Maajii-akii-Gikenjigewin Field Crew Leader

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa • Cloquet, MN

1d • $2,600 - $2,600 • Onsite

About The Position

The Maajii-akii-gikenjigewin (Starting out in Earth Conservation) Crew Leader is an AmeriCorps member-level position supporting conservation and service projects on the Fond du Lac Reservation and within the 1837, 1842, and 1854 ceded territories. The crew works with Fond du Lac Resource Management professionals on projects that may include invasive species management, community gardening, prescribed-burn preparation, trail construction and maintenance, tree planting, habitat restoration, wildland fire suppression, wildlife monitoring, and emergency response. The work supports ecosystem conservation and restoration, outdoor access for Fond du Lac Band members, Tribal youth engagement in conservation, and locally led conservation efforts that respect Tribal sovereignty and cultural knowledge.

The Crew Leader leads a crew of up to four Crew Members and serves as the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff. The position is responsible for coordinating the crew’s work, training, safety, and service experience. The Crew Leader begins two weeks before the rest of the field crew for one-on-one training with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) staff. Training takes place on the Reservation and in ceded territories, in office and outdoor settings. The Crew Leader and Crew Members are supervised by CCMI staff. This is an AmeriCorps member role, not a staff position; members cannot approve official documents, participate directly in project acquisition or contracting, or discipline other members.

The typical schedule is 40 hours per week, 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. Overnight travel of four to five consecutive days is sometimes required. Special assignments, including wildfire and other emergency response, and community events may involve deployments lasting several weeks or occasional Friday or Saturday commitments. The position is not residential; participants must secure their own housing, preferably near the crew location. The service term runs February 15, 2027, through September 23, 2027.

Requirements

• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions.
• Commitment to the Corps values of safety, justice, stewardship, community, and leadership.
• Dedication to completing the full AmeriCorps service term.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and project needs.
• Ability to perform project work safely while wearing required personal protective equipment, including a hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed work boots, and hearing protection when using loud equipment.
• 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 outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Flexible schedule for week-long out-of-town assignments and emergency response.
• Experience or education in natural resource management, habitat restoration, or related fields.
• Must possess or be able to acquire a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License; CCMI provides training and support to obtain the license.
• Familiarity with or willingness to become acquainted with Fond du Lac community resources and services.
• 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.
• AmeriCorps program is for members ages 18–30, as stated in the Other Information section; the position listing also identifies the role as ages 18+.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in hand and power tool safety.

Responsibilities

• Complete natural-resources service projects safely, effectively, efficiently, and according to project-host specifications.
• Follow Fond du Lac and Conservation Corps safety regulations, applicable laws, and OSHA requirements; communicate safety concerns and incidents.
• Contribute to the team and represent Fond du Lac and Conservation Corps positively in public.
• Complete the full service term stated in the Member Service Agreement.
• Complete and approve timecards, reports, and other required paperwork promptly.
• Be responsible for crew safety and training to promote a safe service ethic and prevent accidents and injuries.
• Organize daily operations to support efficient work and high-quality standards.
• Lead the crew so members are treated fairly, develop service and life skills, and perform efficiently.
• Share information about crew projects and community events through daily Survey of Accomplished Work paperwork to increase awareness of the program.
• Provide training, education, coordination, and leadership for a crew of up to four members.
• Serve as the primary liaison between project hosts and program staff.
• Participate in conservation projects such as invasive species management, gardening, prescribed-burn preparation, trail work, tree planting, habitat restoration, wildland fire suppression, wildlife monitoring, and emergency response.

Benefits

• Living allowance of $2,600 per month before taxes ($2,500 living stipend plus $100 specialty program payment).
• Education award eligibility based on enrollment type and minimum service hours; listed awards range from $416.17 for 100 hours to $7,395 for 1,700 hours.
• Access to an outdoor clothing library.
• Student loan forbearance on qualifying student loans.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Service term may count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Health insurance.
• Childcare assistance.
• Training, certifications, and networking.

What This Job Offers

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