Crew Member - Alabama Conservation Gulfcorps

Student Conservation Association • Mobile, AL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

As part of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) Alabama Conservation Corps (ALCC) team, you’ll serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer alongside 8 young adults to carry out restoration projects in coastal Alabama as part of the GulfCorps Program. GulfCorps aims to provide individuals with training and experience in conservation work skills while supporting coastal AL restoration projects in partnership with municipal, state, federal, and nonprofit partners. Projects will include invasive management, trail work, litter abatement, fire break maintenance, and boardwalk construction/repairs. The crew will start and begin each day at the Mobile office and then travel to the project site for the day in SCA vehicles. Service projects will take place outdoors in the elements and will at times require heavy lifting (~50 lb.), hiking, and operating equipment such as chainsaws and brush cutters. The program also includes a workforce development program, which provides industry recognized certifications and training in professional development topics such as resume building and interview skills. Professional development activities ranging from workshops, presentations, and independent assignments will be scheduled out each month with the goal of supporting placement post program. Participants will have the opportunities to grow competitive skills in the field of natural resource management and to prepare for entry into the workforce after their term of service. Participation in professional development is a requirement of the program. Disaster Response Deployments may also be an option for those interested. Deployments would last 4-5 weeks and include intensive work schedules (50-60 hrs/week) in unpredictable environments, under the guidance and supervision of SCA staff working with the disaster response agency assigned Incident Commander. Work can include but not be limited to evacuation shelter assistance, donation center management, volunteer management, clean-up efforts, "mucking and gutting" in private residences, debris removal, Saw and/or rigging work, public information outreach, plantings and other natural area restorations.

Requirements

• Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer. This includes: 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; Being wiling to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks;
• No previous experience is required for this position.
• Willingness to communicate the perceived presence of safety hazards through visual and auditory means;
• Willingness to lift 50 lbs., and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 5 miles;
• Willingness to serve in environmental conditions that will include extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation;

Nice To Haves

• Interest in hands-on, outdoor service activities
• Interest in pursuing a career in conservation or a related field
• Ability to work as part of team to complete hands on outdoor projects

Responsibilities

• Commitment to serving as part of a productive team in an outdoor setting for the full term of service
• Vegetation management, including trail maintenance, fire break maintenance, and plantings.
• Repairs and construction of structures such as boardwalks, wildlife enclosures, and decking
• Identification and removal of invasive species in field, using mechanical and chemical methods
• Operation of hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities
• Tool maintenance and rehabilitation
• Collection and compilation of project data
• Ability to take initiative to complete the task at hand as directed and without prompting
• Interpersonal and professional conduct with crew, staff, and project partners
• Active participation in training sessions and interest in self-development
• Litter abatement and debris removal
• Educational outreach
• Support in the planning and implemenation of community clean ups

Benefits

• AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of program.
• Member Assistance Program
• Trainings provided: Wilderness First Aid, Wildland Chainsaw (S212), Wildland Firefighter (Red card), and SCA Leadership Development Training.
• Wilderness First Aid Training

What This Job Offers

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