must be dependable, flexible, and cooperative;
Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand without prompting;
Accepting of leadership and supervisory authority;
Completes tasks appropriately and in a timely manner.
Work together as a team to complete projects, sustaining a productive workplace culture;
Engage respectfully with community members to advance urban tree canopy equity and build trust;
Participate in related forestry projects and events in collaboration with land managing partners
Ability to lift 50 lbs, and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 5 miles.
Hike up to 5 miles, often while carrying a backpack, tools, and equipment
Lift heavy objects up to 50 pounds
Maintain and plant trees in qualifying census tracts, advancing environmental justice and sustaining Cleveland's urban tree canopy;
Ability to perform duties in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain
Ability to communicate the presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means.
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.
Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of program time.
Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including internal or external, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, chaps, and appropriate footwear.
Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
If using prescription medications, able to self-medicate by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance (except possibly at the direction of higher medical authority in emergency situations).
Able to independently carry a backpack weighing approximately 45% of body weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions
Able to lift a backpack weighing 45% of body weight with minimal assistance from others.
Able to grip a third point of contact for balance purposes when crossing rivers or streams, and ascending and/or descending slopes.
Able to independently carry a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight for a minimum of 5 miles and a maximum of 15 miles with adequate breaks dependent on weather, terrain, and trail conditions.
Able to lift a backpack weighing up to or approximately 30% of body weight, with minimal assistance from others.

Nice To Haves

Interest in hands-on, outdoor service activities is preferred.
Interest in pursuing a career in conservation or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Watering young trees
Young tree training and pruning
Mulching
Staking and fencing
Invasive plant removal
General site maintenance
Tracking tree care needs
Engage with the local community and partner organizations
Support related community tree care projects
Share information about the benefits trees provide
Participate in community engagement projects centered on collaboration, learning, and the forest
Assist with tracking and reporting on participant and program data
Assist with maintenance and management of program supplies and materials
Assists with inspection and maintenance of program vehicles
Supports coordination of transportation, safety protocols, accessibility needs, and other supplies for programs

Benefits

Living allowance: $600/week
Commuting allowance: $150/week
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35
Eligible for childcare assistance through AmeriCorps
Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans
AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation
Intercultural Competency certificate course
Master Rain Gardener with Chagrin River Watershed Partners
SCA Risk Management
Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
Workforce Development, Job Readiness, and mentorship (regular, interactive trainings monthly)
Introduction to conservation organizations and individuals in Cleveland; opportunity to network