Field Specialist - Springfield, MO

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa•Eminence, MO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The AmeriCorps Field Specialist provides training, education, coordination, and leadership to AmeriCorps members and other participants. The role supports member development and program success through teamwork and service-learning, while responding to guidance and feedback from the Field Coordinator, program staff, and project hosts. Field Specialists also serve alongside members on natural resources projects, which may include invasive species management, stream-bank stabilization and erosion control, prescribed burning, trail construction and maintenance, tree planting, basic carpentry, rain-garden maintenance, 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. This is an AmeriCorps member-level position, not a staff position. Members may not approve official documents, participate directly in project acquisition or contracting, or discipline other members. They may guide members, facilitate crew meetings, motivate and recognize participants, and uphold on-site safety policies; policy violations and disciplinary action are handled by Corps staff. The service term is 1,700 hours, running January through December 2027. Members should expect at least 40 service hours per week; schedules vary and may include early starts or Saturdays. Overnight travel of 4–12 consecutive days is often required, and some emergency-response assignments may involve deployments lasting several weeks. This is not a residential program, and participants must secure their own housing, preferably near the crew location. The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year, with additional training depending on project needs. Potential training topics include AmeriCorps benefits, teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, safety and risk management, power and hand tools, firefighting, first aid/CPR/AED, defensive driving, trailer operation, invasive species management, plant identification, and Leave No Trace principles.

Requirements

Working knowledge of conservation project management in disciplines such as timber stand improvement, trail construction, GIS/GPS surveying, rain-garden installation, habitat restoration, and prairie or forest management.
Experience with hand- and power-tool safety and use, and small-engine repair.
Experience in tree felling and chainsaw operations, construction, and mechanical skills.
Current First Aid/CPR certificate or better.
Previous leadership experience, including coordinating and implementing training.
Effective communication skills and ability to multitask and be flexible in responsibilities.
Flexible schedule to accommodate weekend programming, out-of-town assignments, and emergency response.
Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs.
Commitment to the CCMI mission and to completing the full AmeriCorps service term.
Ability to perform physically demanding service functions, including 8–12-hour workdays; use of hand and power tools; lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds; walking and working on steep or uneven terrain; and working in all weather conditions.
Some members, depending on location and project, may be required to pass the arduous Work Capacity Test.
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
Must pass a criminal history check, including National Sex Offender Public Website, state criminal history, and fingerprint-based FBI checks; 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.
Valid driver’s license and safe driving record, with no major moving violations or DUI convictions in the past five years.
Missouri Field Specialists may be required by project hosts to obtain an Iowa Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License; the Corps may provide training and support case by case if required.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience with youth and/or young adults.
Previous AmeriCorps experience.
Education or experience in a related field.

Responsibilities

Coordinate service projects and assist with project management, including training, site safety visits, technical project assistance, filling in for short-handed crews, shuttling equipment, and coaching Crew Leaders.
Work with project hosts and Crew Leaders to establish schedules, daily plans, tasks, tools, and responsibilities so projects are completed efficiently, safely, and consistently.
Provide or coordinate skills, project-specific, and crew-operations training, including team building, communication, conflict resolution, and, in some programs, youth development and leadership facilitation.
Demonstrate on-the-job practices for crews beginning new projects or using specialized tools.
Complete natural resources service projects safely and effectively with fellow members, meeting project-host specifications.
Follow Corps safety regulations, applicable laws, and OSHA requirements, and communicate safety concerns and incidents.
Support member development and help members achieve personal and program success through teamwork and service-learning.
Complete the full service term according to the Member Service Agreement.
Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in a timely manner.
Maintain and track equipment and ensure proper maintenance of Corps fleets and equipment, including maintaining logs and records.
Uphold the Corps mission.